Spring Cleaning our Messy Hearts

This new season means it is time for spring cleaning! It’s great to clean your windows and wipe the dust off of your counters, but have we considered spring cleaning our hearts? Shana Shutte from Focus on the Family has a very insightful article about confessing our sins to God and others.

“Sure, this can be uncomfortable. But if I follow God’s command in I John 1:9 (If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.), that can bless me in ways I never imagined. It can bless you, too.”

1. Confession is a way to give—and receive—deeper love.
2. Confession relieves us from the lie that we have to be perfect
3. Confession is a reason to rejoice

For the entire article, click here!

Shana also mentions some Questions for Confession for our hearts and minds to ponder:

Question: Do lustful, unclean thoughts frequently enter your mind? Do you watch programs on television that stimulate improper thoughts or feelings?

Scripture: Matthew 5:28

Question: Do your affections primarily revolve around people or things other than Jesus? Are you more passionate about earthly things than Christ? What things primarily fill your thoughts?

Scripture: Psalms 1:2

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Question: Do you do things to draw attention to yourself? Do you promote yourself and tend to put others down? Do you think only in terms of your own needs and desires?

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

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Question: Do you often gripe and complain about your situation in life? Do you fail to give God thanks?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:10

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Question: Do you ever speak slang or swear words that are inappropriate? Do you use God’s name in vain?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29

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Question: Do you harbor bitterness toward anyone? Have you refused to forgive someone who has wronged you?

Scripture: Matthew 18:35, Ephesians 4:31, 1 Corinthians 1:10

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Question: Do you make excuses why you cannot serve God? Are you content to be served rather than serve?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:8

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Question: Have you committed any form of sexual immorality or uncleanness?

Scripture: Ephesians 5:5

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Question: Do you think you are quite spiritual? Do you often criticize and judge others?

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5

If God has shown you that you are guilty of any of these sins, rejoice that you are forgiven and that Christ died for any and all sins that you have committed (Isaiah 1:18). And remember—you can do a “spring cleaning of the heart” during any season of life.

Shana Schutte is a freelance writer, author and speaker living in Colorado Springs, Colo. (www.runtogodministries.org)