Understanding Confession

When people hear confessing your sins they think of monks in a monastery or stepping into a formal confessional at the end of mass. However, God’s Word teaches us that confession is an important practice for everyone’s daily lives.

What does the Holy Bible say about confession?

David, in Psalm 32, felt weak and was miserable when he did not confess.

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
-Psalm 32:3-4

Before confessing his sin David was exhausted. The life was being drained out of him by sin. If you do not weaken sin, it saps your Spiritual strength and weakens you. 

What will happen if you don't confess your sins?

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-Romans 6:23

Sin separates us from God, which can lead to spiritual death. The Holy Bible describes sin as the breaking of or transgression against God's Law.

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
-1 John 3:4

 It is also defined as disobedience or rebellion against God.

Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.
-Deuteronomy 9:7

Biblical confession should be in some ways a joy, thanks to the rich benefits God gives us through it.

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

When anyone repents and believes in the Gospel of Jesus Christ through confession all of their past, present, and future sins are immediately forgiven!

Confession is part of the sanctification process.

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

True confession is done in humility with an attitude of repentance.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
-1 Peter 5:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
-James 4:6

May God give us the grace to be humble before Him.

God Bless you all,

David