Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
Confessing to God is one of the most important things you can do once you have sinned. But it doesn’t just end there. You must also confess your sins to others.
Confessing Our Sins to God Is a Form of Repentance
The first step in turning away from sin is acknowledging that sin really is a part of your life. Confession is a great way to do this. Once you surrender your sins to God he is able to cleanse you of them.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Once we confess our sins we are able to reconcile ourselves to God. Our relationship with him is made whole once more. This is because God sent Christ to earth to die for our sins so that we may one day be united with him for eternity in Heaven. All we have to do is submit our sinful ways to him and lean on him for our salvation.
Sin Always Severs Relationships and Brings Guilt and Shame
This is the ultimate reason why we should confess our sins to other believers,as well as God.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
God makes his tangible grace known through the body of Christ. Sin not only separates us from God, but it also separates us from other Christians. By confessing our sins to others we are able to fix this relationship. We can then build a strong community of other believers around us in order to support us and encourage us.
We Need Help from Other Believers
When you confess your sins to others it helps them to see the areas of your life that struggle to trust God in. Because of this they are able to walk beside you and support you in your faith. They are able to pray for you and encourage you.
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
They could also help you to identify what causes that sin and help you overcome it. Confessing your sins to others allows them to keep you accountable and on track in your walk with God. Ultimately, we were created by God to be relational. Connecting with other believers is necessary for a healthy relationship with God.
Confession doesn’t just stop with God. We have to make others aware of the areas of sin in our lives in order to overcome and truly repent of those sins. God place other believers in our lives to encourage us and keep us intent on our pursuit of him.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- “Sin always severs relationships and brings guilt and shame.” Can you give an example of this in your own life or a friends?
- Read 1 John 1:9. What is this saying about confession and forgiveness – as far as it relates to our relationship with God?
- Read James 5:16. How is this kind of confession (to others) different from confessing to God? How is it similar? (See Psalm 3:3.)
- Read Proverbs 28:13. Why do most people want to hide their sin? What are the benefits – both spiritually and relationally – of confessing them to God and others?
- Who are the people in your life that you are willing to confess your sins to? Have you ever done it?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
