Who We Should Confess To

When we sin we should first confess it to God and then to the ones we have sinned against. All sin is ultimately against God. Our sin has a ripple effect. It can affect the church that we attend, our families, those we associate with, those we pray for and total strangers. It can affect people that we don*t even know about. Therefore Christians owe it to all of the people that might be affected by it to confess and forsake their sin. Being forgiven for our sins can also have a ripple effect of blessings that are multiplied to others. Since we don*t even know all of the people our sin can affect, it is impossible to confess it to all of them.

It does no spiritual good to confess to a man we have not sinned against, except as a testimony about God*s merciful forgiveness to us. It is beneficial to confess that we too are sinners when sharing the gospel or when encouraging other believers to confess and forsake their sin. It does no spiritual good to confess my sin to a man, especially if I do not confess it to God and to the ones I know I have sinned against.

Proverbs 28:13: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

It does no spiritual good to confess our sin if we do not intend to forsake it.

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.

2 Samuel 12:13: And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

Psalms 32:5: I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Psalms 51:4: Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Luke 15:21: And the (prodigal) son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Luke 18:13: And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Matthew 5:23-24: Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

When a mortal man tells us that our sins are forgiven, he may or may not be correct. He cannot look upon our heart and he cannot know if we have forsaken our sin. When the Spirit of God tells us that our sins are forgiven we can always believe Him.

Romans 8:16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Acts 8:22: Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Mark 2:7: Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

Care to discuss Who We Should Confess To with Ron?

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