(1 John 1:4-10, Psalms 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, Psalms 38:18, James 5:16a)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)
Confessing our sins is a bold step in Christ: a bold step towards forgiveness, a bold step towards atonement and a bold step towards salvation. It is a bold step showing full humility when we are sincere with it. It is good to be sober for our sins and confess it genuinely. Confessing our sins is lowering, submitting and giving ourselves up to the saving mercy of God. It is the reality of turning our cloak inside out; showing our secret life of depravity to Christ. We would realize that the Lord Jesus sees and knows all, yet He would wait for us to name our iniquity before him, how we fell into it, how will swam in it as pigs love the mire and the evil we know has come upon us because of it. As one genuinely confesses and pleads for forgiveness, our Lord sees in us a soul knocking on the door of mercy without ceasing. And, …”He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
1) Confessing privately to Jesus
It is to the Lord Jesus we must confess our sins. He was the One that suffered, lived, died, resurrected and ascended into the right hand of the Father because of the salvation of our souls. He is the One who knows our real worth (Romans 8:34). Not any human!
2) (If this is Required) Confessing to His Faithful Servant for Guidance on What to Do (especially where restitution, restoration or deliverance is needed but it must be as the Holy Spirit leads)
Confession is made to our Lord Jesus and as He forgives us the burden will be lifted away and his peace will come into our hearts which we will experience. However, if as we confess to the Lord, the burden is not being taken away from our hearts then we must ask from Him, if we must confess it to his servant and also ask that He directs us to His faithful servant who we will be confessing to. He is so faithful that He will not leave us in that state of confusion without pointing to us his servant who will be faithful to this call (purpose); if we are sincere.
3) Confessing to Others
We can also confess to other brethren in Christ but we must be very sure that we are led by the Holy Spirit so that we will not fall into the trap of the devil. Many have fallen into the hand of the devil as they seek spiritual assistance from devil’s agents in sheep clothing. Some who was seeking help on how to do the right thing ends up with devil’s agent that leads them into doing evil things. May God almighty help us all in Jesus name!
Some Benefits of Confessing our Sins
1) It gives way to the peace of our Lord Jesus to come into our heart.
2) It makes our guilts and burdens to be taken away.
3) It provides us with required help and guidance especially when restitution, deliverance and/ or our restoration is needed.
4) It puts the devil to shame (because he accuses Christians before God with their unconfessed sins).
Let us confess our every sins genuinely to Christ, so that, He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Prayer Points
1) Holy Spirit open my eyes to see and know every unconfessed sins of my life, in Jesus name.
2) Holy Spirit, quicken me to confess my sins and put the devil to shame, in Jesus name.
3) Confess all your unconfessed sins as the Holy Spirit reveals them to you and ask for forgiveness and atonement using the authority in the name and blood of Jesus name.
4) The power in the blood of Jesus release me from the condemnation of unconfessed sins, in Jesus name.
5) I declare that my freedom and justification is sealed with the blood of Jesus, in Jesus name.
Hh