You are in a conversation with a friend and, before you know it, you are talking about another friend, who isn’t there. Is that gossip? You’ve been thinking about your spouse and have built up an expectation about what will happen when you see each other. But, it doesn’t happen the way you expected, you’re disappointed, so you pull back, or become angry and/or accusatory of his/her lack of affection for you. Is that falsely accusing? You become angry with neighbors who can’t keep their dog from messing in your yard; and, you entertain hateful thoughts of retaliation. Is that murder?
The thoughts and “hidden agendas” that we entertain in the “secret place” of our minds and hearts, may not even be consciously recognized by us. These fleshly “rites” that exert themselves over the unexpressed activity of thought, are “faults” in our personality, created by the sinful nature in each of us. We may be ignorant of their appearance until after they have been active for awhile. Yet, our spirits know they are there, and our conscience is pricked with shame or guilt. Thank God, we can appeal to Him to “acquit” us! And, “He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” even the “hidden faults.” The good news is, every time we acknowledge and confess the “hidden faults,” God cleanses but He also strengthens us to resist the reoccurrence. Selah.