This step is about recognizing the sin in your life. You must confess all your sins to God, to yourself, and in some cases, to another human being. God already knows your sins, but when you confess them, He is faithful to forgive you. 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV Confession is more than just saying you’re sorry; it’s also admitting that you sinned. Many of your past sins will be sufficiently confessed on your own, by taking them to God. However, there will be sins that God will want you to confess to another person. James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. NIV Confessing your sins is not the same as confessing your faith in Jesus. When you received your salvation, through your confession of faith in Jesus, God washed away all your sins, however… … you must recognize that you have a tendency and a nature to fall back into sin, and you must agree with God that you are a sinner. You also must be willing to turn from your sin, and rely on God’s power to overcome it (repentance). 1 John 1:8 - If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves. NIV All people are sinners by nature, and even as a born again Christian you can not live a sinless life. Your sins separate you from fellowship with God, and they must be confessed in order to restore your fellowship with Him. Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. NIV You must be totally honest and humble to truly recognize all of your sins, faults, and weaknesses. You do not need to be afraid of revealing your sins to God - He already knows them, and as you confess, He will draw you close to Him. Psalm 32:5 - Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” - and You forgave the guilt of my sin. NIV Confession will give you freedom to enjoy a healthy relationship with the Lord. It will ease your conscience, lighten your burdens, and begin a healing process that is essential for your spiritual growth and freedom. Confession is the Start of a Healing Process that Must take place. Genuine confession also involves repentance; a commitment not to continue in the sins that you are confessing. If you are truly confessing your sins, then you must plan on not doing those same sins again. Acts 17:30 - …but now God commands all people everywhere to repent. NIV Repentance Always Involves Making a Change Away from sin, turning Towards God True repentance will involve building your relationship with God, through Jesus, and submitting yourself to the discipline of the Holy Spirit. It involves living in obedience to God’s Word, and aligning yourself to His promises. 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise... He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. NIV Confession and repentance will involve a daily commitment of; self examination, fellowship with other Christians, prayer, meditation, and study of God’s Word. You will also want to learn spiritual disciplines and put them into daily practice. Please note the different forms of confession: 1. Confession of faith in God’s Word unto salvation: To receive your free gift of salvation through God’s grace, you must confess your faith in His Word - and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord… Romans 10:9 - That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. NIV 2. Confession of God’s Word to build faith: When you read daily confessionals, you are using God’s Word to build yourself up in faith and strength. Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 3. Right and Wrong Confession: The confession of your lips - what you speak - the words from your mouth - will give either God or the enemy dominion over you. Right confession gives God dominion, wrong confession gives the enemy dominion. Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. NIV The book of James, chapter 3, verses 1-12 is a good example of the power of your tongue, and the words you speak. Study these verses, then put into practice reading confessions that give God dominion over your life. 4. Confession of your sins to restore broken fellowship with God: Because of God’s holiness and purity, He can not be in fellowship with anyone harboring unconfessed sin. Your sins must be confessed in order to restore your relationship with God. 1 John 1:6/7 - If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. NIV Confession and repentance are essential to the healing process and are a necessary part of your spiritual growth. As you work through the issues of sin in your life, you must also do a self examination of your character. This examination of your character (weaknesses and strengths), will prepare you for the cleansing of your conscience and the healing of your heart, which are crucial keys to receiving the freedom, victory, and strength that God has for you. As you continue in prayer, asking God to reveal the sins you need to confess, you also need to ask God to reveal character faults that might make it difficult for you to turn away from those sins.
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