Confessing Our Sins (James 5;16)

[SamInNi]

I was just about to respond to a post when it disappeared. But I’m sharing it anyway. Perhaps it would be of use?

In the Book of James the overall context for confessing sins is certainly the local church. The best of public Christian forums will have a broad cross-section of people who include those who are influenced by religious dogma, and true believers at different stages of spiritual growth, and there may even be those who are fault-finding septics. So here probably isn't the ideal context for sharing our more personal “sins”.

Also, we need to be careful that don’t put the emphasis on telling other believers about our private struggles with sin and addictions. It’s my own view that James 5:16 is sometimes applied in the wrong way.

What is meant by “confess your sins to one another”?

The same passage mentions sickness, suffering and sins. The sins being referred to are most likely to be those that cause division within the local assembly. Earlier James wrote about destructive “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” among believers that was “earthly, natural (‘soulish’), demonic” (see 3:13-18).

So, if true believers in a local assembly are sinning against one another, it’s a situation that needs fixed through love and forgiveness. If we have private sins and addictions Galatians 6:1 is a better place to start:

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 5:25-6:2).​

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hi,

I was the offender . I started the post with the very thought that you have here,

"even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted."

The idea was to open a safe place for people to bring their problems so that they could be counseled/restored to leave their sins behind. However, I forgot that people may be embarrassed or be made feel shame, due to online confession. At the time I thought it only fair to bring up my own sins, so others would not feel threatened by sharing what was happening to them. It is probably too raw for an online setting, and people may get the wrong focus, which was not to air dirty laundry, but rather to gain assistance in understanding if their sin needs serious change, or if they are just obsessing over nothing.

However, I still feel James 5:16 is appropriate for maybe a more private setting, confession, and prayer coupled together are powerful.

Many Christians spend years wandering around in sin, because they do not understand the nature of God, they hide from people, and God, and are reluctant to share what is really happening. This is where I see confession to be valuable. A wise person can see the struggle for what it is and offer assistance.

 

[Minister Monardo]

In the Book of James the overall context for confessing sins is certainly the local church. The best of public Christian forums will have a broad cross-section of religious people, many at different stages of spiritual growth, and there may even be those who are fault-finding septics. So here probably isn't the ideal context for sharing our more personal “sins”.

However, I still feel James 5:16 is appropriate for maybe a more private setting, confession, and prayer coupled together are powerful.

This is certainly the appropriate time and place to remind all believers of every function
that the local fellowship is meant to provide them, not only for the vital function of confessing
our faults, but also to encourage, exhort and admonish as necessary. Blessings to both of you,
and upon all who approach this thread in an honest and sincere heart.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

 

[SamInNi]

Many Christians spend years wandering around in sin, because they do not understand the nature of God, they hide from people, and God, and are reluctant to share what is really happening. This is where I see confession to be valuable. A wise person can see the struggle for what it is and offer assistance.

Very well put. I’ve had experiences myself, and just this morning I was writing to an old friend who is having very real struggles with addictions and other problems.

Sharing, especially with those who have a deeper understanding — those who are truly “spiritual”, and can evaluate all things (Galatians 6:1; 1st Corinthians 2:15) — can open doors to restoration. So much remains unshared and many are held back from better things in Christ.

You’ve touched on such a very important need in true fellowship.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Hi,

I was the offender . I started the post with the very thought that you have here,

"even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted."

The idea was to open a safe place for people to bring their problems so that they could be counseled/restored to leave their sins behind. However, I forgot that people may be embarrassed or be made feel shame, due to online confession. At the time I thought it only fair to bring up my own sins, so others would not feel threatened by sharing what was happening to them. It is probably too raw for an online setting, and people may get the wrong focus, which was not to air dirty laundry, but rather to gain assistance in understanding if their sin needs serious change, or if they are just obsessing over nothing.

However, I still feel James 5:16 is appropriate for maybe a more private setting, confession, and prayer coupled together are powerful.

Many Christians spend years wandering around in sin, because they do not understand the nature of God, they hide from people, and God, and are reluctant to share what is really happening. This is where I see confession to be valuable. A wise person can see the struggle for what it is and offer assistance.

My opinion is that the whole, or at least most of the book of James is in the form of an examination of conscience, a revealing guide to how we might have sinned. And then what to do about it. The goal is restoration and reconciliation after sin.

We know from Church history that there were some sins that were for a while almost unforgivable. Apostasy for example, or murder. But even these were finally recognized as forgivable, not excluding from the community of faith. But there were groups like the Donatists who would not have apostates back. For the rest of the Church they were let back but often with lengthy penances imposed, like wearing sackcloth for years while having to sit in the back and abstain from communion.

As to public confessions of sins, that is within the community of faith, that was an early practice. But I think the later norm of confessing to a bishop or a priest was likely also practiced early on as well. I don't know of public confession as in going to the forum or the market to confess. That would be a bit like confessing here, where every post can be accessed by anyone in the world with a Google search. I would think it better to either confess to a priest or bishop, or in person in a community where the sin is not totally public. The risk in confessing in a community is that of gossip.