Confession is Good for the Soul

Did you know that on this side of heaven, we will make mistakes?

We live in a fallen world with real conflict and imperfect people, ourselves included. And chances are, you will encounter the need for grace over a wrong choice or an unwise word at some point in your life, if not daily.

So how do you handle your mistakes? Do you bottle them up inside, attempting to hide from shame, or do you freely share your struggle with a trusted source.

James 5:16, NIV says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

God’s word instructs us to confess our sins to one another, so why don’t we do that?

Behind Closed Doors

Sometimes, as Christians, we can put up a front, especially toward those we see on Sunday mornings.

We act as if we have it all together and everything is under control, yet, we are as jacked up as can be.

My husband and I recently watched the Aretha Franklin documentary on the National Geographic channel. And did you know that her father – whew, Jesus! - was really something. On Sundays, he stepped into his role as an American Baptist preacher, but behind closed doors, Monday through Saturday, he was quite the opposite.

I wonder if, as Christians, we, too, can relate.

Maybe we try to cover something up when we do something wrong.

Perhaps we pretend we are someone we aren't.

Whatever the case, I am learning that if followers of Christ took the initiative to share their sins and struggles with others, maybe we wouldn’t be viewed as hypocritical as we partner with the lie that we are someone we aren't.

How Non-Confession Can Hurt Us

Anyone in their right mind can acknowledge that all humans struggle. This is, after all, the consequence of the fall of Adam and Eve.

But if we reflect further, we can see that our lack of confession with the trusted people in our lives can prevent us from living fully flourished lives in Christ. Some of these things may include looking phony to those around us, covering up who we are, and, more detrimental, as we withhold confession, we aren't being honest with God or the people who love us. 

Who Should I Confide In?

Accountability is a big responsibility. And while it can seem daunting, it is something that all believers should practice with another trusted source.

When you have people in your life to whom you can confess your sins, you will be encouraged and strengthened to live with integrity and right standing. (Word of caution: you can’t confess your sins to just any and everyone! Start by seeking out a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor.)

I have a good friend named Susie, and I can confess anything to her. Over time, we have built trust with one another, and I know that she will go to her grave with anything I have shared in confidence. This is the accountability we need as we follow Jesus on this earth!

The Full Circle of Confession 

1 John 1:9, NKJV says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Now you may be asking, “If God is faithful to forgive me when I mess up, why on earth do I need to confess to other people?”

It is the both/and. We do need to confess our sins to God, but we also need people in our lives who will encourage us and check in on us, especially surrounding our weaknesses.

And are you ready for your mind to be blown? Richard Foster illuminates for us in his book, Celebrations of Discipline, that when we confess our sins to others, we are actually confessing to God that dwells in them! Pretty cool, right?

Not only that, but the spiritual discipline of confession is full circle. As we confess our sins to God, He then forgives us, which enables us to forgive and be forgiven in the human confession we experience here on earth.

Jesus says in John 20:22-23, NIV, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Being disciples of Christ on this earth, we have the opportunity to teach others the gift of His forgiveness through our own forgiveness.

So let’s be women of confession to God and to those who love us. Let’s open our hearts as we embrace our need for mercy and offer that same grace to others. 

And as we confess to others, may our relationships and hardened hearts be healed and restored so we can say, “It is well with my soul.”