Ever have a secret in your life that no one else knew? Something about yourself that if you thought that anyone else knew that no one would like you? It’s like this ugly wart or scar that you keep hidden well. Maybe that tattoo you don’t show anyone (that is not about anyone particular in case you are wondering :) ). You see it’s those type of things that one’s consciousness along with the lies of the evil one will keep you from living life like you should.

Because of these secrets we can’t live for God like we should because it keeps us from believing in ourselves. “If they only knew.”, keeps you from putting your neck on the line. It keeps us believing the lies in our head instead of believing what God says we are. That is that when we are in Christ we are truly forgiven, Spirit filled, co – heirs with Christ and God doesn’t look at that stuff. So why do we?

Well let’s not get into the why, that’s a long topic for another day. But let’s focus on what we can do about it.

CONFESS

You did what!? J/K

Yeah I know that word is pretty scary but look at the alternative. Do you want to live scared and unfulfilled or do you want to embrace the life that God intended for yourself?

Confession means to admit and acknowledge one’s wrong doings. Even when they are ugly. Look at what it can do for you though.

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.

James 5:16 NIV

CONFESSION = HEALING

I did this recently with a close friend.  There were things that I have confessed to God in my head but some of them I had never spoken out loud for the world to hear.  For me it was a decision to say it, have someone be a witness to it, and for that person to affirm God’s forgiveness in my life.  Now for me the secrets are out of the bag.  From my friend I could see there was no condemnation in his eyes.  There was just someone looking at me knowing everything about me and was still ok with me.  I am here to tell you it didn’t hurt at all.  Most of all, even though God had already done so, I was able to put it to rest for myself.

I want you to know know this for yourself.   Don’t take my word or it, experience it!  So here’s what it may look like for you.

  • Confess to a believer – Someone that is in good standing with God.  Someone that understands that once your sins are forgiven they are done forever.
  • Confess to someone who is trust worthy – This should come automatically with the previous point but unfortunately it doesn’t always.  So make sure the Christian person you are talking to can keep their mouth shut…  Then again if you are forgiven then what difference does it make that other people know now?  Think about it..
  • Your prayers become more effective – By the confession of sin you are getting rid of those things that keep God from having a closer relationship with you.  Your path of communication with Him becomes more open and He is able to use you more.
  • Sin loses its power in the light – Isn’t it funny that things always look better in the daytime?  Sin is the same way.  What you often hold back are usually things that a lot of other people have encountered.  You are not alone in your sin.  It loses its power when you find out that you are not alone.
  • Confession is telling yourself that it’s not about your works. – God has chosen to love you anyway.  When you hold things in and don’t live the life you were called to live you are actually choosing not to believe God.  You have now chosen to believe yourself.  You choose to believe God cannot use someone tainted when actually that is all that God uses.

There are a lot of you out there that choose to define yourselves by your past actions.  God doesn’t do that.  He chooses to judge you by seeing His Son when He looks at you.  The act of confession will help you break away from the destructiveness of sin.

Why not forgive yourself?