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Confession: Own Your Sin

Writer: Dwight SchettlerDwight Schettler
20 hours ago3 min read

Guidelines for Confession

Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 4, Question 25, p. 62

The next of the Guidelines for Confession is Own your sin. Make no excuses. Don’t blame others. Avoid language that minimizes your confession or shifts blame (e.g., words like if or but). For example, consider saying “I was wrong” or "I have sinned against you" rather than the normal “I’m sorry,” which can mean something other than “I was wrong.”


In Numbers 5:5-7, the Bible instructs: "The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.'" This passage highlights the importance of acknowledging one's guilt and making restitution, emphasizing the need for true confession without excuses or blame.


Psalm 32:3-5 further elaborates on the benefits of honest confession: "For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin." This psalm reflects the release and healing that come from owning one's sin and confessing it to God.


Similarly, Psalm 51:3-4 expresses: "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment." David's heartfelt admission of his wrongdoing underscores the importance of recognizing our sins and repenting sincerely.


Owning our sin is a vital step in showing contrition. It involves facing our wrongs head-on, without shifting blame or minimizing our actions. By genuinely confessing our sins, we open the door to forgiveness and renewal.


As Psalm 103:11-12 beautifully proclaims: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." Through God's abundant grace, when we own our sins and seek His forgiveness, we are granted a fresh start, free from the burdens of our past transgressions.


Let us embrace the practice of owning our sins, confessing sincerely, and experiencing the profound forgiveness and freedom that God offers.


 

This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:

 
 
 

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