1 John 1:8-10

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. If we say that we have not sinned, we make a liar out of God, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)

Three points:

1. Deceive ourselves.

It is bad enough to be deceived, but to deceive ourselves is the worst. We deceive ourselves when we turn from the truth, the obvious, rejecting what we know.

2. There is NO truth in us.

What a horrible statement. No Truth! What horror. It is the first and most basic thing--we are sinners (breaking God's Law--the Ten Commandments, in thought, word, deed, and desire).

3. The necessity of confession.

We confess our sins to God. We sin against God; God is the Judge, and we make confession to Him. He will forgive. He wants to forgive. He loves to forgive those who ask. We need to humble ourselves to acknowledge our sin and ask for forgiveness.