"CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS"


A. "WHO CAN UNDERSTAND HIS ERRORS? CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS" - PSALMS 19:12
  1. This prayer by David is most revealing:
    1. It shows that David did not longer trust his own ability to judge or diagnose his own life
    2. He discovered that on many occasions his judgment of his life was faulty
  2. His earnest prayer is worthy:
    1. For serious contemplation by us this evening
    2. Because, many of us have learned through the years that our opinion about our lives was at fault on many occasions and that to our own hurt
B. CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS
  1. Faults:
    1. What do we mean by the word - "faults" Webster defines the word "fault" as lack, neglect, default, a failing, a flaw, a blemish, a failure to do what is right
    2. To me a fault is an error in judgment, a miscalculation, a weakness that is harmful; a blemish that is noticeable an error that is harmful to us and others
  2. Note, please, that the Psalmist uses the word "Fault" in the plural - "faults":
    1. This is thought-provoking; it indicates that men are faulty - more than one fault - many faults
    2. Faults of character, of speech, of judgment, of performance, faults before God and before men
    3. Close scrutiny will lead us to the conclusion that the best of us has nothing to boast of but our infirmities - 2 Cor. 12:5; Heb. 4:15
  3. Perverted judgment:
    1. Man's natural inclinations are ever to see and pass judgment on the faults of the other fellow - Matt. 7:1-5
    2. This has characterized the human race beginning with our first parents - Gen. 3:12-13
    3. This is the one weakness we all are tempted with and must fight it all times
C. "CLEANSE THOU ME FROM SECRET FAULTS"
  1. Faults that are unknown:
    1. To others - faults which I am personally aware of, but which I keep from being seen by others
    2. These faults are dangerous and deadly in their very nature
    3. Of course, they are an open book to God - Ps. 139:1-6
  2. Faults which are seen by others:
    1. Of which we ourselves may be unaware of - Examples: Think of how angry David was over the cruelty of the man that took the little ewe lamb of a man and used it to satisfy his own selfishness - 2 Sam. 12:1-7; then think of the prayer of the Pharisee - Luke 18:11-12
    2. How important it is that we have a close connection with the Lord and pray as David did, "Search me, O God, and know my heart try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" - Ps. 139:23-24
  3. Faults that are known to God alone:
    1. There are faults in my life which are known only to God because he knows all things; to Him my life is like an open book at all times
    2. Yet they are faults, and they will keep me out of the kingdom of God, unless they are corrected
  4. "Cleanse thou me"
    1. Make them known to me and then give me the grace to remove them out of my life
    2. Whatever it takes to set me free from my secret faults; whatever means the Lord needs to remove them - let Him decide
    3. He may have to cleanse me in the furnace of affliction - Is. 48:10
    4. Or he may allow persecution to be the means of freeing me
    5. Or it may be that He will give me the power to overcome these faults - just so I will be free from them


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