What is confession of sin?

Response

Confessing sin involves acknowledging our wrong actions or words and agreeing with God that they were incorrect. In a legal context, confessing to a crime means accepting that one has indeed broken a societal norm. When we confess our sins, we recognize that we have transgressed God’s laws. We acknowledge that we have chosen to act, speak, or think in a manner contrary to God’s will, and we stand guilty before Him.

Repentance is closely linked to confession. While confession is about admitting our wrongs, repentance entails a genuine desire to change our ways. It goes beyond mere acknowledgment of sin to actively striving to overcome and abandon it. Confession without genuine repentance is empty words. Many individuals may admit to a wrongdoing when caught, but they may lack any intention of changing their behavior. Their display of regret is often a response to the consequences they face, rather than true remorse for their actions. John the Baptist emphasized repentance in preparing the path for the Messiah, urging people to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” «Therefore, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance: », (Matthew 3:8). Essentially, John encouraged his audience not only to confess their sins but to show through their actions that they had genuinely turned away from them.

The Bible outlines two ways to confess sins. Firstly, we are to confess our sins to God. 1 John 1:9 assures us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Secondly, we are encouraged to confess our sins to fellow believers. James 5:16 advises, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” When we have wronged someone, it is appropriate to admit our fault to that person and seek forgiveness.

Various obstacles can impede or prevent us from confessing our sins. Pride is a significant hindrance. We may be reluctant to admit our faultsPride often leads us to justify, explain, or shift blame instead of confessing and seeking forgiveness. As stated in the Bible, “Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). God opposes those who are prideful (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Confessing sin is ineffective when done insincerely or under duress, as it does not reflect true agreement with God but rather a temporary attempt to ease guilt or please others.

Another obstacle to confessing sin is ignorance. In today’s society, biblical illiteracy is on the rise, and hearts are growing indifferent to spiritual matters. Neglecting Scripture has left many, even among those who profess to be Christians, unaware of God’s moral standards. Some choose to indulge in sin without remorse, preferring ignorance over the discomfort of confession and repentance. They may resist delving into God’s Word for fear of feeling guilty about their lifestyles. However, God holds us responsible for what He has revealed to us, so ignorance cannot excuse avoiding confession and seeking forgiveness.

When confessing to someone we have wronged, it is essential to also ask for forgiveness. While we cannot compel others to forgive us, we should always offer them the opportunity to do so, allowing them to release any bitterness they may hold. The Bible instructs us to forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Matthew 6:14). Jesus provided a clear process for confession and reconciliation within the church (Matthew 18:15-17).

There are times when our sin was not against a specific person, but we can still confess it to Christian brothers and sisters as a way of being accountable for change «Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. », (James 5:16).

An old adage says, “Confession is good for the soul.” This is true. God wants us to live with a clear conscience and a pure heart (Matthew 5:8;Psalm 24:4). This is only possible when we regularly confess and forsake our sins, keeping the example of Jesus ever before us (1 Corinthians 4:16;1 Corinthians 11:1). He never had to confess His sins because He never committed any «For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. », (Hebrews 4:15). But no one else can truthfully say that, so we need to learn how to confess our sins regularly both to God and to other people so that we can live free of guilt and shame «blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; », (Colossians 2:14).