What comes to mind when you hear the word “confession”? Perhaps it’s the caricature of a stern-faced member of the clergy listening to you through a screen. Or maybe it’s a criminal breaking down and admitting his crimes under the interrogation of a shrewd prosecutor or a tenacious police detective. For most of us, the notion of confessing our sins doesn’t conjure up the expectation of deeper intimacy with God and others. But if we’re serious about maturing in our faith, it’s critical that we understand the importance of confession.
Scripture reveals that sin breaks our fellowship with the Lord and can only be restored through confession and repentance. So, we’re urged to confront and confess our sin not just to God, but to one another: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16, NIV) As we continue our journey through John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way, we’re encouraged to practice confession in Session 06 of the Reading Reflection Guide.
Comer explains, “Confession is a core practice of the Way, and contrary to what many think it’s not at all about beating yourself up in public. It’s about courageously naming your woundedness and wickedness in the presence of loving community as you journey together toward wholeness. It’s about not only confession of sin but also the confession of what is true—who you are, who Christ is, and who you truly are in Christ. It’s about coming out of hiding into acceptance, leaving behind all shame…confession is our part in dealing with sin. God is the physician; we’re the patient. All we can do is set our sin in his light. His job is to deal with our sin; our job is to confess our secrets. It’s to live in a way that is open, true, and laid bare before God in community.”1
While that might sound intimidating at first glance, confession is the conduit to healing and restoration in our souls and our relationships. It also fosters deeper intimacy with Jesus. I first experienced this as a teenager when a regular pattern of sin kept me from connecting with the Lord. Although I loved God and called Jesus my Savior, my choice to stay stuck in sin prevented me from growing and thriving in my faith. No one knew how much I struggled with the weight of guilt and shame. I was so entangled in the negative and worldly influences that were forming me that I couldn’t imagine breaking free of them. Confessing my sin to God felt futile and insincere because I didn’t have the strength or courage to change.
A pivotal opportunity came during some time away from home with people who were passionate about following Jesus. Being in a new environment away from my usual influences enabled me to discover and experience God in deeper and more personal ways. Surrounded by people who were growing in faith, I realized how my sin had been holding me back . Confession spilled out of me unexpectedly one afternoon during an honest conversation with a new friend. Although it felt awkward and vulnerable to admit my sin aloud, I also felt profound relief. Instead of condemnation or judgment, I received love, grace, and compassion. The pattern of sin took a while to break altogether, but that moment of confession was the turning point for me.
As we continue on the journey of spiritual formation, we will likely encounter areas of our lives where we’ve been deformed by sin—whether it’s sin done by us, to us, or around us. Unearthing sin may tempt us to put up a false front, withdraw from healthy community, or hide in shame. But choosing to confront it and practice confession will lead to freedom, connection, and growth.
Consider these words written by, John, one of Jesus’ most devoted apprentices: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-10, NIV)
Did you know this practice is meant to be a regular part of our faith journey? Exposing sin by confessing to a fellow believer moves us from darkness into the light of fellowship with Christ and others. Consider praying this week and inviting the Lord to search your heart and reveal where sin and brokenness need to be brought out into the light. Ask Him to lead you to a wise and mature disciple who can listen well and speak Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and grace over you. Let this practice open the door for continued opportunities to be with Jesus, become like him, and do as he did.
*This post is part of a series based on Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer and weekly practices described in the eight-session study guide. Order your copy of Practicing the Way using this link or buy it anywhere books are sold.
If you’d like a digital PDF to download Reading Reflection Guide, please reply in the comments.
If you’re participating in a group in person at CPC Danville, copies of the Reading Reflection Guide are available at Focused Living AM and PM and in the church office.
Was this forwarded to you? Click here to submit your e-mail and subscribe. You’ll receive future posts automatically in your inbox.
- John Mark Comer, Practicing the Way, Waterbrook Press 2024, 95.