How To Fight Sin Like David
Psalm 38, the weight of sin, and how daily repentance leads to real freedom
I have the absolute honor and privilege of having a community of guys who receive me with humility and love when I confess my sin. But it wasn't always like that.
There was a season when I was chastised and called out. With good intentions, I would say. The correction came from someone calling me higher. But if you're alone in your sin—that’s not how it's supposed to be.
As I read Psalm 38, I was overwhelmed by the sheer offense David felt over his sin, and convicted at the same time. As I zoomed out, I recognized the deep, burning hatred I’ve developed toward some of the sins God is working to remove from my life this season—maybe not eliminate forever (that won’t happen in this lifetime), but mature me out of its grip.
In this journal, I am eager to share some of the Old Testament themes I explored in Psalm 38 that foreshadow New Testament realities—what God put on my heart—and then walk through what sin actually does to our relationship with God, and how we can daily acknowledge and turn from it.
1. David’s Burning Bones & Jesus’ Greater Suffering
David’s emotional agony, isolation, and plea for God's presence point straight to the cross. As I read this, I couldn’t help but remember what a seminary professor once said:
“Jesus only suffered for three years—some humans suffer their entire life.”
That statement deeply offended me. Because none of us will ever know what it’s like to bear the weight of the world's sin, to be cut off from the eternal love and unity of the Trinity.
The first imagery of Jesus I saw in Psalm 38 was the burning in the bones and the wrath of God.
"There is no soundness in my flesh... my sides are filled with burning... my strength fails me."
— Psalm 38:3, 7, 10
David’s not just describing illness. He’s expressing what it feels like to be under God’s covenantal discipline. This kind of language was often used in the Psalms and prophets to describe God's judgment or the torment of sin.
“The hand of the Lord was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.”
— Psalm 32:4
New Testament Fulfillment:
That physical burning and brokenness foreshadow Jesus bearing the full weight of sin, not for His sin (He had none), but for ours.
“My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”
— Matthew 27:46 (quoting Psalm 22 but echoing Psalm 38’s agony)
David’s cry reveals a soul crushed by personal failure.
Jesus’ cry reveals a Savior crushed for our failure.
2. Covenant Confession and God’s Response
“I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin… But for You, O Lord, do I wait; it is You who will answer.”
— Psalm 38:18, 15
This is covenantal repentance. The original audience would have recognized this as Temple language—a sinner acknowledging guilt and asking God for mercy, usually after offering a sacrifice.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
— Psalm 51:17
In the New Testament…
Jesus becomes the once-for-all sacrifice, so now we confess not to earn mercy, but to receive it freely:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
— 1 John 1:9
David waited for God to answer. The cross and resurrection were God's answer. Mercy triumphed.
3. David & Jesus: A Foreshadowed Messiah
Psalm 38 showed me that David is a type—a shadow pointing toward the Messiah:
David was crushed by his sin.
Jesus was crushed by our sin.
David cried out for mercy.
Jesus became mercy.
David feared abandonment.
Jesus was forsaken—so we never have to be.
4. What Sin Actually Does (Then and Now)
Here’s the hard truth: Sin isn’t just bad behavior. It’s soul corrosion. This is not an exhaustive list.
Sin:
Separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 6:23)
Enslaves us (John 8:34)
Hardens our hearts (Hebrews 3:13)
Grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
Brings darkness and breaks fellowship (1 John 1:6)
Lamentations 3:22-23 promises, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” So what can you and I do to live under His mercies daily?
Never Finished Challenge: Confess + Praise
The New Testament doesn’t just call for a one-time confession. It calls for ongoing daily repentance that creates a lifestyle of humility, trust, and intimacy with God.
1. Walk in the Light – Daily Transparency
“If we walk in the light… we have fellowship with one another.”
— 1 John 1:7
Refusing to hide sets you free.
If you have no community to help expose the dark corners of your private life, you’ll stay stuck in isolation. Get transparent. Ask God for community if you don’t have it. And if you do, use it. YOU AREN’T ALONE. Don’t believe that lie.
2. Confess to One Another – Relational Accountability
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
— James 5:16
Confession builds community and gives others the courage to do the same. Healing flows from vulnerability. I don’t have enough paper to list all my sins—but I’m thankful I haven’t waited to confess. By the Spirit’s strength, I’ve chosen to confess along the way. Lord willing, I will continue to do so by His strength.
3. Repent and Turn to God – Reorientation, Not Just Remorse
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”
— Acts 3:19–20
Repentance isn’t just feeling bad. It’s reorienting your life toward God's presence and lordship—that is, He is King of your life, not you.
Stop telling yourself, “I won’t do XYZ again.” Instead, turn to God and ask for help. Second, turn to community as well. It's not about earning your repentance—it's about walking in freedom because of what Jesus already did on the cross.
Finally, praise God! David shows us how to do this. Despite God’s silence, he declares, “For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will answer, O Lord my God.” You may feel far from God, but He is not far from you. Declare His goodness and live zealously to fight your sin because of Jesus.
What Does This Say About God?
There’s so much I could say.
But reading Psalm 38 made my insides feel heavy… emotional… humble.
As I looked toward the cross, I was wordless in the face of His mercy for my sin.
I am humbled by the mercy I’ve received.
And I am convicted not to take it for granted even one more day.
What a Father.
What a Friend.
Thank You, Jesus.