Confessing Sins: To God, Not Man

The Bible offers differing perspectives on whether believers should confess their sins to another person or only to God. Some Christians believe that confessing sins to a priest or another believer is a false teaching, as the Bible never speaks of having an accountability partner. Instead, they argue that believers are accountable only to God. However, others point to James 5:16, which states, Confess your sins to one another, as evidence that confession to another person can be beneficial for healing and prayer. Ultimately, Christians agree that confession to God is necessary for forgiveness, as only God can forgive sins.

Only God can forgive sins

The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). As a sinner, I’m glad we can go directly to God for forgiveness 24/7, on any day, in any year. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for sin with His shed blood on the Cross of Calvary.

Catholics agree with Protestants that "only God forgives sins. Since he is the Son of God, Jesus says of himself, 'The Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins' and exercises this divine power: 'Your sins are forgiven' (Matthew 9:6). Where they disagree is that Catholics believe that "by virtue of [Christ’s] divine authority, he gives this power to men to exercise in his name."

The Bible says, "Confess your sins to one another" (James 5:16). This is often taken out of context, as it is referring to a sick believer who is being prayed for by the elders of his church. Since sickness is sometimes caused by sin (as we see in John 5:14), the sick person is told to confess his sins so that he can be healed. This is not teaching believers to confess their sins to other believers.

The only sin that we must confess to another person is a sin that we committed against them, for example, if we have cheated or hurt them in some way (Matthew 5:23,24). We are accountable to God: "He is the only One with Whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13).

We should never talk about our past sins in detail to anyone because that glorifies Satan (who made us commit those sins) and also pollutes the minds of those who hear our confessions. We glorify God now by declaring that we are cleansed and justified by Christ's blood.

Confessing specific sins is a Roman Catholic and heathen idea, which unfortunately some Protestant writers are also encouraging nowadays. This "has the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement, but actually is of no value" (Colossians 2:23). Self-abasement is not humility, and it is not wisdom either.

God has not transferred the right to forgive sins. No Catholic priest has the power to forgive sins. No priest is a substitute for God Almighty. The Catholic confessional booth is an endless cycle of non-forgiveness. It is an unholy dungeon of hopelessness and despair. There’s only forgiveness at the foot of the Cross, not in some booth! God forgives – really forgives – "as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).

Jesus is the only mediator between God and man

The concept of a mediator is deeply rooted in the Bible, with figures like Moses and the high priests serving as intermediaries between God and the people of Israel in the Old Testament. However, these mediators were imperfect and temporary. Jesus, as the perfect and eternal mediator, fulfils and surpasses the roles of previous mediators. His human nature allows Him to fully represent humanity before God, and His divinity enables Him to be the perfect mediator who understands human weaknesses and yet remains sinless.

The Bible is clear that Jesus is the only mediator through whom we can be reconciled to God. In John 14:6, Jesus Himself says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me". This exclusivity is further emphasised in Acts 4:12, which states, "Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved".

While Jesus is the sole mediator, Christians have differing views on whether they should confess their sins to other humans. Some Christians, particularly Catholics, believe in the sacrament of confession, where sins are confessed to a priest. They interpret James 5:16, "Confess your sins to one another", as supporting this practice. However, other Christians, including many Protestants, argue that confessing sins to a priest is unnecessary and even blasphemous, as it potentially undermines Christ's singular role as mediator. They emphasise that we are accountable only to God and that confession should be made directly to Him.

Regardless of these differing views, all Christians can agree that Jesus is the only mediator who can reconcile us to God. His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection provide the basis for our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins.

Avoid pursuing holiness through the fear of man

The Bible makes it clear that we should not pursue holiness through the fear of man. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, we are commanded to "perfect holiness in the fear of God" and not in the fear of man. This means that we should not avoid sin out of shame or fear of having to confess it to others. Instead, we should confess our sins directly to God and seek His forgiveness.

The idea of having an "accountability partner" to whom one confesses all their sins regularly is not found in the New Testament. It is a teaching of human psychology and not of the Holy Spirit. While some Protestant churches encourage believers to confess their sins to one another, this can be dangerous as it can lead to verses being taken out of context and used to support false teachings.

The only time we are instructed to confess our sins to another person is when we have sinned against them (Matthew 5:23,24). In this case, confessing our sins can help to restore fellowship and undo any consequences of the sin. However, we should be careful not to share the details of our past sins with anyone, as this can glorify Satan and pollute the minds of those who hear our confessions.

Instead of confessing our sins to man, we should confess them directly to God. He is the only one who can forgive us and remove our sins (1 John 1:9). Jesus Christ, our High Priest, is the only mediator between mankind and God (Hebrews 7:25). When we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful to forgive us (1 John 1:9). We can come boldly to God's throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16) and receive His mercy and forgiveness (Proverbs 28:13).

In conclusion, we should avoid pursuing holiness through the fear of man. Instead, we should confess our sins directly to God and seek His forgiveness. He is the only one who can truly forgive and restore us.

Do not glorify Satan by mentioning details of past sins

Christians are warned against confessing their sins to other people, as this is considered glorifying Satan and polluting the minds of those who hear the confessions. Instead, Christians should focus on declaring that they are cleansed and justified by Christ's blood, glorifying God for the work He has done in them.

When giving their testimony, Christians should avoid glorifying Satan by mentioning details of their past sins. Instead, they should focus on the positive aspects of their journey and how God has worked in their lives. This includes speaking about their encounter with the Lord and how He has transformed them, rather than dwelling on their past mistakes or sins.

It is important to acknowledge that we are sinners saved by God's grace and to confess our sins directly to God. However, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of repeatedly confessing the same sins or using confession as a way to avoid dealing with the root causes of our sins.

Additionally, Christians should be cautious about blaming Satan for their sins and temptations. While Satan is a real entity, he is not omnipresent or omniscient, and he cannot make us sin. Our sins are a result of our own choices and desires, and we must take responsibility for them.

By focusing on God's forgiveness, grace, and transformation in our lives, we can avoid glorifying Satan and give all the glory to God.

Confess sins committed against another person to them

While the Bible does instruct Christians to "confess your sins to one another" (James 5:16), it is important to be discerning about when and how to do this.

Firstly, it is crucial to confess your sins to God and seek His forgiveness. All sins are ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4), and only He can absolve us of our sins (Psalm 130; 1 Timothy 2:5).

However, there are times when it is appropriate and necessary to confess your sins to another person. If you have sinned against someone, it is right to confess this to them, seek their forgiveness, and try to restore the relationship. This is a vulnerable act that requires courage and humility, but it can bring healing and freedom from guilt (James 5:16); Proverbs 28:13; Psalm 32:2; 1 John 1:8–10.

When confessing to someone you have wronged, be straightforward and specific. Simply state what you did, express your sorrow, and ask for forgiveness. It is not necessary to share unnecessary details or dramatize the situation. If the person you have wronged is not ready to forgive you, you will need to accept this consequence, but you will have done what you can to make things right.

It is also beneficial to confess your sins to a trusted fellow believer who can provide spiritual and practical support, as well as pray for you (James 5:16). This can bring things into the light and help you overcome sin struggles. However, be discerning about who you confess to, choosing a mature believer who will handle your confession with wisdom and discretion.

In summary, while it is vital to confess your sins to God, there are times when it is appropriate to confess your sins to another person, especially when you have wronged them. Confess with humility, specificity, and a desire for restoration and healing.

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