1 John 1:8 1 John 1:9a 1 John 1:9b Psalm 51:4 1 John 1:9 1 John 1:10 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF CONFESSION? Confess (homologoómen) James 5:16 WHAT IS CONFESSING TO ONE ANOTHER? Acts 19:18 James 5:16a James 5:16 1
HOW DO I CONFESS TO ONE ANOTHER? Acts 19:18-20 James 5:16 WHAT IS PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER? 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 HOW DO I PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER? Psalms 41:4 The Peacemaker by Ken Sande Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot Resolving Everyday Conflict study in the fall of 2014 2
Keeping dark secrets can destroy us, and confessing them can set us free. John Cassian (360-435 AD) claimed that as soon as a wicked thought has been revealed to God and at least one other Christian it loses its power. The demonic stronghold of sin is drawn out as it were into the light from its dark and deep cave by the power of the confession... For Satan s harmful counsels hold sway in us as they lie concealed in our heart. Coping with Stress claims that people who tend to keep secrets have more physical and mental complaints, on average, than people who do not... including greater anxiety, depression, and bodily symptoms, such as back pain and headaches. The initial embarrassment of confessing is frequently outweighed by the relief that comes with the verbalization of the darker, secretive aspects of the self. 3
1 John 1:8, If we say, We have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (HCSB) 1 John 1:9a, If we confess our sins, He is faithful... (HCSB) 1 John 1:9b, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous... (HCSB) Psalm 51:4, Against You You alone I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge. (HCSB) 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (HCSB) 1 John 1:10, If we say, We have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (HCSB) WHAT IS THE MEANING OF CONFESSION? Confess (homologoómen) literally it comes from two words: Together and Word. To say the same thing as another, i. e. to agree with another. 4
James 5:16, Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. (HCSB) WHAT IS CONFESSING TO ONE ANOTHER? Acts 19:18, Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. (NLT) It is me agreeing with you. It is me admitting to wrong. James 5:16a, Confess your sins to one another... (HCSB) It is me desiring to stop the wrong. James 5:16, Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. (HCSB) HOW DO I CONFESS TO ONE ANOTHER? No electronic confessions. 5
Confessions need to be man to man or woman to woman. Private confessions for private wrongs. Public confessions for public wrongs. Acts 19:18-20, 18Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. 19A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. 20So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect. (NLT) Some confessions can be testimonial. James 5:16, Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. (HCSB) WHAT IS PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER? Lifting one another up into the presence of the Lord. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11: 6
8We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us. 11And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. (NLT) HOW DO I PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER? Spiritual growth over physical well-being. Psalms 41:4, I said, LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You. (HCSB) Pray regularly for others. Pray and show accountability for others. Listen to the Lord while you pray for others. 7
1. Completely confess to the Lord. 2. Find a spiritually strong person you trust, confess to them and have them pray for you. 3. Have a spiritually strong person you trust, hold you honestly accountable for your future behavior. The Harvard Business Review reported: I Cheated but Only a Little. The study s lead author said, Confessing to only part of the guilt of one s transgression is attractive to a lot of people because they expect the confession to be more believable and guilt-relieving than not confessing. But our findings show the exact opposite... people seeking redemption by partially admitting their big lies feel guiltier because they do not take complete responsibility for their behaviors. The Harvard Business Review summarized the research this way: Confession is a powerful way to relieve guilt, but it works only if you tell the whole truth. 8