James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

DID I DO THAT?

“Seriously, James? You expect me to confess my sins to someone else? Get real! I can’t divulge my sins to another human being – not even my family!” Yep, that’s what the Word says here. We are to be so vulnerable with our fellow believers that we are willing to share with them our shortfalls or mistakes. That sounds dangerous, doesn’t it? What if they blab about your sins? That would be so embarrassing.

Well, look at the verse. It says the “effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” You don’t spill the beans to just anyone. You share them with those whom are righteous and are seeking the Lord on your behalf. I have a group of guys with whom I can share those things. They hold be accountable. They call me on the carpet, if need be. I need that. I need others in my life to help guard my thoughts and actions.

TEACHING MOMENT

Teach your children to confess! They can do that by praying with you and telling the Lord all about their sins. You can guide them in that by confessing your sins as you pray with them. Now, I don’t mean you should divulge past sins that would shock or even scare them (we all have a few of those, don’t we?). I mean let them hear you confess to the Lord. They need to see that we ALL need to do that. Then explain to them that by praying together and confessing in front of each other to the Lord, you are living out this verse.

They say confession is good for the soul. It really is. By keeping a clean slate, you have a clear path to the throne of God. Confessing to others also frees up our life to not be “looking over our shoulder” for those things we are trying to hide from view. It is truly a freeing feeling. Don’t you want to live free and unhindered? Then confess it all today.