Disciplines for LIfe Part 6: Confession

Confession has been called the "Painful Discipline" and it is just that. Confessing your sins to a friend can be embarrassing and difficult. So why do it? The Bible commands confession in Matthew 5:23-24 when you have wronged someone but what about private sins. Do we have to confess those? If not, why should we confess them?

There are plenty of activities we find ourselves involved in or encourage others to be involved in that are not required or mandatory. For instance we see benefit in eating healthy, exercising, carrying life insurance, bathing on a regular basis, wearing sunscreen, brushing our teeth, cleaning our rooms and many more. Why do we do these things or think they are a good idea? Because there are negative consequences that may be associated with NOT doing these things. In the same way, NOT confessing can bring dangerous negative consequences.

Proverbs 28:13-14 shows us 3 Dangers of not confessing:

Those who do not confess:
1. Will not prosper (v13)
2. Refuse mercy (v13)
3. Brings more trouble (v14)

“If we fail to use this door we’ll find ourselves stumbling around in the deceitfulness of our own souls” John Loftness

Just as those other "un-mandatory" activities in our life can have negative effects they can also bring blessing into our lives. Confession is the same way. In David's famous confession of Psalm 51 we see quite a few blessings he expects to experience as a result of his confession:

1. Removes sin from your conscience (v3)
2. Acknowledges the offended (v4)
3. Restores joy (v8)
4. Renews Relationship (v10-12)

“Confession alone makes deep fellowship possible, and the lack of it explains much of the superficial quality so commonly found in our church associations.” Dallas Willard

5. Encourages Proclamation and Praise (v13-15)

“The confession of evil works is the beginning of good works.” Augustine of Hippo

Confession also helps us to overcome several obstacles in our lives:

We overcome condemnation (Romans 8:1)
We overcome pride (Genesis 3:8-13)-having a hard time recognizing that we really have sinned
We overcome sickness (James 5:16)

If we are going to confess (and I think the benefits show us that we should) then how should we confess? Is it ok to be vague and flippant in our confession? Here are some thoughts on how we should confess.

True confession is specific
True confession includes motive (goes deeper than the action to the why/heart)
True confession is sorrowful (2 Corinthians 7:5-11)
True Confession is accompanied by repentance (2 Corinthians 7:5-11)
True Confession is made in light of the cross

Finally, if we need to confess, who should we confess to?

It is important to confess your sins to God, but I often find that it is easier to confess to God instead of a friend, family member or pastor. Why is this? Possibly because our fear of man is greater than our fear of God. When we confess to God our attitude shouldn't be "well, God, I did it again. I need your forgiveness again." We need to remember that in any sin God is the first, and MOST, offended party. He is holy and perfect and died for that sin, so don't take your confession to him lightly.

Confession to a friend, family member or pastor can be helpful because of the immediate accountability that can come from that. Here are some characteristics to look for in the person you confess to:

-Someone who listens first and speaks later
-Someone who is compassionate and will keep it in confidence
-Someone with a healthy view of sin
-Someone who will not react in horror
-Someone who will not smother you with mercy when you need rebuke
-Someone of the same sex

Confession will help keep your conscience sensitive and avoid the "seared" conscience that Paul talks about in 1 Timothy 4:1-3. Immediate confession will strengthen your relationship with God and strengthen you in your fight against future temptation and sin.

What about you? What sin is so easily entangling you? Confess it...TODAY!