Wait, you too?
Emma Stender
I was a sophomore in college, sitting in my friend's apartment after bible study with 3 women who devoted their lives to Jesus, and had been my mentors for the past year. My heart was pounding, and my hands were shaking, because I KNEW I had to tell them. I knew I had to tell them my secret sin that I had been hiding from every person in my life for 5+ years. Easier said than done, but I felt as if I couldn't move my body from the chair to go home until I confessed. So that's exactly what I did, I opened my mouth and I said it. When I finally did say it, the CRAZIEST thing happened...they didn't laugh, or blank stare at me like I was some sick person.
They got up, and hugged my crying self.
I was shocked, because they weren't.
How were they not freaking out, wasn't I the only person (girl) to ever struggle with this? Because if I WAS the only person to ever struggle with this sin, I would think they would be a little more shocked. That's what I heard in my head...that's why I didn't share sooner, I was told from the devil that they would laugh, stare, judge me, condemn me, etc.
BUT
When I told them I struggled with pornogrpahy & masterbation for years they didn't do any of those things.
We did what James 5 told us to do, I confessed, they prayed.
That was the first time I had ever told anyone about my secret sin that controlled my life. I felt the weight of the world lifted off my chest. I could breathe again.
Fast forward some years after...I am now free of the shame and guilt that weighed me down because of my actions. I didn't let the devil take control of my life because I wasn't keeping it in anymore. You see when you keep things in your mind, it allows the devil to toll with you more, the thoughts fester in your head. When you speak to them in the light it's easier to have the Lord do a work for you. When you speak it out with people, you create an army of people to fight together.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 speaks on this well
I started to turn the sin that held me down for so many years into a testimony that would bring light to those who are in a spot that would rescue them as well. I prayed for more ways to minister to girls who struggled with the same thing, because that was my biggest lie...that I was the ONLY girl to struggle with this sin. I learned very quickly that was a lie, after the Lord provided me with a place to minster to hundreds of women online. I spoke about what the lord rescued me through, and I got a lot of responses, most started with this…
“Wait…you too?”
So I'm here to tell you..YES me too…
The devil has NO control over you, if you have a secret sin inside of you that is burning you down, and weighing you down from living out your FULL God given potential. Then today is your day to live out James 5 and confess your sin, and bring it into the light. I grew up in the church and the term “confess your sin” always had a weird sitting with me because it made me feel like I was burdened and less like this is going to FREE you. If you grew up in a church that you feel like confession is something that will hurt you more than heal you, I am here to tell you that is NOT what Jesus died on the cross for. He died for you to take steps every day with a distinct JOY that is only carried by the freedom held in Jesus.
Ephesians 2:1 says...“as for YOU, you WERE (past tense) dead in your transgressions and sins in which you USED to live.”
Jump to verse 4, it reads... “but because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.”
I am here to share with you today that when you confess your sins, and repent from the way you used to live, the Lord will do a new work for you. The bible says the OLD is gone and the NEW has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Step into freedom today, knowing you're not alone in your sin.
I am here for you as well, this is only the beginning for you.
I am SO excited for where the Lord is going to take you.
Follow Emma on Ig @Emma.stender
