Rays of Hope

A Book of Encouragement

Accusations

CONFESSION

  Along with the spirit of accusation there often goes a disposition to confess all the deeds of one's life. Satan will bring to your mind some past mistake or sin or failure and tell you that if you do not confess it, you will lose your soul. Then when you go and confess to some one. Satan will turn and accuse you for doing what he impressed you to do and will say that you have made a fool of yourself and that the brother to whom you have confessed will never have confidence in you again. I have known persons under the spirit of accusation to confess publicly to the secret sins of their life, which the Lord had long forgiven and forgotten. Such confession brings shame and disgrace [39] to the cause of Christ and nothing but discouragement to the confessor. The spirit of accusation is a greedy tyrant that cannot be satisfied. The person who tries to confess until the spirit of accusation has been satisfied will find a life long task.

  The Bible teaches that we shall confess our sins, but does not teach that we shall confess them to everybody. Sometimes confession to certain individuals is necessary, and sometimes when a community has been wronged, sinned against, or disgraced, public confession is required. "Confession to whom confession is due" is a good motto. If you have sinned against God and against Him only, then confess your sins to Him alone, and He will be faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. If you have wronged your neighborhood, your brother, your wife, your husband, your children, or your parents, confess your wrong to those whom you have wronged and to them alone. If you have committed sin before the public, have sinned openly, then confess your sin publicly. Remember this and do not let Satan push you over the mark and cause you to bring disgrace upon the cause of Christ and discouragement to your own soul.

  Sometimes people get into such a habit of confessing past deeds that they are seized by an irresistible desire to confess their past life, and their only relief, it seems, is to pour out their confession to somebody who will listen to their tale of woe. I have known dear souls who were as honest as truth to confess under the influence of accusation that they had been hypocrites all their lives. Such confession never benefits anyone.

  I repeat, you cannot satisfy the spirit of accusation, for it will accuse you till you confess and then accuse you for confessing. So there is no end to it, only by saying, "The Lord rebuke thee." To open your heart to a spiritual adviser able to instruct you is often beneficial, but continually confessing, confessing, confessing, is a work of the devil and will only tend to discourage and dishearten you.

  With joy we point to a proffered way of escape for every soul bowed down by the accusing and discouraging powers of the devil. Everyone who will take God's way may be set free, and instead of being depressed by Satan [40] may tread him under foot, for God has promised "power over all the power of the enemy."

  The case of one oppressed with accusation very much reminds us of a certain ship and its crew that were once lost at sea. Having exhausted their fresh water supply, they were famishing with thirst; and on sighting another vessel passing near them, they cried out, "Water! fresh water!" In reply the crew on the passing vessel informed them that they were in the mouth of the Amazon River, and shouted, "Let down your buckets." Had not this lost crew been informed that they were in fresh waters, many might have perished, when help was near.

  The accused and despondent soul is almost famished, and cries out for help, when the waters of life eternal flow so very near. Dear soul, there is help for you; the water of life is offered free, and if you will only drink, you may live.

  There is one rule by which you may always detect the spirit of the devil and distinguish it from the Spirit of God. When the Spirit of God is convicting you of sin, it will point out the wrong so clearly that you will not be left in doubt; but when the devil is accusing, he can never tell what is wrong. You feel very bad, and in every way you may feel like a sinner; but if you do not know that you have transgressed God's written law, stand your grounds and defy the devil. Satan may say that your trials are not like other people's trials, or that they last too long to be trials only; but if you continue to resist him, he must flee. You must be willing to bear trials, for "blessed is the man that endureth temptation." James 1:12. You must learn to "count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations." James 1:2. And "let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:4.

  Yonder is a city of refuge, dear accused and despondent soul, to which you may flee and be safe. It is called Stability, and its streets are paved with victory. In it floats the air of freedom, and all its inhabitants though not without trials, are triumphant. The road which leads to it is perseverance and faith. Flee to it before the slayer strikes the final blow and your soul is lost; for little does [41]

  Satan care whether you lose your soul through accusation or through crime. Start today for the city of refuge, for its gates are open wide to admit the weary soul. Linger not to spend your time in listening to Satan, for he seeks your destruction. Sternly resist him and turn your back upon him forever.

  "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." James 4:7, 8. Some people spend all their time resisting the devil, consequently have no time to draw nigh to God. Resist the devil, leave him with his accusations, ignore him, draw nigh to God; God will draw nigh to you, and victory shall be yours. [42]