Confession

The most dangerous problems in life are the hidden and unknown problems. These are the problems that lurk below the surface—undetected—wreaking havoc or preparing to make themselves known. Cancer is a problem, but it is a much more significant problem when it grows undetected. Disloyalty in an organization is a problem, but it creates an even bigger problem when that disloyalty quietly sows seeds of doubts in others and spreads the disease. Faulty engineering is a problem, but the defective design of a bridge is most dangerous when cars continue to use that bridge and nobody is aware of the issue. Known problems can be dealt with and addressed, especially when detected early. It’s when a problem festers and spreads that the problem really becomes a problem and the damage may be irreversible. Confession is the honest and humble admission of a problem. It’s the bringing of spiritual cancer out into the open so that cancer can be dealt with before it creates an even bigger problem. The more challenging thing about sin, though, is that resistance to confession is not just because the problem is at times unknown. The more pervasive problem is that authentic confession is resisted because authentic confession is accompanied by repentance, and we often don’t want to let go of our ways. The sin, then, is effectively hidden—even though it is known—and the damage of that sin increases overtime. The authentic follower of Christ knows this and has a growing passion to dismiss sin early. He or she is open with God and open with their confidants. It takes a great deal of humility and courage to bring one’s sin out into the open, but the power of doing so is profound. Scripture teaches that “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). In another place we are commanded to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Those serious about ridding themselves of spiritual cancer are serious about both vertical and horizontal confession. We confess and repent before God, and we confess and repent before each other.