Who Do I Confess My Sins To?

[Paul Christensen]

1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sin, then God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

This Scripture implies that we confess our sins to God, and it is not necessary to confess them to anyone else, because no one is faithful and just like God to totally forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The problem with confessing sin to others, is that the confession can be used the wrong way, and published in areas where we would not wish them to be. I was in a church where people went to the elders for counselling, and the elders went home and told their wives, and the problems came out publicly in the church prayer meetings. This was a total breach of confidentiality.

I don't confess my sins to anyone but God, because He is the one who forgives and forgets and buries my sins in the deepest sea of His forgetfulness and puts up a sign "No Fishing". If I confess my sins to anyone else, there is no guarantee that they will forget them, and this would not be to my advantage or benefit. I confess my sins to the Person who is able to forgive.

I would never confess my sins to a priest, because nowhere in Scripture does it support that a man acting as a priest has the god-given right to forgive sins. Even the Jewish leaders said about Jesus when He forgave the paralytic his sins, "Who but God can forgive sins?" So, a priest giving absolution has not value to God at all, and it is nonsense for a priest to declare a person forgiven, when that person has never and never will repent of that sin in his or her heart. Only God knows the hearts, and knows that when we confess our sins to Him and our heart is in it, He knows that He can forgive and forget our sin because we have genuinely repented of it and is willing to forsake it.

Also, I am not a fan of these people who publicly "testify" of their past sinful life and how they were on drugs, went to prostitutes, committed crimes, to great details before they came to Christ. How can they relate all this if they have genuinely repented, confessed to God and God having forgiven, forgotten, and buried their sinful life in the deepest sea of His forgetfulness. Are they not grieving the Holy Spirit by dredging up their past sins? Is not that an insult to God? I think that there is an element of pride in the fact that they were great sinners and God did them a great favour by saving them!

There are things in my past that I am not proud of, but I know that God has forgotten about them. If they came back to mind, I treat the memories as the devil bringing them up to shame me and to corrupt my faith in the forgiveness of God.

 

[Windmill Charge]

I confess my sins to the Person who is able to forgive.

Got it in one, we confess our sins to Jesus.

 

[Brakelite]

When we testify that we were once addicts... thieves... Blasphemers... Idolators etc etc, and are now living free from bondage and sin, we accomplish two things. We testify to the power, and the love, and the grace of a God Who keeps His promises. Second, we give confidence to those struggling with sin that God can and does work miracles. It gives hope. And brings glory to God.

 

[Giuliano]

I think when I sin, I need to confess it first to the person I sinned against and ask him for forgiveness and try to correct any damage I did. Then I am in a position to ask for God's forgiveness. I can't steal your bicycle, keep it and ask for God to forgive me. I have to be truly sorry I did it, wish I hadn't done it and wish to undo the damage I did. Asking God to forgive me when I don't care about how I damage other people is a joke.

1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

I am not a Catholic; but if I were, I would hope to have a priest help me sort out how to repair the damage I've done to others. I fear sometimes that maybe I'm too lax with myself -- that maybe a priest would be more honest about what I need to do to try to fix things.

Jesus said our offerings are not acceptable to God under some conditions. I've a feeling God wouldn't want even to see me if I have offended others and not tried to fix things with them.

Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

If I want to keep your bicycle, I'm not really sorry I stole it. To think God would forgive us if we don't really repent is nonsense. Let no man then deceive himself into thinking he can con God. Maybe we can lie to other people and get them to think we're sorry when we aren't, but we can't fool God that way. I must return your bicycle and ask your forgiveness.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

I would never confess my sins to a priest, because nowhere in Scripture does it support that a man acting as a priest has the god-given right to forgive sins.

You err not knowing the scriptures. There is a passage where Jesus said his disciples had the power to remit sins.

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

There are ways for us all to help others gain forgiveness by letting them know we are willing to help bear their burdens if they will do the right thing.

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Also, I am not a fan of these people who publicly "testify" of their past sinful life and how they were on drugs, went to prostitutes, committed crimes, to great details before they came to Christ. How can they relate all this if they have genuinely repented, confessed to God and God having forgiven, forgotten, and buried their sinful life in the deepest sea of His forgetfulness. Are they not grieving the Holy Spirit by dredging up their past sins? Is not that an insult to God? I think that there is an element of pride in the fact that they were great sinners and God did them a great favour by saving them!

If they are, then maybe you should edit your Bible.

It depends on their message. I am glad, myself, that the Bible has its stories about when people failed and how they found forgiveness. I don't think we should edit the Bible to take out Peter's mistakes. You apparently object to that sort of thing in real life -- but do you also object to it when you read things like that in the Bible?

I wouldn't judge others for admitting their past sins, not if their message is one of, "If God can forgive me, He can forgive you." So no, people are not necessarily grieving the Holy Spirit by mentioning past sins.

I generally don't go around talking about my past sins unless I run into someone who has similar weaknesses. When I see they have problems similar to ones I faced, I want to tell them I know those problems can be fixed, I know it from personal experience. I want them to feel as free of guilt as I do. I hope you don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[Giuliano]

Got it in one, we confess our sins to Jesus.

Is it that simple all the time?

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

[GTW27]

When we testify that we were once addicts... thieves... Blasphemers... Idolators etc etc, and are now living free from bondage and sin, we accomplish two things. We testify to the power, and the love, and the grace of a God Who keeps His promises. Second, we give confidence to those struggling with sin that God can and does work miracles. It gives hope. And brings glory to God.

From the eyes and hearts of darkness, to the eyes of light, and the hearts of Love, oh what a testimony it is. To change is temporal, but to be changed is eternal. "And they conquored by the Blood of The Lamb and the word of their testimony.

 

[Seasoned by Grace]

What a FANTASTIC topic, and what wonderful responses so far.

God bless you all.

 

[Taken]

Who Do I Confess My Sins To?
OP^

That is dependent upon WHO "I" is.

A Faithful Jew, practicing Judasism...
THEY from the formation Of the Tribes, customarily, took a Sin offering (pure, animal) to the Temple to ask and receive sin forgiveness from God.
Also ~
According to Their Mosaic Laws...
SIN was Not "Only" Against God;
SIN was ALSO infractions of man AGAINST man, or his property.

(Their custom of sin offering was kaput, when the Temple was destroyed, what or how or how often now, I think has to do with prayers to God, at the remaining Temple wall.)
I would suppose, Tribes, Remaining Under the Law; continue the Law of ALSO man sinning Against man, and continue the Mosaic (Penal) Remedy for those infractions.

A "Christian", (following, but NOT Committed), I believe is not heard by God.

A "Converted" man (IN Christ), Christian, or Messanic Jew, or whatever they call themselves;
Has Already Solicited the Lord God, Repented, Received Forgiveness and is no longer capable of Committing Sin...

That ^ Applies to me.
I was never Under Mosaic Law, thus there was No Law for me to Sin Against man.

Jesus' fulfillment of the Law, EFFECTED, the Tribes. Some accepted the Fulfillment and became Converted...many chose to Forgo Christ Jesus' Forgiveness and Remain Under the Law of their forefathers...seeking Gods Forgiveness.

Christ the Lord Jesus' forgave All of my Sins Against God...from being naturally born in Sin, Corrupting my soul, Having Truth in my natural spirit that did not parallel Gods Truths.

So in fact...My Sin "WAS" only Against God...
And I never undermine The Lords power and repeatedly ask Him to forgive me what He has already forgiven me.

I can Not ever again, Sin Against God.
I can never Again Not Believe IN Him, trust Him, Love Him, KNOW Him, Be Without Him.

I asked for that... when He offered, and I elected to Receive His Offer, and by His Grace and Power and Word MADE me Converted IN Christ, ONCE and Forever.

Pertaining to myself and other men...I can not sin against them, nor can they sin against me, nor can I forgive them of sin, nor can they forgive me of sin.

Other men CAN trespass against me or my property...and visa versa.
I can forgive other men of trespassing against me, my property and visa versa.

Scripture Teaches...(so I do not have to ASK God), that "IF", I forgive men their Trespasses against me; so also God shall forgive my Trespasses against men.

(And a good time to note; the umpteen millions of people gulping down chemical compounds to relieve "their", depression, anxieties, etc., in my observation, hinges a great deal in their harboring and keeping things in the forefront that they refuse to Forgive Trespasses against them.)

Anyway, I know many Gentile churches teach two opposites... The Law IS Fulfilled and you can be Free from Sin, through Christ Conversion...
BUT...you continue to TRESPASS oops No, you continue to SIN Against men, and must ask God, through Christ Jesus to Forgive you...(as if) Mosaic Law kinda sorta does Apply to you...

Don't believe that, and never understood, Why a man Lying to his spouse, would mean, to run and tell God and ASK "His" Forgiveness, when it was the "spouse", that was Trespassed Against!

Even in today's society, people are Not hesatent to say they are sorry for this or that, but rarely do they ask the other for forgiveness of the trespass.

And BTW...while my prayers are Not Repeatedly Asking the Lord for Forgiveness, They rather are for Repeated Thankfulness for the many Blessings He has Blessed me with.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[Mungo]

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, take up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Mt 9:4-8)

And Jesus said to the apostles:
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn 20:22-23)

Just previously he had said to them:
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”

Jesus was sent with the power and authority to forgive and retain sins (see Mt 9:4-8 above).

Jesus was sent with the power and authority to pass on this power and authority to forgive and retain sins.

He passed on this power and authority to forgive and retain sins to specific individuals - the Apostles (see Jn 20:22-23 above)

He also sent them in the same manner God the Father sent Him (see Jn 20:21 above), which means he passed on his power and authority to pass on his power and authority . .

So the Apostles not only received the power and authority to forgive and retain sins, they also received the power and authority to pass this on to others.

And they did . . and those they passed it on to passed it on to others, and those others passed it on to others, and those others passed it on to others. . and so forth through the centuries and millennia and still those others have the authority and power to forgive and retain sins and to pass that authority onto others.

They are called Bishops and priests.

 

[Mungo]

A "Converted" man (IN Christ), Christian, or Messanic Jew, or whatever they call themselves;
Has Already Solicited the Lord God, Repented, Received Forgiveness and is no longer capable of Committing Sin...

That ^ Applies to me.

Taken

You appear to be living in a fantasy world of your own making.

 

[Paul Christensen]

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, take up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Mt 9:4-8)

And Jesus said to the apostles:
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn 20:22-23)

Just previously he had said to them:
“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”

Jesus was sent with the power and authority to forgive and retain sins (see Mt 9:4-8 above).

Jesus was sent with the power and authority to pass on this power and authority to forgive and retain sins.

He passed on this power and authority to forgive and retain sins to specific individuals - the Apostles (see Jn 20:22-23 above)

He also sent them in the same manner God the Father sent Him (see Jn 20:21 above), which means he passed on his power and authority to pass on his power and authority . .

So the Apostles not only received the power and authority to forgive and retain sins, they also received the power and authority to pass this on to others.

And they did . . and those they passed it on to passed it on to others, and those others passed it on to others, and those others passed it on to others. . and so forth through the centuries and millennia and still those others have the authority and power to forgive and retain sins and to pass that authority onto others.

They are called Bishops and priests.

The only person who can forgive my sins is the person who has never sinned, and therefore is not a sinner like me or anyone else.

 

[Brakelite]

The only person who can forgive my sins is the person who has never sinned, and therefore is not a sinner like me or anyone else.

I would add, that not only is there only One Who can forgive sin, but only that one can give the power and Spirit to overcome it.

 

[Mungo]

The only person who can forgive my sins is the person who has never sinned, and therefore is not a sinner like me or anyone else.

How about answering the points I made - backed up by scripture - rather than just giving us your opinion.

 

[Taken]

You appear to be living in a fantasy world of your own making.

It not my own making. That credit goes to God.
It may appear Fantasy to you...and that's okay...Since the correct term is Spiritual Understanding, which I already know does not apply to all men.

Have a nice day,
Taken

 

[Mungo]

It not my own making. That credit goes to God.
It may appear Fantasy to you...and that's okay...Since the correct term is Spiritual Understanding, which I already know does not apply to all men.

Have a nice day,
Taken

Well I see no scripture - only your opinions.

 

[Taken]

Well I see no scripture - only your opinions.

Then perhaps you should back track to the beginning of the conversation or look for scripture yourself or be more precise in what you are looking for...as I don't intend to be a mind reader or to recite the entire Bible to you.

 

[Paul Christensen]

I would add, that not only is there only One Who can forgive sin, but only that one can give the power and Spirit to overcome it.

I don't think that a bishop or a priest can forgive sins of other people if he has sins in himself that need forgiveness. The Scripture says "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God", including bishops and priests.

 

[Paul Christensen]

How about answering the points I made - backed up by scripture - rather than just giving us your opinion.

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
"There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10).

One sinful person cannot forgive another sinful person. Only a person totally without sin can forgive a sinful person.

 

[Mungo]

Then perhaps you should back track to the beginning of the conversation or look for scripture yourself or be more precise in what you are looking for...as I don't intend to be a mind reader or to recite the entire Bible to you.

Perhaps you should give some scripture instead of just your opinions

 

[Mungo]

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
"There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10).

One sinful person cannot forgive another sinful person. Only a person totally without sin can forgive a sinful person.

And the scriptural support for that opinion is?