2 Samuel 11:1-5
Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house. The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, “I am pregnant.”
Psalm 51:1-4
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.

1. The Truth About Ourselves

We try to cover sin.

2 Samuel 11:6
Then David sent to Joab, saying, “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent Uriah to David.

We try to make up for sin.

2 Samuel 11:27
When the time of mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son.

We try to move on from sin.

2 Samuel 11:27
But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.

2. The Truth About God

Psalm 51:1
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness…

Psalm 51:1
According to the greatness of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions.

Romans 2:4
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

3. The Truth About Sin

Psalm 51:3
…for my sin is ever before me…

Psalm 51:3
I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me…

“Sin will always take you further than you intended to go, keep you longer than you intended to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay.”

Psalm 51:4
Against You, You only, I have sinned…

James 1:13-15
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Psalm 51:5
…in sin my mother conceived me…

Sin is always a setback. Sin is never a secret. Sin is not the end.

4. The Truth About Repentance.

Psalm 51:6
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

Repentance begins by being honest with yourself about your actions and taking ownership of them.

Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.