58 CONFESS QUICKLY; REPENT THOROUGHLY AND SINCERELY

Don’t procrastinate. The longer hurt lingers the deeper the wound and the harder it is for healing to come.

Sure it’s hard to confess right when you hurt your mate. But confession is empowered by walking in the light. You are walking in the light and fellowshipping with Jesus. As soon as you sin, the Holy Spirit shows you what that sin is.

You know when you sin either in words or actions. You know when you have hurt your mate the moment you do it, so why not repent right away? Don’t give the seeds of hurt a chance to grow. When you repent thoroughly, ask for forgiveness, being as specific as possible. For example, “I ask you to forgive me for______.” When you need to repent and procrastinate, consider all the bad things that can happen:

Your spouse is hurt or offended.

You carry guilt around for days or weeks.

Your marriage relationship stagnates.

Your work suffers.

Your prayer life dries up.

Your relationship with God is hindered.

Try this: Give your mate permission to ask for your repentance at any time and in any situation.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7–8