Confess Your Sins

Introduction

Public confession of sin is a practice we are quite familiar with.

But when and why is it appropriate?

When is it helpful and when might it be harmful?

Defining Confession

Confession is acknowledgment or agreement (Acts 23:8; Lk. 22:6).

It is more frequently in relation to Christ than to sin (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9-10).

The idea is that you are agreeing and acknowledging what others already know (Matt. 18:15; 1 Jn. 1:9).

It is about honesty.

We talk about our sin like God talks about it.

We don’t call it a mere mistake or unwise choice.

We don’t say, “I got carried away” we say “I committed adultery.”

The Goals of Confession

The goal of confession is forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:9).

God’s forgiveness is ALWAY primary (Psa. 51:4).

EVERYONE else is secondary.

But there may also be additional tiers of priority.

It is about relationship reconciliation (Matt. 18:15-20; 5:23-24).

It is accompanied with a commitment to change (Lk. 17:3-4).

We also confess so as to receive help and comfort (Jas. 5:16).

This seems a much more intimate setting than a congregation.

This allows aid in a personal relationship.

This isn’t just clearing the air and moving on.

This isn’t just “getting something of my chest”

Public Confession

Ceremonial confession is not Biblical.

“Coming forward” is a tradition of men.

I’ve heard people complain that we don’t see as many people “come forward” as we used to as if that is the legitimate or best way to do things.

The goal is not spectacle.

Public confession (as we practice it) may be an expedient way of addressing a large number of people at once but it is not the only way.

We have no desire to make a sin any more public than it already is (Matt. 18:15-20).

I want to address my sin as publicly as I commited it.

If it became more public through gossip, then that is someone else’s sin to clean up.

We should not lay the responsibility for the consequences of gossip at the feet of the victim of it.

Unfortunately, we often lay heavy burdens on someone who has already acknowledged that they are wrong.

We make them confess before the very ones who have sinned against them.

This should not be so.

Conclusion

Public confession can be a helpful way of restoring relationship with a congregation.

It can also be a public cry for help.

But confession is a matter of acknowledgement that ALWAYS should begin with God.

When you stand justified before God, you need not fear the reactions of men.