A counselor was trying to help a man who had come forward during an evangelistic meeting. “I’m a Christian,” the man said, “but there’s sin in my life, and I need help.” The counselor showed him 1 John 1:9 and suggested that the man confess his sins to God.

“O Father,” the man began, “if we have done anything wrong—”
“Just a minute!” the counselor interrupted. “Don’t drag me into your sin! Brother, it’s not ‘if or ‘we’—you’d better get down to business with God!”
The counselor was right.
Confession is not praying a lovely prayer, making pious excuses, or trying to impress God and other Christians. True confession is naming sin—calling it by name what God calls it: envy, hatred, lust, deceit, or whatever it may be. Confession simply means being honest with ourselves and with God, and if others are involved, being honest with them too. It is more than admitting sin. It means judging sin and facing it squarely.

When we confess our sins, God promises to forgive us. But this promise is not a “magic rabbit’s foot” that makes it easy for us to disobey God!

The Bible commands: “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:5-10).

Also read: Job 33:27-28; Isaiah 55:6-7; Revelation 3:19.

Action assignment: Think of three specific sins that God condemns, yet the world does not always consider wrong ( gossip, for example). Try to see these sins through God’s eyes and make a conscious effort to avoid them.