What Does it Mean to Confess our Sins to One Another?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CONFESS OUR SINS TO ONE ANOTHER?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

James 5:16 says "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed."

Who is addressed in this Scripture?

My view is that the writer is speaking to all Christian communities in all ages.

Forgiveness is central to our Christian faith and practice in that the works of the cross could not have been accomplished without God's forgiveness to us who were lost in sinful disobedience (Romans 5:8).

The scripture of James 5:16 is part of the wider passage ofJames 5:13-20 which carries a number of exhortations and spiritual principles touching on Christian living.

They range from thanksgiving to communal care for the suffering and the sick among God's people (vv. 13-14) to the restoration of the erring (vv. 19-20).

One of the critical issues that the writer gives prominence is the prayer of faith (vv. 15-18). This is exemplified here, complete with a powerful illustration from the life and ministry of Elijah the prophet who demonstrated great faith in God in his day by shutting and opening the heavens through his great faith in God.

The final verses of James 5:19-20 touch on the significance of spiritual restoration of believers who err in the faith. The church is obligated to restore those who err in their midst in order to rescue them from heresy (cf.1 Timothy 1:19-20 and 2 Timothy 2:16-18).

Now back to James 5:16. James exhorts us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another so that we may be healed.

The following questions are instructive here.

First, what nature of sins are contemplated by James in this scripture?

Secondly, are all sins to be confessed to one another in this manner? In other words, is it a template rule to confess all manner of transgressions to another?

Roman Catholics have a confession box system where the priest receives confessions from the faithful and purportedly makes absolutions for the transgessions on their behalf. This is an issue for a separate discussion.

Finally what nature of healing is contemplated here as a consequence of our confession? Is it spiritual or physical healing or both?

Someone may quickly conclude that sicknesses have to do with unconfessed sins. That is possibly true.

I must admit that I disagree with the doctrine of generational curses which is popular among sections of the charismatic movement.

My view is that those who are in Christ have been fully restored and cleansed from any past stains and nothing can follow them from their past.

Yes, unconfessed sin affects not only our spiritual relationships with those who were the object of our disobedience but will ultimately ruin our fellowship with God if left unchecked. 

I believe that the writer had in mind our interpersonal offenses that often ruin our Christian fellowship and hinder our Christian witness.

My view is that sins that touch on our interpersonal relationships should be confessed to those we have offended so that we may obtain their forgiveness. Scripture also commands us to forgive those who offend us (Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26).

My view is that there are sins that should be confessed to God alone. For instance, if I am aware that I have disobeyed God on a particular issue that was under my charge, or by some act of disobedience that does not touch on another party, I should approach the Lord and seek forgiveness for it and make amends with Him.

If our conscience still condemns us then we will require further spiritual counseling on the issue.

Some sins are however complex and their effects will not easily go away because they carry some consequences that may follow us. They may require the counsel and prayer from a pastor or mature believer in order to strengthen the offender.

For instance sexual sins not only affect those involved but also break their fellowship with God in a deep way. This weakens their moral standing.

Those affected will require spiritual counseling in order to break the guilt and avoid circumstances that may reintroduce the temptation.

Even where such sins are confessed, the believer should be subjected to spiritual discipline and restoration in line with the teaching of Scripture (1 Corinthians 5).

There is some legitimacy for public condemnation of moral sin. It is intended to serve as warning to others that God's moral standards for believers outlined in several passages of Scripture must be maintained (cf.1 Timothy 5:20).

There is however power in confession when it comes from a broken and a contrite heart.

In Psalm 51:10-17 David confessed his sins to God from a broken heart. He was squarely responsible for abusing his royal authority in snatching Bathsheba from her lawful husband and arranging for her husband's [Uriah's] murder. David acknowledged that his sin was primarily against God even though he had offended other parties in the process.

Notice that David was initially trying to cover up his sin until God sent Nathan the prophet to rebuke him (2 Samuel 12:1-24). David finally expressed deep remorse for his transgressions and God graciously forgave him.

We learn from David's experience that God will never withhold His forgiveness from a penitent heart that breaks in His presence.

Some have associated the text of James 5:16 to conflicts in marriage relationships and argue that the couple should confess their sins to one another.

Domestic conflicts will undoubtedly strain the marriage if left unchecked. Where a conflict cannot be conclusively resolved by the couple then it is best to refer it to pastoral counseling.

The principles drawn from this scripture [and by extension, the entire passage] are of universal application. They can be applied to any Christian relationship experience.

We need the wisdom of God in handling situations of spiritual conflict so that we do not destroy the body of Christ by either neglecting legitimate spiritual correction or banishing believers into oblivion without spiritual restoration.

Those who err in our midst should on their part demonstrate the fruit of repentance through remorse and brokenness of heart before God and before the congregation of God's people, as appropriate.

In this way we shall all experience harmony and unity in the Spirit and will serve God without any condemnation in our hearts (1 John 3:20).


Shalom



© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020