CONFESSION OF SINS
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. This subject of "confession of sins" is a difficult one because
the Bible doesn't say much about it.
B. Nonetheless, it is a much needed subject.
1. The fact that men sin is proof enough. Rom. 3:23
2. We cannot be forgiven without a confession, but what is
involved in it?
C. It is true there is "continual cleansing" for the sinner, but
it is obtained only when one meets the requirements for his
cleansing.
I. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF FORGIVENESS? (Please notice charts
below).
A. A penitent heart. Psalm 51:1-3, 17; Luke 15:17-19; 18:13-14; 2
Cor. 7:10
1. Truly God will receive the sorrowful and contrite heart.
B. Confession. 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
C. Prayer. Luke 11:4; Acts 8:22-24
D. True repentance (a change) is necessary.
1. Simply to say, "I have sinned," is not enough.
a. Ex. King Saul - 1 Sam. 26:21. Judas - Matt. 27:3-5
b. Most drunkards will bemoan their condition, even cry
about it, but never change.
2. One cannot repent, and then continue to commit the same
sin. 1 Cor. 6:12
a. Everyone who truly wants to overcome sinful habits,
can do it. 1 Cor. 10:13.
E. Continue to walk in the light. 1 John 1:7; Prov. 28:9; Heb.
10:26
II. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CONFESS OUR SINS?
A. 1 John 1:9 - "Confession of sins" involves both "admitting one
guilt" and "declaring openly, speaking out freely" as shown by
Vine and Thayer.
B. Since we must "admit our guilt" and "speak out freely," we
conclude:
1. Ceasing only does not remove sin. Prov. 28:13; 1 Tim. 5:24
a. Some may manage to hide their sins; however, they will
face them at the judgment.
2. Time does not remove sin. Ex. Moses - Deut. 3:23-27
3. Good works do not amend or rectify sin. Micah 6:6-8; Luke
17:10; Isa. 64:6; Psalm 50:7-12
a. Israelites thought that offering animal sacrifices would
suffice for their sins.
b. There are no good works we can do to make up for our
sin. We are already obligated to do the good works.
c. It would be like a worker saying to the rich land owner
whom he offended, "I'll give part of this land to make
up for my offense." How could he do it when the
landowner already owned the land?
4. Punishment and affliction to oneself to make up for his sin.
Ex. the Monks.
a. Heb. 13:9; Col. 2:23 - Such things do not profit against
the indulgence of the flesh.
b. In other words, they do not strengthen or make one
stronger spiritually.
III. TO WHOM SHOULD WE CONFESS?
A. We should not confess to a priest or preacher.
1. According to James 5:16, a priest would then need to
confess back to the confessor.
2. There are no priestly or clerical distinctions under the New
Testament system. 1 Pet. 2:5,9
B. We must confess to God; every sin is against Him. Psalm 51:4
1. Most sins of the Christian are of this nature. A sin against
God, one in which only God knows, needs to be confessed
only to God.
C. We must confess to those against whom we have sinned and to
those who know about our sins.
1. We include "those who know about our sins" because they
are obligated to restore us when we have sinned. Gal. 6:1
2. I believe that this is the type of confession of sins to
which James 5:16 is referring. It does not mean that we
should broadcast our sins to everyone.
3. Some examples:
a. A private sin. Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24
b. Public sins (not in seriousness, but in public
knowledge).
c. Illustrations:
(1) Drinking. For example, one is arrested for public
drunkenness.
(2) Fornication.
(a) They must confess to God and to each other.
(b) However, if some come to know about it.
For example, it results in pregnancy and all
the church knows about it. Truly this "brings
reproach upon the church." Titus 2:5; 1 Tim.
5:14
(3) Adultery.
(a) Must confess to God, the one with whom
they committed adultery, and to their spouse.
Mark 10:11-12
d. Forsaking the assemblies.
(1) It becomes a sin that within time becomes known
to all.
e. Moving in from a church that has false teaching and
practices.
IV. FALSE IDEAS AND WRONG PRACTICES REGARDING PUBLIC CONFESSION.
A. It is wrong for preachers to preach as though anyone who has
sinned should come forward.
1. Many invitations are nothing more that strong, emotional
persuasion for people to come forward.
a. As a result, many come forward to make "public
confession" when there is no need to do so.
2. This perhaps would be necessary if some were trying to hide
public sins, but most of the time it is not the case.
B. A common expression is, "He ought to be made to go forward."
1. This is stated as though "going forward" is the due
punishment for sin.
2. This stems from the old denominational idea of "doing
penance."
C. Some come forward and say, "I have sinned."
1. It would not be out of order for one to ask for the prayers
of the saints for a "rededication of one's life" or "for a
particular problem."
2. However, to say, "I have sinned" only makes everyone
wonder, and usually they suspect the worse.
3. In some cases, a long explanation is not necessary.
D. Some go to another congregation and make a public confession.
1. Clearly they don't understand what "confession" is.
2. It has become to them some type of ritual that one must go
through when they commit what to them is a serious sin.
E. Some come forward and confess, "If I have offended anyone..."
1. Some so-called public confessions are nothing more than a
denial of one's guilt and/or an elaborate explanation of how
"it's all just a big misunderstanding."
2. Such confessions are no confession at all.
V. WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF PROPERLY CONFESSING OUR SINS.
A. In spite of all that we have said, and regardless of all the
false ideas regarding public confessions, we want to now give
exhortation for any who need to repent.
B. In other words, perhaps there is someone here who truly needs
to make a public confession.
C. What are the benefits and effects of a true public confession
of sins?
1. God is obeyed. 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
2. It shows our sincerity. 2 Cor. 7:10; Rev. 21:7-8
3. It shows humility. 1 Pet. 5:5-6
4. It lifts a burden off our shoulders. 1 John 1:9b; Heb. 8:12
5. It serves as a safeguard. 1 Tim. 5:20
6. The righteous will pray for and encourage you. James 5:16b
7. It gives encouragement to others. Phil. 3:17; Heb. 13:7
8. Above all, sin is removed. 1 John 1:9; Heb. 10:1-4, 11-14;
9:13-14
Concl.
A. God will forgive us when we confess our sins.
B. All of us need to repent as soon as we recognize sin in our
lives.
1. We need to do whatever is necessary to obtain forgiveness.
2. However, we need to follow the Bible and not man, for man
often binds heavy burdens which no one is able to bear.
Chart #1
Conditions Of Forgiveness
Penitent Heart - Psalm 51:1-3,17; Luke 15:17-19; 18:13-14; 2 Cor.
7:10
Confession - 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
Prayer - Luke 11:4; Acts 8:22-24
True Repentance - 1 Sam. 26:21; Matt. 27:3-5; 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:13
Walk in the Light - 1 John 1:7; Prov. 28:9; Heb. 10:26
Chart #2
What Does It Mean To Confess Sins?
Since we must "admit our guilt" and "declare openly," we conclude:
Ceasing only does not remove - Prov. 28:13; 1 Tim. 5:24
Time does not erase - Deut. 3:23-27
Good works - Micah 6:6-8; Luke 17:10; Isa. 64:6; Psalm 50:7-12
Punishment & afflictions to oneself - Heb. 13:9; Col. 2:23
Chart #3
To Whom Should We Confess?
Not to a priest or preacher.
To God; every sin is against Him - Psalm 51:4.
To those against whom we have sinned and to those who know about our
sins - James 5:16.
Some examples:
A private sin - Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24
Public sins (not in seriousness, but in public knowledge).
Illustrations:
Drinking
Fornication
Adultery
Forsaking assemblies
Moving from false church
Chart #4
False Ideas And Wrong Practices:
Wrong for preachers to preach as though anyone who
has sinned should come forward.
"He ought to be made to go forward."
Coming forward and saying, "I have sinned."
Going to another church and making a public confession.
Confess "If I have offended anyone..."
Chart #6
Effects Of Confessing Sins
God is Obeyed - 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
Shows Sincerity - 2 Cor. 7:10; Rev. 21:7-8
Demonstrates Humility - 1 Pet. 5:5-6
Lifts the Burden - 1 John 1:9b; Heb. 8:12
Serves as Safeguard - 1 Tim. 5:20
Righteous Will Pray and Encourage - James 5:16b
Encourages Others - Phil. 3:17; Heb. 13:7
Above All, Sin is Removed. 1 John 1:9; Heb. 10:1-4, 11-14; 9:13-14