To "Confess" Or Not To "Confess"!

[HannahElizaW]

I've been..pretty much everywhere and have been yelled at, prayed for, 'tsk'ed, maybe some ridiculing, and constant "reassurance" with verses that have been repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated to me.

After a decent discussion with hightened anxiety I pondered over bringing myself to a full out confession of all my issues and sins and half-and-half feelings, or the "i really don't want to" emotions and how I wish I was at that breaking point for Jesus....but...when I pray and pray and pray for help and help and help...I don't..witness much change...so...is the full out confession...really...worth it? I mean, I know it's best to talk to God like He was a friend but when I pray I don't, again, see change...and when I listen....I have no idea what I'm listening for and have practically no experience whatsoever with God.

Read the Bible? Yes I do....but I have issues with It...and believe me when I say I've prayed for it...many times...I strongly wish I had that desire to throw myself face first into the Bible...but my heart has resentment or...resistance to it...people tell me and others to be aware when the Bible seems to be "veiled" and that it's just another work of the D-...enemy. When I read It...very very very very very very very rarely does something "stand out" to me. I've had moments where I read Psalms or John and there will be a verse that I can think up "Hey I can actually relate to this!".....and that'll be it. Would that even count as God saying "Yoohoo!" or from what I've described is the Bible seeming to be veiled? And for that reason alone I've prayed for it and the desire to actually read it. But then I'll pray...and pray...and pray...and then a comment will pop up "Don't Say God Is Silent When Your Bible Is Closed" and then the cycle repeats itself.

But now that I pray consistently...my prayers seem really...long...I feel like my burdens could be written out on all the spaces in a local newspaper sometimes....so is a lengthy confession really worth it? Or should I make it short and sweet?

 

[AGTG]

There are two types of confession, and both are important.

The first type, is the confession of sins. This confession should be borne of an attitude of love and obedience to God, not a duty to keep a deal. We're in a relationship with Father God. He understands our weaknesses and is supremely patient when working in us.

This kind of confession can look like one of three things:

1) Humbly recognizing when you did the wrong thing the instant it happens and just acknowledge by speaking this out to Father God.

2) Confessing sins to those whom you have established a trusting relationship with as brethren.

3) Confessing sins later when you recognize you've fallen short. This could be something recent or in the distant pass.

Whatever you confess, the most important thing is that you recognize that Jesus has washed you white as snow, you are clean, you are accepted into Father God's presence in prayer.

The other type of confession is the confession of truth over your life. This, of course, is God's truth.

For example, someone who may be ailing or afflicted, should continue to confess they are healed by the stripes that Jesus endured, knowing God will work that healing out in their body.

The Bible is loaded with glorious truths we have the authority to confess and declare over ourselves and others. This confession, when mixed with faith, is very powerful. Even if it seems that the result would tarry, do not cease, it will manifest.

Additionally, we can call upon God to make good on the promises in the Word. He is faithful. And in regards to faith, in case you feel your faith is too small, ask Him to increase your faith. Keep asking for this and you will see how strong you become in the faith.

You will also see the change and transformation you're yearning for. Remember, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who thirst for righteousness."

I believe this is the kind of righteousness that transforms us into Christ's likeness.

Just how powerful are these declarations, confessions, and requests?

THEY ARE SO POWERFUL I'VE SEEN GOD HONOR PRAYERS WHEN LAYING HOLD OF PROMISES THAT I MISUNDERSTOOD!

I'm serious. That's how good God is. The first year I was walking closely with Him, I would find a promise I thought I understood, and prayed for Him to move on my behalf, and He would. Then I would later found out I was misunderstanding that passage.

But you know, there is another promise in the Bible. God said that He would honor us in our weakness. And praise Him for that! Thank You, Jesus!

 

[AGTG]

Also, unless you're in really deep sin that's affecting your walk, I believe God would rather you spent more time thanking Him and praising Him and meditating on His goodness than going through a long list of sins you've struggled with. It's alright to keep things short and sweet for confession, but don't let your prayer time be short. Sing Him songs, think about all the good things He's done in your life, talk to Him like He's right there with you because He is.

 

[thesunisout]

I've been..pretty much everywhere and have been yelled at, prayed for, 'tsk'ed, maybe some ridiculing, and constant "reassurance" with verses that have been repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated to me.

But now that I pray consistently...my prayers seem really...long...I feel like my burdens could be written out on all the spaces in a local newspaper sometimes....so is a lengthy confession really worth it? Or should I make it short and sweet?

Sometimes God shapes and molds us with those silent times as much as He does when we can clearly see His hand moving. It's in the struggle to know Him where we are forced out of our comfort zones, to come out of our shells. It exposes us for who and what we really are, and we are overcome when we see how awful it is. We really, really want God to change us right now and take it all away, but it doesn't work like that. In the struggle beautiful things are created, situations and circumstances that would never happen otherwise. We're like caterpillars in our cocoons, slowly what is old is dissolving and becoming something new.

You have to remember, this isn't just for you, it is for God and His glory. He wants to use you to touch other peoples lives, to advance His Kingdom on Earth. When you pray, ask God to use you in that manner. Ask Him to change you, not for the sake of changing you so that you feel better, but for the sake of His Kingdom. Ask Him to give you opportunities to witness to people in your family and to friends and coworkers, neighbors and strangers. Ask Him to change you for that reason, so that you can do His will. It is in service to Him, doing His will and bearing good fruit that you will see the greatest change in your character.

Pray always that God will reveal His word to you. The word of God promises in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit will lead us into *all* truth. In John 14:26 the word promises that the Holy Spirit will bring to our remembrance everything that Jesus taught. The word also says in 1 Corinthians 2:14 that we cannot understand the truth without the Holy Spirit, because the things of God are spiritually discerned. This means that we are completely incapable of understanding Gods word without His help. Therefore, stand on Gods promise to teach you His word and place your trust in God to do that as you are reading the word of God.

Open your heart to God to do His will and He will begin to speak to you and to heal you. Invite Him into the sorrow and pain and ask Him to give you a tender and forgiving heart, one that is overflowing with His love. God bless sister.

 

[Bible2]

thesunisout said in post 4:

It is in service to Him, doing His will and bearing good fruit that you will see the greatest change in your character.

Great point.

For getting closer to God/Jesus requires obedience to what he commands believers to do (John 14:21,23, John 14:15-18, Ephesians 3:17-19; 2 Corinthians 1:22). Also, if believers haven't already, they should get Holy Spirit baptized (Acts 11:15-16, Acts 10:44-46). They usually have to ask to receive the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13b) baptism, for it is usually not given to them automatically at the moment that they become believers. That is why Paul the apostle asked some believers: "Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed?" (Acts 19:2).

Believers usually receive Holy Spirit baptism through prayer accompanied by the laying on of hands, subsequent to water baptism (Acts 8:15-17, Acts 19:5-6). Holy Spirit baptism won't result in speaking in tongues for everyone (1 Corinthians 12:30), but for almost everyone, as tongues are one of the Spirit's lesser gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8,9,10,11,28; 1 Corinthians 14:5). Many believers haven't yet experienced Holy Spirit baptism simply because they haven't yet asked for it, under the principle of "ye have not, because ye ask not" (James 4:2b). Many believers haven't yet asked for it because they have come under the influence of mistaken teachings which say that it is no longer in effect. Believers can get hands laid on them to receive Holy Spirit baptism at any Pentecostal-type congregation, or at any charismatic-type congregation, which can be of almost any denomination.

Also, believers will get closer to Jesus as they serve him in that particular spiritual work which he has given them as individuals to do (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11). So if they haven't already, believers should pray and ask Jesus what their particular spiritual work is for him, and do it every day (Luke 9:23, Titus 3:8, Mark 13:34, John 12:26).

It is also important for believers to realize that Jesus gives different believers different amounts of spiritual talents (Matthew 25:15). So it is not possible for all believers to do the same spiritual work for Jesus, or to accomplish the same amount for him. And so any one believer shouldn't (as sometimes happens) judge any other believer for not doing the same spiritual work that he or she is doing, or for not accomplishing as much as he or she is accomplishing (Romans 14:4). Nor should any believer think that the spiritual work which Jesus has given him or her is unnecessary and not a real part of the operation of the church (1 Corinthians 12:14-30). But there is still no room for complacency, because for those believers who have been given much spiritual talent by God, much will be required of them by God (Luke 12:48b). And for those believers who haven't been given as much spiritual talent by God, they are still expected to accomplish something for him, and not sit back and do nothing at all for him (Matthew 25:26,30, John 15:2a, Romans 2:6-8).

 

[1watchman]

Hannah, it seems you want to know and have peace and communion with God, so let me direct you to what God says about knowing Him for all His blessings. God wants to have a relationship with us in Person.

Please carefully read all of John 3 and John 14 in your Bible thinking about each verse, and then ask God to teach you His way. It is all about that relationship, not just in praying to a god, or trying to find God by reasoning. Look up always!

 

[HannahElizaW]

unless you're in really deep sin that's affecting your walk

What does that mean? I don't understand...

 

[AGTG]

What does that mean? I don't understand...

If one is cheating on their spouse, addicted to drugs, willfully thieving, among other things, it will separate one from God. People still have freewill, God will never take the choice to serve Him away from us.

And while we should resist the temptation of sin, if we are not stumbling into gross sins such as the ones mentioned, we don't need to freak out. Keep pressing on in prayer and relationship with God. He is faithful to change and grow us up in Christ.

It's likely you don't even recognize how much you've changed. It's like going to the gym. When someone is trying to get into shape they begin their regiment. Since they see themselves every day, they don't notice the incremental changes. Four months later, when they run into an old friend, that old friends says, "Wow, you look awesome. Have you been working out?"

Growing up in God is a lot like that.

 

[agamemnonoftroy]

I've been..pretty much everywhere and have been yelled at, prayed for, 'tsk'ed, maybe some ridiculing, and constant "reassurance" with verses that have been repeated and repeated and repeated and repeated to me.

After a decent discussion with hightened anxiety I pondered over bringing myself to a full out confession of all my issues and sins and half-and-half feelings, or the "i really don't want to" emotions and how I wish I was at that breaking point for Jesus....but...when I pray and pray and pray for help and help and help...I don't..witness much change...so...is the full out confession...really...worth it? I mean, I know it's best to talk to God like He was a friend but when I pray I don't, again, see change...and when I listen....I have no idea what I'm listening for and have practically no experience whatsoever with God.

Read the Bible? Yes I do....but I have issues with It...and believe me when I say I've prayed for it...many times...I strongly wish I had that desire to throw myself face first into the Bible...but my heart has resentment or...resistance to it...people tell me and others to be aware when the Bible seems to be "veiled" and that it's just another work of the D-...enemy. When I read It...very very very very very very very rarely does something "stand out" to me. I've had moments where I read Psalms or John and there will be a verse that I can think up "Hey I can actually relate to this!".....and that'll be it. Would that even count as God saying "Yoohoo!" or from what I've described is the Bible seeming to be veiled? And for that reason alone I've prayed for it and the desire to actually read it. But then I'll pray...and pray...and pray...and then a comment will pop up "Don't Say God Is Silent When Your Bible Is Closed" and then the cycle repeats itself.

But now that I pray consistently...my prayers seem really...long...I feel like my burdens could be written out on all the spaces in a local newspaper sometimes....so is a lengthy confession really worth it? Or should I make it short and sweet?

Hannah,

Being a Christian should make you study harder.

Being a Christian should make you tidy your room better.

Being a Christian should make you wash the dishes better.

But you must concentrate on the job. And make a good job of it.

You must concentrate absolutely 100% on what you do.

Dont wash the dishes and pray at the same time.

Concentrate totally on the job at hand. Do a good job.

Be proud when you have done a good job.

Whatever you do concentrate 100% on it.

Only if you concentrate 100% will you achieve your best results.

Try it.

Tell me if it helps.

 

[AGTG]

Hannah,

Being a Christian should make you study harder.

Being a Christian should make you tidy your room better.

Being a Christian should make you wash the dishes better.

But you must concentrate on the job. And make a good job of it.

You must concentrate absolutely 100% on what you do.

Dont wash the dishes and pray at the same time.

Concentrate totally on the job at hand. Do a good job.

Be proud when you have done a good job.

Whatever you do concentrate 100% on it.

Only if you concentrate 100% will you achieve your best results.

Try it.

Tell me if it helps.

This sounds like dead religion to me. Leaning upon the "arm of the flesh" is not glorifying to God. Does that mean we just behave lax in everything? No, but we should be relaxed and at rest knowing by faith that God is doing something awesome in us and through us. We are not walking on eggshells, we're in a relationship with Father God through Jesus' atoning work of the cross.

Concentrate on God, cultivate your relationship with Jesus as your Teacher, Savior, King, and He will do awesome things in you and through you.

 

[insurchoftruth]

The prayer of faith is; first believing that we have received already, the answer of our prayer, before we can see it with the physical eyes. The prayer which is not of faith is; first to see with the physical eyes, and then believing. We can confess verses from the Bible all day long, with our mind, but unless we believe with our heart, what we confess, we will not see results, because with the heart man believes. We have to be fully convinced in our hearts, what we believe, before we can see results.

 

[HannahElizaW]

The prayer of faith is; first believing that we have received already, the answer of our prayer, before we can see it with the physical eyes. The prayer which is not of faith is; first to see with the physical eyes, and then believing.

That sounds....really confusing....if i don't think i have faith and ask for it i have to have the faith i don't have before i have more faith?.....what?

 

[HannahElizaW]

unless we believe with our heart, what we confess, we will not see results

How do i know if i have faith/believe in my heart? Can i know for certain if there's belief or faith already there??

 

[Sketcher]

How do i know if i have faith/believe in my heart? Can i know for certain if there's belief or faith already there??

Don't worry about that. Faith isn't something that you check yourself for. Rather, it consists of taking God at his word. For me, it's as simple as, "He knows I prayed it, he knows the situation better than I, and he has a perfectly righteous will for the situation." And I used to have crippling anxiety, like you seem to.

Two passages really helped me with this over the years, putting them into practice is hard at first, but like a tricep and a bicep, they compliment each other. If one seems hard, bounce to the other one.

Matthew 6:5-13:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’​

He is my Father. He adopted me, though I was unworthy. His name is holy, therefore his will is perfect. He desires to bring Heaven's healing and justice to us in his timing, and we have the privilege of helping that to happen.

Remembering these helps with the next passage, Philippians 4:6-7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.​

So remember God's character and thank him for what he has given you already. Sometimes that is very hard, but there are some key, good things that he has given you. Counting the blessings you do have is critical here. That has helped me when things seemed hopeless for me. Sometimes I had to do this multiple times a day, but really thinking about this, part of loving God with my mind, that really helps.

Doing as I described is an example of faith in action. It builds and exercises your faith, faith is like a muscle in this regard. As you use it, it gets stronger. If your faith is completely shattered, you rehab it. Keep doing that, and you use it more (for lack of a better term) normally. What you're doing is essentially the same - working it - though the load varies depending on how strong you are at the moment.

 

[agamemnonoftroy]

This sounds like dead religion to me. Leaning upon the "arm of the flesh" is not glorifying to God. Does that mean we just behave lax in everything? No, but we should be relaxed and at rest knowing by faith that God is doing something awesome in us and through us. We are not walking on eggshells, we're in a relationship with Father God through Jesus' atoning work of the cross.

Concentrate on God, cultivate your relationship with Jesus as your Teacher, Savior, King, and He will do awesome things in you and through you.

AGTG,

Do you think that your comment will help Hannah cope with her mental illness? Hannah is a Christian. Hannah needs to concentrate on doing practical things. She can show her Christianity by doing things the best that she can.

She needs to concentrate 100% on what she does.

Hannah should not try to pray while she is studing or doing the washing up.

Hannah will only achieve her best by concentrating 100% on what she does.

 

[agamemnonoftroy]

How do i know if i have faith/believe in my heart? Can i know for certain if there's belief or faith already there??

Hannah,

If you have asked Jesus to be your Saviour then you are a Christian.

Being a Christian should make you a study harder.

Being a Christian should help you tidy your room better.

Being a Christian should help you wash up the dishes better.

You must do jobs. You must do them the very best you can.

You must concentrate absolutely 100% on the job.

Every job must be done well. Very well.

You must be proud of doing a good job.

Try it.

Tell me if it works.

 

[Mister_Al]

How do i know if i have faith/believe in my heart? Can i know for certain if there's belief or faith already there??

This is how to know if you have faith--if you're praying then you believe God will answer your prayers or you wouldn't be praying to Him. There is no super mystical type of faith that you have to have to get a prayer answered, just faith the size of a mustard seed.

You either have faith or you don't. If you believe God will answer your prayer (faith) then you'll pray to Him. If you don't believe He will answer your prayer (no faith) then you won't pray. It's not that complicated.

Be Blessed,

Alan

 

[Bible2]

Mister_Al said in post 17:

If you believe God will answer your prayer (faith) then you'll pray to Him.

That's right.

"... for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).

If people don't feel any relationship with God, even though they consider themselves to be Christians, it could be because they have subconsciously hardened their heart against him because of something bad that happened in their life, like the death of a loved one, or the divorce of their parents. They could be subconsciously blaming God for letting that bad thing happen, instead of using his power to keep it from happening. If that is the case, then they need to pray and ask God to bring to their mind whatever is coming between them and him (Psalms 139:23-24), and they need to ask him to help them not to harden their heart against him (Hebrews 3:15).

If people haven't become Christians yet, all they need to do in order to become Christians is believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ and the human/divine Son of God (John 20:31, John 3:36; 1 John 2:23), and that he died on the Cross for their sins and rose physically from the dead on the 3rd day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 24:39,46,47, Matthew 20:19, Matthew 26:28).

After people become Christians, to help develop and keep up their relationship with God, they should pray to him every day, such as with the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), praising and worshipping him (Revelation 4:11), confessing their sins to him (1 John 1:9), asking him for what they need today (Luke 11:3), and thanking him for everything which he has given them (Philippians 4:6). And throughout the day, they should immediately bring to him in prayer anything which they become worried about at anytime (Philippians 4:6-7).

They should also fellowship with other Christians every day (Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25), at least in some fashion (Matthew 18:20), such as on this forum, being exhorted by them and exhorting them in turn (Hebrews 3:13).

They also need to examine themselves to make sure that they are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 14:12). The way to do this is to read every word of the Bible (Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 4:4), and see if they accept everything that it teaches as having come from God (John 8:47; 2 Timothy 3:16). For just as a true faith will initially come from reading (or hearing) what the Bible teaches (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:15), so people can know that they are remaining in the true faith if they continue to believe that everything the Bible teaches came from God (John 8:31b; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 1 Timothy 4:1, Mark 8:35-38).

In order to have any real relationship with Jesus, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), most importantly people must believe the right things about Jesus (John 14:6-7): that he is God the Word made flesh (John 1:1,14), that he is the Christ (1 John 5:1; 1 John 2:22), and that he is the only begotten (only born) Son of God (John 3:16,36; 1 John 2:23), meaning that he is the only person ever born without any human father (Luke 1:34-35). And people must believe that Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21) and so could die on the Cross for people's sins and rise from the dead on the 3rd day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He rose and will remain forever in an immortal flesh and bones human body (Luke 24:39; 2 John 1:7) as saved people's eternally-human high priest/mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 2:16-17, Hebrews 7:24-26).

Once people come into faith in Jesus, they must obey him, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit by repenting from their sins and getting water-immersion (burial) baptized into Jesus (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-5, Galatians 3:27). And they must partake of the divine flesh and blood of the bread and wine of communion (John 6:53, Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:27-30). And they can get hands laid on them to receive Holy Spirit baptism (Acts 8:17) and one or more of the Holy Spirit's wonderful Spiritual gifts (Acts 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Then, washed from their sins by water baptism (Acts 22:16), and empowered by the Holy Spirit within them (Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:16), they must each and every day for the rest of their lives deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 5:15), by continuing in the faith to the end (Hebrews 3:6,12,14, Hebrews 6:4-8, John 15:6; 2 Timothy 2:12), by repenting from every sin that they commit (Hebrews 10:26-29; 1 Corinthians 9:27, Luke 12:45-46), and by doing to the end the particular spiritual works which he has given them as individuals to do (Mark 13:34, Romans 12:6-8, Titus 3:8).

But if they as believers wrongly employ their free will to refuse to do these things, then they can't expect to have any continued real relationship with Jesus, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. For a continued real relationship with them requires that people not only continue to believe in them, but also continue to obey them (John 15:10, John 14:21,23). Faith without works is dead (James 2:20), and can't ultimately save people (James 2:14-26, Romans 2:6-8, Matthew 7:21, Hebrews 5:9).

 

[AGTG]

I have no idea what I'm listening for and have practically no experience whatsoever with God.

Read the Bible? Yes I do....but I have issues with It...and believe me when I say I've prayed for it...many times...I strongly wish I had that desire to throw myself face first into the Bible...but my heart has resentment or...resistance to it...people tell me and others to be aware when the Bible seems to be "veiled" and that it's just another work of the D-...enemy.

It appears you believe you still know what's best. Christianity, at it's very basis, is recognizing our need for God. That need encompasses everything, including our need to understand Him.

If you feel you can figure God out with your natural mind, that is not a position of humility. Come to Him with child-like trust, and He will teach you.

First thing is first, get your head straight with sin. Sin is destructive, and sin separates us from God. What is sin? God defines sin, not us. The Ten Commandments are a good starting point.

Recognizing our wretched state will help us recognize our need for a Savior. When we begin to understand the work of grace God has extended, it will humble us even more as we are not worthy of such a wonderful gift whatsoever.

Perhaps you need to start at the beginning again and renew your mind with the understanding that God extends this wonderful gift free of charge. He's saving us from the penalty of sin, and that's wonderful and humbling.

Then, knowing He has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee will empower us from this humble position so that we may overcome sin in our life, be taught by Him as we study His word, and grow to maturity.

 

[AGTG]

Simple acts of faith:

- believing Jesus died for our sins
- talking to God in prayer
- asking others to help you understand God on a forum
- trusting God will answer prayer
- trusting God will teach us
- refusing to trust in our own ability to grasp God with our intellect. And this is not to say that God wants mindless robots, but to recognize it's only through His Holy Spirit and His Word that we can understand who He is. These things are "spiritually" discerned. Which is to say that we start with faith, trust His Spirit, then, we can grasp them intellectually.