The Adventure of Confession
What is Confession?
Confession is our answer to God’s profound and deeply pervasive question “Where are you?” Of course, we generally recognize confession’s relationship to sin. And there’s good reason for that. But confession’s significance is more comprehensive. As Romans 10:9-10 asserts, confession is also a proclamation of belief (“… with your heart you believe… and with your mouth you confess and are saved.”). And according to Hebrews (4:14; 10:23), our confession is agreeing to what is true... ALL that is true. There’s an implied vulnerability in naming what is true and acknowledging our own helpless relationship, even dependence, on the truth. Confession is an admission of where we are in tandem with an alignment to reality. It’s a candid answer of “Here I am.”
Jesus and Confession:
Confession, as Jesus taught, is not just about admitting sin but about a heart turned toward God in humility and repentance. He invited people to honesty, not to condemn but to transform. True confession brings freedom, as we acknowledge our need for grace, trust in Christ’s forgiveness, and walk in restored joy with God and others as seen when He speaks to the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). He demonstrated that confession leads to healing and restoration, forgiving sins before healing the paralyzed man (Mark 2:1-12) and offering grace to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11).
Why Do We Practice Confession?
For as long as I can remember, I have desired to be known. I yearn to be seen. I recall so many childhood memories related to what I now identify as fear of rejection and isolation. I remember sitting alone against the wall and watching pick-up basketball in middle school… just hoping that someone playing would notice me and ask me to jump in. Looking back, I see the longing I felt was related to a God-designed hunger for belonging. And the starting point of this fundamental detachment has primordial origins. Our first parents ditched being “naked and unashamed,” trading it in for a shameful hoax of hide and seek. We’ve all been playing that game ever since. And startlingly, the God who responded to the initial disobedience and self-isolation sought them out. God asked them and continues to ask us, “Where are you?”
Ways to Practice Confession:
Read Psalm 139:23-24 (below). Then recite the Lord’s Prayer. Slowly reflect on the portion “Forgive us our debts….” What specific sins does the Spirit bring to your mind? Confess them to God. Remind yourself as you name them of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Thank God for his endless grace and mercy. Invite a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor into any current struggles you’re facing. Name the struggles in proportion to your comfort with this person. Reflect on James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed….” Share your story or specific truth God has been teaching you with someone that God puts in your path. Reflect on Paul’s confession of faith and his testimony before Felix in Acts 24:10-21. Read out loud a passage of Scripture that has significance to you. Reflect on your confession of the truth to yourself. Read the Apostles’ Creed as a confession of belief. What parts of the creed are you curious about? Memorize Psalm 139:23-24- “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Memorize 1 John 1:9 (above).
Resources About Confession:
Scripture:
Psalm 51
James 5:13-16
1 John 1:5-10
Books:
The Spirit of the Disciplines (Ch 9) by Dallas Willard
Celebration of Discipline (Ch 10) by Richard Foster
Anatomy of the Soul (Ch 9) by Curt Thompson, M.D.
Liturgy of the Ordinary (Ch 4) by Tish Harrison Warren
Confessions by Augustine
The Apostles’ Creed
Confession is our answer to God’s profound and deeply pervasive question “Where are you?” Of course, we generally recognize confession’s relationship to sin. And there’s good reason for that. But confession’s significance is more comprehensive. As Romans 10:9-10 asserts, confession is also a proclamation of belief (“… with your heart you believe… and with your mouth you confess and are saved.”). And according to Hebrews (4:14; 10:23), our confession is agreeing to what is true... ALL that is true. There’s an implied vulnerability in naming what is true and acknowledging our own helpless relationship, even dependence, on the truth. Confession is an admission of where we are in tandem with an alignment to reality. It’s a candid answer of “Here I am.”
Jesus and Confession:
Confession, as Jesus taught, is not just about admitting sin but about a heart turned toward God in humility and repentance. He invited people to honesty, not to condemn but to transform. True confession brings freedom, as we acknowledge our need for grace, trust in Christ’s forgiveness, and walk in restored joy with God and others as seen when He speaks to the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). He demonstrated that confession leads to healing and restoration, forgiving sins before healing the paralyzed man (Mark 2:1-12) and offering grace to the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11).
Why Do We Practice Confession?
For as long as I can remember, I have desired to be known. I yearn to be seen. I recall so many childhood memories related to what I now identify as fear of rejection and isolation. I remember sitting alone against the wall and watching pick-up basketball in middle school… just hoping that someone playing would notice me and ask me to jump in. Looking back, I see the longing I felt was related to a God-designed hunger for belonging. And the starting point of this fundamental detachment has primordial origins. Our first parents ditched being “naked and unashamed,” trading it in for a shameful hoax of hide and seek. We’ve all been playing that game ever since. And startlingly, the God who responded to the initial disobedience and self-isolation sought them out. God asked them and continues to ask us, “Where are you?”
Ways to Practice Confession:
Read Psalm 139:23-24 (below). Then recite the Lord’s Prayer. Slowly reflect on the portion “Forgive us our debts….” What specific sins does the Spirit bring to your mind? Confess them to God. Remind yourself as you name them of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Thank God for his endless grace and mercy. Invite a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor into any current struggles you’re facing. Name the struggles in proportion to your comfort with this person. Reflect on James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed….” Share your story or specific truth God has been teaching you with someone that God puts in your path. Reflect on Paul’s confession of faith and his testimony before Felix in Acts 24:10-21. Read out loud a passage of Scripture that has significance to you. Reflect on your confession of the truth to yourself. Read the Apostles’ Creed as a confession of belief. What parts of the creed are you curious about? Memorize Psalm 139:23-24- “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Memorize 1 John 1:9 (above).
Resources About Confession:
Scripture:
Psalm 51
James 5:13-16
1 John 1:5-10
Books:
The Spirit of the Disciplines (Ch 9) by Dallas Willard
Celebration of Discipline (Ch 10) by Richard Foster
Anatomy of the Soul (Ch 9) by Curt Thompson, M.D.
Liturgy of the Ordinary (Ch 4) by Tish Harrison Warren
Confessions by Augustine
The Apostles’ Creed