Lisa Notes: Vomit of the soul

Vomit of the soul

I’m sorry.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry.

How many times a week do you say it?

How many times a week should you say it?
To those in your house or at your job or wherever you find yourself.

To God.
How often do you tell God, “I’m sorry”?

Sometimes people think of repentance as a one-time act, something they did way back when they were first saved and never had to do again. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Our life as believers should be one of continual repentance.

We sin daily, and so we should repent, confess, and forsake sin, daily.

…One church father explained that confession is the vomit of the soul.
~ WAYNE MACK, JOSHUA MACK, The Fear Factor

1. Sin.

2. Repent.

3. Confess.

4. Forsake sin.

Until we break free from #1,
we must repeat #2 and #3 and #4.

Often.

Lord, help us, every one.

* * *

Comments (22)

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floyd · 715 weeks ago

I needed this reminder today. I do pretty well at asking God for forgiveness, but sometimes I forget to apologize to the ones I can be a bit harsh with.

I need to repent to God for my constant shortcomings, but I also need to drop my pride and say sorry to the closest ones to me as well.

Thanks Lisa, this one hit me like a hammer...

1 reply · active 715 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 715 weeks ago

You’re not alone, Floyd. The whole imagery of “vomit of the soul” hit me hard too. If there’s anything I hate to do, it’s catch a virus and throw up. But I always feel so much better as soon as I do it.

So if I think of confession like that – it’ rarely pleasant at the time, but we sure feel good when we’re done.

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barbarah 65p · 715 weeks ago

When I was struggling with assurance of my salvation, one of the things I wrestled with was whether I had repented "enough." Something along these same lines was in a book called, I think, Full Assurance by H. A. Ironside, and it helped me a lot to realize that repentance is a continual thing rather than a one-time issue. It is sad, though, in one way that we DO have something to continually repent of.
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1 reply · active 715 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 715 weeks ago

Barbara,
I’m always comforted when I remember those we read about in the New Testament who, in the early days of Christianity, often made such quick conversions. Yet their salvation was secure. I’m glad you found a helpful book. It’s good to know something to recommend to others who may suffer with these kind of doubts.

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Renee · 715 weeks ago

What a word catching title...and so true. Good post Lisa. God bless.

1 reply · active 715 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 715 weeks ago

As soon as I read that quote in “The Fear Factor”, it grabbed me. “Vomit” is one of those words that has feelings attached to it. Unfortunately, we don’t often think of “confession” as one of those words with emotional attachment too, but it should be.

God bless you too, Renee.

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Misty · 715 weeks ago

My pastor just shared a similar message.. we should live repentance filled lives, we aren't perfect. Everyday I repent.. and honestly I am more aware of everything I do and more aware of sin so I (hopefully) don't stumble as often. Thank you for sharing and the reminder.

1 reply · active 715 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 715 weeks ago

Misty,
I love when we get repetition from various sources. I saw somewhere else this week about vomit in relation to spiritual issues; I should have saved it and linked up. (But I don’t want to google “vomit” to find it. ha)

You have a great practice to repent daily. I believe that more of us would sin less if we would be more aware of the sins we already commit. It’s too easy to slide by without thinking of many of them…

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Joan · 715 weeks ago

Lisa:

You are correct, repentance is (should be) something we do daily because we cannot live sinless lives.

I like your reply to Misty that more of us would sin less if we become more aware of the sins we commit.

Blessings,
Joan

1 reply · active 715 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 715 weeks ago

Joan,
It’s a lesson I need to preach to myself. I used to include as part of my regular quiet time to also have a regular “confession” time to specifically think about things I need to repent of and accept forgiveness for. But as my quiet time morphed into different studies, I got away from that regular practice. And I miss it. I’m hoping this will jump-start me to get back into the routine of it.

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Cathy · 715 weeks ago

Thank God that when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We do need to confess when we have sinned.

1 reply · active 714 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 714 weeks ago

Cathy,
1 John 1:9 is a beautiful example of this; thank you for bringing it up. Here are the before and after verses, also applicable.

1 John 1:8-10
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

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Dianna · 714 weeks ago

Such a short post...but such a POWERFUL post, Lisa. Thank you.

1 reply · active 714 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 714 weeks ago

Dianna,
It’s funny how shorter posts can have more of an effect sometimes longer ones.

Proverbs 26:11 was mentioned in our sermon today:

Pro 26:11 “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”

It was only one verse among many, but it had enough of an effect that one of our sisters felt compelled to ask for prayers because of it.

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Sarah · 714 weeks ago

I think I say it alot...too much...I don't want to hurt anyone....but sometimes I do....even God....and that hurts me even more. Thanks for this Lisa....it's awesome and so are you. ☺

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Charlotte · 714 weeks ago

I certainly pray this often. Thank you for this good reminder.

Blessings,

Charlotte

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Esther Joy · 714 weeks ago

"Vomit of the soul" --- Wow! that was a powerful punch line. Never thought about confession in this way, but I am so thankful for 1John1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
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pamela · 714 weeks ago

I suspect the words, "I'm sorry" should be whispered more than I do. I'm thankful God hears the whispers of my heart, forgives then leaves me willing to ask those whose hearts I wounded.

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bekahcubed · 714 weeks ago

Everyone has said what I intended--so I guess all that's left to say is that that is some powerful imagery. If I recognized that my sin induced vomiting, I might be less inclined to go back to it. But so often, my nose and taste is corrupted, such that I return again and again to the same vomit, not noticing its putrid smell.
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Susan · 714 weeks ago

We had revival meetings at our church last week, and the evangelist's theme was Victory Over Sin. He spent much time on repentance and having a heart thoroughly clean before God. Your post was very timely for me!

1 reply · active 714 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 714 weeks ago

That sounds wonderful, Susan. I love when God works on the same theme through multiple avenues. (I’m trying to remember when I’ve heard much time spent on repentance…it’s a definite need!).

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Dr. Bobbi Jo · 714 weeks ago

What a needed post. The Bible tells us to confess our sins one to another. That isn't a reference to sins we committed before we were born again. So true, we sin daily. Our morning prayer and evening prayer should include confession and repentence of sin. Thanks so much and God bless.
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