Introduction:

* The teaching on confession of sins is a keen concern for many believers for mainly two reasons:

(1) Man who is sinful are stricken with guilt.

(2) Many teachings on confession of sins in the Bible – Basis of our relationship with God.

* Yet, there are increasing teachings that downplay confession of sins.

* Even after reconciliation with God, confession of sins is still needed.

* <James 4:8-9>: “Come near to God and he will come near to you. (But how do we sinners come near to the Holy God? i.e.) Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom”.

* <Ps 66:18>: “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened”

<1 John 1:9>

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

God has the intention to forgive and purify us.

* Forgive – To not count our sins against us.

* Purify – To remove the blemish of sins, including the urge to sin.

To confess – To say the same thing, or to agree with.

* The person who confesses agree with God’s diagnosis of him.

* Not only at the point of conversion, but also daily.

<Ps 32:2-5>: 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

* It is always the Holy Spirit who took the first step to convict us of our sins.

* It can be through His words, or through someone, or some situation.

* We either confessed or not.

* If we ignored it or rationalized our sins, our hearts will be weighed down with heaviness. 

How should we confess our sins? To what extent?

1) In total agreement with God

2) Accompanied by brokenness or contriteness

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” <Ps 51:16-17>.

* There was no brokenness and contriteness in King Saul’s confession. <1 Sam 24:17>

* Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death <2 Cor 7:10>.

3) In some instances, we’ve to confessed our sins to others:

* Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” <James 5:16>.

① So that we may be healed and restored.

② When our sin has done extensive damage, so much so that it involves many others.

③ So that we can make restitution to the person we’ve hurt/shortchaged (Guilt Offering).

Confession always mend relationships. But pride ruin relationships.

* <Pro 28:13>: Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.