“The Healing of Confession”

Date: 11-01-14

Text: — James 5:16 — Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  [NIV84]

The Big Idea: I have found that in the moment of confession followed with “I forgive you,” or “you are forgiven,” there is deep soul healing.

My Thoughts: 

I have found healing in  confessing to others my sin. And as a pastor/counselor I have found that in the moment of confession followed with “I forgive you,” or “you are forgiven,” there is deep soul healing. Have you found this to be so, too?

Lifestyle worshipers, do you connect the “powerful and effective” prayer of v. 16 above to “confess your sins to each other” in this healing process? I do. But to be so vulnerable seems to have its own set of factors and wounds and awkwardness. So as public the sin so public the confession and as private the sin so private the confession. This may dispel some fears and awkwardness, but alas confessing our sins  doesn’t appear to be free of such. Or do you think the promise of healing and freedom overcomes such?

Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

— Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV84)

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

—Luke 19:8-10 (NIV84)

Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds.

—Acts 19: 18 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, by the shed blood of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and through His power, I confess I have been fearful of confessing those sins that need to be confessed to my brothers and sisters. I have sinned against You and denied myself the healing and freedom that comes from this confession. I ask You, Lord Jesus Christ, to bear the consequences of my actions. Remove the pain and shame I have caused Your Name. Be that part of my life that has been disobedient and in bondage to fear. I release myself into Your hands. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike