Broken Over Sin

James 4:9 ESV

Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Main Point: All men should broken over their sins as we continue to draw near to the Holy King.

Immediate context: Turning away from sin both outwardly and inwardly (James 4:8)

David’s Lament of Sin (Ps. 51)

The Prayer

God’s mercy upon him (Ps 51:1)

God’s removal of his transgressions and guilt (Ps. 51:1,2,7,9,14)

God’s restoration of his joy in Him (Ps. 51:8,12)

God’s renewal of spirit unto him (Ps. 51:10)

God’s retention of His Spirit in him (Ps. 51:11)

God’s rendering him able to praise Him (Ps. 51:15,16)

God’s refuge of Israel (Ps. 51:18)

Commands Regarding Past Sin Life

be wretched (understood the vileness of sin and has taken its effect in the heart that comes outwardly)

mourn & weep (visible effect of inward conflict)

lament (turn laughter, joy into sorrow)

Implications of the Four-piece Command

negative viewpoint over sin (Matt 5:29, 18:9; Mark 9:47)

negative viewpoint of past sin life (unlike the Israelites in the wilderness — Numbers 11:18)

positive viewpoint on sorrow in regards to sin and its effects in one’s spiritual life and audience before God the King — the only prescribed negativity (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)

The Upside to this Sorrow — Verse 10, next time

Gleanings

Have a change of true heart over sin because of Christ — there are no pet sins; all sins required Christ’s blood. (1 Pet3:18)

Truly grieve over sin! Our sin, sin we see in other people’s lives and the effects of sin in everyone. Sin may be desirable but it is not glamorous or rewarding. Rather, it is lethal. (James 1:15)

Prove the purity of our faith — let our hearts not be filled with sin and become double-minded, double-pledged to sin and God (James 2:18)

Reflect!

What is our true view of sin? How is our view proven by our daily actions, decisions, thoughts?