Together in Christ: 'Real People with Real People' — James 5:16

When we've blown it and Satan has taken us down with sin, our first inclination - an inclination of the flesh fueled by fear inflamed by pride - is to HIDE! ^[1] But that is exactly the wrong reaction. This is why three things are essential about the confession of sin as James describes it in our passage and its context:

1. Genuine confession means more than admitting privately to God that we have sinned; confession must be accompanied by repentance. ^[2] Being sorrowful with God about our sin is essential for repentance, but we must also realize it is not full repentance. Being sorry and grieved because we have sinned is "godly sorrow" that "brings repentance." ^[3] Genuine repentance must always include changes in our behavior. Repentance is a heart change that triggers a turnaround in our behavior to live for God. ^[4]
2. Genuine confession also involves confessing to another person. Satan loves to attack us when we are alone ^[5] and deceive us with lies he puts into our thinking. We need another person or two who will walk beside us, encourage us, and challenge us when we are going astray in our thinking or living. ^[6] We need the spiritual input of a Spirit-led person to help us learn to challenge the deceitful lies of the evil one who wants to destroy us. So many of us assume we have to believe what we think. However, when our lives move away from God, the devil can convince us of his lies, and without help, we may not challenge and defeat those lies. ^[7]
3. Genuine confession is enhanced by the "earnest prayer" of a faithful follower of Jesus. ^[8] This kind of prayer is powerful. It is encouraging. And it reinforces God's forgiveness of our sins and reminds us that our sins are not just forgiven, but that we are cleansed ^[98] and that we are in fellowship with other believers who support us. ^[10]

Satan wants us to think confession is embarrassing and demeaning. God wants us to know it is liberating. Genuine confession frees us from guilt. It restores our relationship with the Father. We are brought into closer fellowship with other loving believers. We are strengthened in our walk with Jesus and empowered by the Spirit to live for Jesus. ^[11] Let's not let Satan rob us of the full blessing of godly sorrow, honest confession, and genuine repentance!