In Proverbs, chapter twenty-eight, verse thirteen, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Those who attempt to deny their sins and keep them hidden, rather than acknowledge, confess, or forsake them, will make no spiritual progress. God’s forgiveness and mercy are available, however, for all who come to God in sincere repentance.
Repentance is a free decision on the part of sinners, made possible by the enabling grace given to them as they hear and believe the gospel. Faith that includes repentance is always a condition for salvation. Therefore, to uncover sins for the opportunity to know Jesus Christ begins inside the heart. The person who admits and submits to the Lord will experience a change inside spiritually, known as the “inner man,” which is the “inner person.” “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man,” as in Ephesians three, verse sixteen.
The Spirit of God connects to the inner person, which is the spirit of the one who accepts the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Believers are those who receive God’s Word, obey, and are connected this way by His Spirit. However, the outer person, which is our body, our flesh, does not serve God, but our inner person: the soul, the human spirit within. “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God,” as in Romans eight, verse eight. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.”
Our flesh opposes God, but our spirit desires to connect with the Almighty One.