Are you tired of outdated campaign signs? Join the crowd. Today's New York Times gives us the unsettling news that more than 20 million signs were used in the recent election. A typical statewide candidate will buy 10,000 to 50,000 of them. They cost about a dollar each--but that's before nine states imposed new restrictions and fines of up to $50 for each outdated sign. "Trash on a stick" is how one critic describes them.

It's easy to spot such public violations of decency and decorum. "Vote for Kinky" posters around Texas have little redeeming value (though I enjoyed their campaign slogan: "How hard can it be?"). Private sins are a different matter. Why spend time on personal transgressions which no one else sees? Because they never stay that way. David's lustful thoughts led to lustful actions which led to lying and murder. Sin always takes us further than we wanted to go, keeps us longer than we wanted to stay, and costs us more than we wanted to pay. Junk in the garage today shows up in the den tomorrow.

How do we clean out the trash which gathers in the mind and spirit? It's hard to confess sin we don't see. But the God of the universe sees what is in our hearts, the attitudes and motives which may be subconscious now but turn into malignancy of the soul. Scripture is clear: "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

How do we ask him to show us the unseen sins we must confess? Take a piece of paper and a few minutes alone with God. Ask his Spirit to show you anything which is wrong in your heart, any sin blocking your relationship with him. Write down whatever comes to mind. Trust your Father to reveal whatever needs to be confessed. Repent of the sins he shows you, deciding that you want to change. Ask for his forgiveness, and for the power to resist this sin when it tempts you again.

Claim his promise: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Know that he will "hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19). Accept his pledge: "I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more" (Jeremiah 31:34).

Now throw away your paper, and rejoice in the cleansing grace of God. Conduct such a spiritual inventory regularly. You may be astonished at the unknown sins God reveals. But you will walk in his peace and presence when you clean out the private sins which steal your joy. How long has it been since you made this investment in your soul?

Copyright © 2006. Godissues.com. All rights reserved.