Confession Is Crucial in a Fallen World

By Hector Hernandez

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

Many Christians would agree that the act of confession is one of those practices that is important and necessary in our walk with the Lord. It is so foundational to our faith that we cannot become a Christian unless we confess our sin and also accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as an atonement for that sin.

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“Confession and repentance were instrumental in breaking strongholds and leading me into the freedom of living a life in the Spirit of Christ.”

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All believers, no matter how spiritual we are or how long we’ve walked with Jesus, will at some point fall into sin. It’s the unfortunate side effect of living in a fallen world, in a fleshly body, amidst a real spiritual battleground. Despite being dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11), we are still capable of sinning (Romans 7:18–19).

David’s story is a prime example in the Bible of a believer who commits sin (adultery), makes it worse with more sin (murder), and is unrepentant about it. Fortunately for David, Nathan the prophet confronted him directly and David was convicted by God to confess his sin and seek forgiveness (2 Samuel 12:1-13). David’s heartfelt confession is recorded in Psalm 51.

In my own walk with Jesus, I have also fallen into sin and concealed it. In my case, like the unmerciful servant in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 18:21–35), I was unwilling to extend forgiveness to others even though I was forgiven by my Master. For many years, I held onto unforgiveness toward my father for abandoning my family after my parents divorced over 20 years ago. I was also unforgiving toward my wife for things she had said or done over 10 years ago. Confession and repentance were instrumental in breaking strongholds and leading me into the freedom of living a life in the Spirit of Christ.

How to Confess Sin

Thankfully, the Bible gives us many guides for confession. See Psalm 32:5, Psalm 51:1-4, Psalm 139:23–24, James 5:16, or 1 John 1:9 for examples.

1. Acknowledge the sin to God. You must have a repentant heart to do this (Psalm 51:1-4).
2. Clearly state your sin verbally or silently in prayer. Accept responsibility for your own sin, regardless of other people’s words or actions (Psalm 32:5).
3. Lay the sin on the cross of Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
4. Receive forgiveness from Jesus through His shed blood (Hebrews 9:14).
5. Leave the sin on the cross with your old self, and do not pull that dead body out of the grave (Romans 6:6-7).
6. Live in the freedom of Christ without condemnation (Romans 8:1–2).

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:1–4)

Questions for Reflection

1. Are you willing to pray the words of Psalm 139:23–24? “Search me, God, and know my heart. … See if there is any offensive way in me.”
2. Where are you holding onto unrepentant sin? Are you concealing it? Have you justified your sin by blaming others?

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