Confession
The Bible emphasizes the need for confession, even in the lives of Christians who were cleansed of their sins on the day of their conversion. John writes, “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). Also, James said, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). Just because you have obeyed the gospel, that doesn’t mean you will lead a perfect life. Growing as a follower of Christ requires daily self-examination, renewal, and recalibration (2 Cor. 13:5; Rom. 12:2; Eph 4:23; 2 Cor. 4:16). Confessing sins is an essential part of this process.
The word “confess” is translated from the Greek word homologeo, a compound word meaning “to say the same thing.” When we confess the name of Jesus, we say the same thing God says about the Son—that he is the Son of God, the only hope for salvation (Matt. 16:16). When we confess our sins, we say the same thing God says about sin—that it is wrong and rebellious and self-destructive (Rom. 6:20-21).
Why is confession so important? Does God not already know what I’ve done? And are my sins anyone else’s business? Why must I confess my wrongs to my brother or sister?
Confession is for the benefit of the one who has sinned. God doesn’t ask us to admit our wrongs so he can watch us grovel at his feet. A trustworthy brother or sister in Christ doesn’t listen to confessions to get some juicy gossip. Confession is the way a sinner pulls the obstacles to his spiritual life out of hiding—selfish motivations, evil thoughts, weakness to temptation, doubts, and grudges—and names them so that he can seek God’s forgiveness, repent, and move forward.
When we are too afraid to look at what’s going wrong inside of us, we allow sin to continue to live within us unchecked. Time will not correct hidden sin. If the darkness inside us is not addressed, it continues to grow until the light is completely snuffed out.
The Greeks were right when they said the unexamined life is not worth living. Find a brother or sister you can trust and confide in that person. Tell her your sins. Ask her to pray for you. Pray along with David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps. 139:23-24). Confess your sins to God. It’s no use hiding your faults. Sooner or later you will collapse under the heavy weight of your unconfessed sin. Examine yourself daily. Learn to confess what’s going wrong on a daily basis. Only then will you live in the light of truth where forgiveness and growth are possible.
Drew Kizer