How Should Confession Look Like?

How Should Confession Look Like?

James 5:16

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed.

            The preceding section of this verse talks of one who has become sick. James states that this person should be prayed upon so that he or she may be healed. He also seems to suggest that in some cases, the sickness may be due to sin. So when the person is prayed for they will not only be healed bodily but also spiritually that is; their sins will be forgiven. Hence, how will they be prayed upon so that their sins may be forgiven if they do not confess their sins to others? Therefore, James directs his readers to confess their sins to one another. He not only suggests that people should confess their sins to one another but also that those who have heard the confession should pray for the one who has confessed. Only then will healing be administered. Therefore, healing consists of two parts which are; the transgressor confessing their sins to another person and the other person who is hearing the confessions should be praying for the transgressor. Therefore, I intimate that confession alone does not lead to healing, as much as it helps, prayer must be there for God is the one who heals not confession itself. Immediately after this statement, James talks of the prayer of a righteous man availing much. He then gives the example of Elijah who prayed fervently for drought and rain. He gives this example to show that when a righteous person thus prays, they will turn one from their error, save them from death and cover a multitude of sins. Therefore, it must be a righteous person that we are confessing to. One who takes his religious walk seriously and is fervent and consistent in communing with God.

When is the discipline of confession unhealthy?

Confession is necessary. The same verse alludes to some instances when confession is futile. The first one is already alluded to in the first paragraph. That confession without being prayed upon may help but it may not bring about healing. This is due to my deduction that it is not confession itself that heals but God who heals. This helps not put our trust on the act of confession but on God himself lest we form another Idol.

Another instance that confession may be futile is when it made to an unrighteous person. A person who does not care about God’s will and even does not show commitment and fervency in their prayers. Such a person will most likely not even pray for you and even if they pray for you, their prayers will not avail much towards restoration in the heart and to the right paths. Another probable scenario of confessing to an unrighteous person is that they will probably trust their on wisdom to do the work than in God hence, the high probability of actually causing more damage than correction. Have I disqualified therapists? absolutely not, they definitely help to some extent but there is more fruition in God as part of our confession process. Another scenario of confessing to an unrighteous person is that he may trivialize the sin or even encourage you in your sins or even participate with you in your sins. It is hence futile to confess to unrighteous men for it will not help in restoration towards God.