RECOVERING FROM A FALL (1) – THE DENIAL STAGE

There was a person caught in the web of adultery. There was evidence of an affair all over. When caught, this person cried and even went ahead to confess that if not for the fact that the affair was exposed, it would have been very hard to stop. Some days later, the story changed, that it was just a test for the spouse, and it was all staged. This was apparently an afterthought. Weeks later, the “staged drama” became a visible reality. 

There are times when a believer is confronted about their sin, and they deny or shift responsibility. They find all sorts of justification for their wrongdoing. 

King Saul is an example of someone who denied that he did anything wrong. He was seeking justification for what he did. When King Saul fell into the sin of rebellion, he was confronted.  His response was in stages. 

He shifted the blame. He refused to bear responsibility. He blamed the army. He even spiced it up by saying they would “bribe” God with a sacrifice.  

1 Samuel 15:14-15 NLT

[14] “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded. [15] “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.”

He stayed in his denial and blame shifting. He insisted that he did nothing wrong. 

1 Samuel 15:20-21 NLT

[20] “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. [21] Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”

He eventually admitted after much confrontation about the matter. He even sought forgiveness. 

1 Samuel 15:24-25 NLT

[24] Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. [25] But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord.”

But his sin was not just the fact that he did not carry out God’s instruction. His real issue was his pride. It was just about him alone. He wanted to still appear like nothing was wrong. He was not broken at all. 

1 Samuel 15:30 NLT

[30] Then Saul pleaded again, “I know I have sinned. But please, at least honour me before the elders of my people and before Israel by coming back with me so that I may worship the Lord your God.” 

There are people like Saul. They always find a justification for what they did. They never get to admit their wrong. Even when they admit, it is with a tone of “they made me do it”. There is no brokenness at all. 

There is no justification for falling into sin. You are not ready for restoration if you do not admit in brokenness that you are wrong. It is godly sorrow that leads to repentance. 

Are you remorseful because you were caught, or are you remorseful because you know you have sinned, dishonoured God and the parties involved? Are you trying to bribe the Lord with good deeds so the bad things can go away? 

Like David, are you trying hard to use sacrifices and burnt offerings to replace confession? It does not work! 

What did the Lord say? 

Proverbs 28:13 GNT

[13] You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.

Will you hide and deny, or will you admit it?