We often think that confession is merely saying, “I’m sorry.” But God is very wise. He says we must confess to each other. What he knows is that confession breaks down the walls of rationalization we have built around our sins. When we sin, there are only two options: (1) rationalize it so we can continue living with it, or (2) confess it and have it forgiven.
When we rationalize, we build a wall brick by brick, higher and higher with each excuse we make. The higher the wall gets, the harder it is to “see” God. When we try to pray, our guilt prevents us from facing Him. So, we stop praying. We begin to move in our own strength. We make decisions without his approval. We find ourselves acting like we think a Christian should act and saying the things we think a Christian should say. The truth is we feel empty inside. We’re only playing the church game; we are only play-acting.
Jesus’ favorite name for the Pharisees was “hypocrite.” The word comes from the Greek word meaning “a play actor…one who plays a part.” Jesus criticized the Pharisees because they were not who they were believed to be; they were play-acting. This is exactly who we are when we try to live as Christians while failing to confront our sins.
Never be afraid to confess your sins to the Father. Use the sledgehammer of confession to break down the wall of rationalization…all the excuses you’ve used to justify continuing your sin. After you confess and find forgiveness from God, you can also confess to those you have offended and find forgiveness from them, too.
Circle of Forgiveness and Circle of Offense
One warning: my friend, Bob Stone, taught that the “circle of confession is only as large as the circle of offense.” That is, you should not confess to anyone you have not personally offended. If you did not personally offend them and they do not know of your offense, you need not confess to them. For example, if I think poorly of someone and harbor a critical attitude toward him, I need only confess to God. Since the one I thought poorly of did not know of my sin, I need not confess to him. When we broaden the circle of confession to those not offended, we open the door to the possibility of a new offense – someone may be offended who initially was not – or bad feelings between you and that person.
1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”