The Effect of Unconfessed Sin

By Pastor Olumide Akinrinlola

Sin is a reproach in our lives. It is doing anything unbecoming of a child of God. Proverb 14: 34

We have three categories of sin : personal sin, parental sin and ancestral sin.

Personal sin – This is sin you committed yourself.

Parental sin – Parental sin are sins of our parents.

Ancestral sin – These are sins of our ancestors.

What then are unconfessed sins ? These are sins not yet confessed unto God for forgiveness and cleansing.

“And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah ch 1 vs 15-18).

If you read Isaiah chapter 1 to the end, you will understand the above passage very well. It revealed that the Israelites had a problem with God, they and their parents with their ancestors have sin against God. But instead of them to confess before God, they were making many prayers and offering sacrifices and burnt offerings to bribe God.

But God says if they spread forth their hands and pray many prayers that he will not hear them because their hands are full of blood (sin).

He later gave them conditions that they should wash themselves and become clean. To wash and become clean in this context means to confess and ask for forgiveness. There is no soap or water that washes away sin except the blood of Jesus.

This is why many Christians do not get answers to their prayers due to the effect of unconfessed sin. Some people will keep fasting and doing unnecessary deliverance as if God is having ear problem. The Bible says that many are dying due to lack of knowledge. Hosea 4vs6.

Some of us, our parents and ancestors have committed grievous sin against God and our generation is suffering from it today due to lack of understanding to confess these sins before God.

Many are used to the normal confession of their personal sin and as such, do not have understanding that parental and ancestral sin can be another hindrance to prayers .

Bible confirmed that the Lord vows to visit the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6-7 Deuteronomy 5:8-10)

The bible also confirmed how possible the sins of our father can hinder us :”Because of their iniquity, and also because of the iniquities of their fathers they shall rot away like them.” (Leviticus 26:39)

What then are the effects of unconfessed sin?

– Inherited curses.
– Inherited boundage.
-It could enslave a christian.
– Mercy of God can be hindered, exodus 20 vs 5.
-Lack of achievement, psalm 11vs 39.
-It could wail against your destiny and progress like the blood of Abel against Cain.
– It causes spiritual limitations and obstacles.

What is the way out : Ask God for mercy. Confess all sins, forsake them, and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and start a new life.

I told you..

Say : Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sin. Forgive me. (confess your sin) I accept you today as my Lord and Saviour, come into my life, and remain there forever. Amen.