Confession of sin is the act of acknowledging and admitting one’s sins before God. It involves being honest with God about the sins we have committed, taking responsibility for them, and expressing sorrow and repentance. Confession is a central part of the Christian faith and is emphasized throughout the Bible as something followers of Christ should engage in regularly.
The Basis for Confession in the Bible
The concept of confessing sins originates early in the Bible. After Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, they hid from God and were separated from him (Genesis 3:8-10). Yet God sought them out and gave them an opportunity to confess their disobedience. Though they partially blamed others, Adam and Eve did acknowledge their sin (Genesis 3:12-13). Even in humanity’s first sin, the need for confession was evident.
Later, in the Law given to Moses, there were prescribed sin offerings and guilt offerings that involved confession of sins (Leviticus 5:5). On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would confess the sins of all the people over the scapegoat, symbolically placing those sins on the goat before sending it away into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:21). These acts of Old Testament worship assumed the need for people to own up to their failings before God.
In the New Testament, confession of sins is commanded for believers in Jesus. The apostle John wrote, “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). James said, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Confession to God and others was expected of Christians as a regular practice.
Why Should We Confess Sins?
The Bible gives several important reasons why followers of Christ should regularly confess their sins.
1. Confession acknowledges God’s holiness and human sinfulness. It is an act of worship to God, agreeing with his righteous standards (1 John 1:5-7). Confessing sins humbles us before him.
2. Confession is necessary to receive forgiveness and cleansing from sins. While God graciously initiates forgiveness, confession is typically the means by which we receive it (1 John 1:9; James 5:16).
3. Confession brings release from the burden of guilt over sins (Psalm 32:5). It frees our consciences from the weight of knowing we have violated God’s will.
4. Confession helps restore broken relationships – with God, others, and ourselves (James 5:16). It opens the door to reconciliation.
5. Confession prompts repentance and the process of sanctification. Admitting sins humbles us and motivates us to turn from sinful patterns by God’s grace.
6. Confession is an act of faith and submission to God. It is a means of releasing our sins to God’s care, trusting him to forgive and cleanse us (Psalm 51:2).
In short, confession expresses humility, faith, and repentance. It brings forgiveness, cleansing, freedom, healing, and restoration to our walk with Christ.
How Do We Confess Sins Rightly?
The Bible offers guidance on how to confess sins in a manner pleasing to God. Wrong motives or methods can hinder the effectiveness and benefits of confession.
– Confess specifically. Vague, generic confessions of being “a sinner” are less meaningful. We should be honest with God about actual sins we have committed.
– Confess sincerely and transparently. God desires truthful admission of sins from a heart motivated to be cleansed (Psalm 51:6).
– Confess humbly. Rather than making excuses, minimize or justify sins. We must agree with God’s view of sin.
– Confess completely. Don’t deliberately omit certain sins from your confession. God desires to forgive all sins.
– Confess remorsefully. Confession should involve godly sorrow and detest for the sin committed (2 Corinthians 7:10). The tax collector is a model (Luke 18:13).
– Confess as soon as possible. We should seek to confess sins we become aware of and not delay doing so (Psalm 32:3-5). Procrastination suggests we are minimizing sin.
– Confess trusting in God’s mercy. While sin is terrible and demands justice, God promises that sincere confession will be met with forgiveness through Christ (1 John 1:9).
– Confess turning from sin. Confession involves not only sorrow for sin but repentance – resolving by God’s power to forsake sinful behavior.
Right confession requires a submissive heart willing to forsake sin and walk in God’s ways by his enablement. It should lead to change.
Confess to Whom?
The Bible indicates confession of sins should be made both to God directly and to other believers.
We must confess directly to God since all sin is ultimately rebellion against him, violating his holy standards. Since only God can extend forgiveness, he is the primary one we must confess to, as King David did (Psalm 51:4). We confess to “the Lord” (Numbers 5:7).
At times we also need to confess sins specifically to others:
– People we have sinned against, wronging them in some way. Confessing to them is necessary for reconciliation.
– Those affected by our sins, such as family members. This can help repair damaged relationships.
– Spiritual leaders who can provide counsel, accountability, and pastoral guidance through the process of repentance.
– A community of believers. James envisions believers confessing sins to each other for mutual healing and prayer (James 5:16). This builds spiritual intimacy.
With wisdom and discernment, confession to others facilitates forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, and spiritual growth. But the confessing of sins should mainly be to God, who alone grants forgiveness.
Confess Frequently
Since believers continue to sin and struggle with sinful patterns daily, confession of sins needs to be frequent and regular. Just as we regularly need physical cleansing, our souls need regular cleansing from sin through confession.
The apostle John warns believers against claiming to be without sin (1 John 1:8). The model prayer of Jesus includes the petition “forgive us our sins” (Luke 11:4), implying daily confession. We should examine ourselves regularly and be quick to confess when we become aware of offenses against God (1 Corinthians 11:31; Psalm 32:5). This prevents unconfessed sins from accumulating and burdening our consciences.
Some Christians find that daily confession at the start of each day helps maintain a clean heart before God. Regular, daily confession provides both preventative and corrective spiritual hygiene. Other believers confess sins as soon as they become aware of offenses. Frequent, regular confession to God is a healthy spiritual discipline.
God Forgives Completely
While believers should never take sin lightly, Scripture offers beautiful assurances of God’s readiness to forgive confessed sins entirely.
– “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).
– “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11-12).
– “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
– “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).
God’s forgiveness is complete. When we sincerely confess, he washes our slate clean. Our position before him is restored, and the removal of guilt allows for intimate fellowship with him again.
The Blessings of Confession
Confession of sins may be difficult, bringing painful guilt and shame to the surface. Yet Scripture urges believers to push past those barriers to experience the blessings God promises to those who confess.
– Cleansing of conscience from guilt (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22)
– Restoration of joy in one’s salvation (Psalm 51:12)
– An openness to receiving God’s wisdom and counsel (Proverbs 28:13)
– Confidence and assurance of forgiveness through Christ (1 John 1:9)
– Release from consequences of unconfessed sin (Proverbs 28:13b)
– Stronger intimacy with God (Psalm 32:1-2)
– Freedom to show Christ’s love to others (1 John 4:20-21)
Part of maturing as a believer is learning to promptly confess sins great and small to the Lord. Doing so honors him and keeps our walk with him in the light, experiencing his cleansing and renewal day by day.