The Power and Practice of Confession

As we seek to grow closer to God and one another, there’s a practice that Scripture urges us to embrace: confession. James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Confession isn’t just a private whisper to God—it’s a biblical call to honesty, healing, and community. But it’s also a practice that can go wrong without care. Public confession of sin holds potential for great good or great harm, so let’s explore its benefits and how to do it wisely, guided by God’s Word and timeless principles.
Why Confession Matters
Confession is more than unloading guilt—it’s a pathway to freedom. When we name our sins before God and, when appropriate, others, we break their power over us. It invites healing—spiritually, emotionally, and even physically (James 5:16). It keeps us real, preventing us from becoming “let’s pretend Christians” who hide struggles behind a smile. Historically, every great revival—from Ephesus (Acts 19:17-20) to the awakenings of the past 250 years—has been marked by honest confession. When believers got right with God and each other, the Spirit moved mightily. Confession prepares our hearts for that same renewal.
The Practice of Confession: Guiding Principles (Largely borrowed from J. Edwin Orr and Dave Guzik's Enduring word)
To confess biblically, we need wisdom. Here’s how to approach it, based on Scripture and sound advice:

1. Confess to the One You’ve Sinned Against
   Too often, we settle for secret confession to God, even when our sin involves others. J. Edwin Orr notes, “To confess to God seems the easiest way out,” but Jesus teaches otherwise. In Matthew 5:23-24, He says if you’ve wronged someone, go reconcile with them before offering your gift to God. If your sin has hurt a specific person, confess to them humbly—seek forgiveness and make it right. This isn’t easy, but it’s real contact with God, not just communing with ourselves.  So maybe, consider going to someone this week before church and getting wrong things right.
2. Public Confession Can Be Powerful
   James 5:16 implies group confession—“ones to others,” as A.T. Robertson points out. There’s strength in admitting our struggles together. It builds accountability and invites prayer. But it can be discreet—say enough to enlist help, like, “Pray for me; I’m battling a recurring sin,” without oversharing. We’re not airing dirty laundry; we’re seeking God’s grace through His people.
3. Distinguish Between Secret and Open Sins
   Orr offers a simple rule: “If you sin secretly, confess secretly, admitting publicly that you need victory but keeping details private. If you sin openly, confess openly to remove stumbling blocks.” If your struggle is private (like lust or envy), confess to God and a trusted friend or an accountability group (we have a men's group called Proven Men). If it’s public (like harsh words that hurt the church), own it before those affected. This keeps our confession honest without causing harm.
4. Confess Before Others, but to God
   Interestingly, confession to others isn’t just overheard by them—it’s addressed to them. “I’ve been critical and divisive,” you might say, “please pray for me to get right with God.” It’s not a performance for God with an audience; it’s a plea for support as you seek Him. This humbles us and binds us together.
5. Be Specific and Thorough
   Vague apologies like “If I’ve messed up, I’m sorry” dodge the point. Sin is specific, so confession should be too. Orr puts it bluntly: “It costs nothing to say, ‘I ought to be a better Christian.’ It costs something to say, ‘I’ve been a troublemaker in this church.’” Name the sin—bitterness, gossip, neglect—and commit to change. Half-hearted confession seeks relief, not repentance.
6. Confess with Integrity
   Don’t confess without intending to fight the sin. True confession carries sorrow and a resolve to turn away. If it’s not real, it mocks God—and ourselves.

An Example for Us
Imagine a church member standing up during prayer time: “I’ve been holding bitterness toward our leaders. I’ve criticized them behind their backs instead of supporting them. I’m sorry, and I’ll apologize to them this week. Please pray for me to let it go and love better.” That’s specific, thorough, and public where it needs to be. It invites healing—for the confessor, the leaders, and us all.
Preparing Your Heart
As your pastor, I invite you to reflect: What’s weighing on your soul? Is there a sin you’ve kept secret that needs God’s light? Someone you’ve wronged who needs your apology? Or a struggle you’ve hidden that our prayers could lift? This week, start with private confession to God. Then, where needed, take the harder step—confess to a brother or sister, or even publicly in our next gathering. Be discreet, be honest, and trust God to work.
Confession isn’t about shame—it’s about grace. It’s how we prepare our hearts for revival, for healing, for Him. Let’s be a church that’s real with God and each other, ready for His Spirit to move.