The Big “If”
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NASB
Confess – What does it mean to confess our sins? Does it require verbal affirmation of specific acts? Does it mean a change of heart? Does it work if we just say something silently? And what are the expected results, or are there any?
At one time or another, most of us have confessed. We told someone what we did. We went to the altar. We cried out to God in a lonely place. We might have wept or felt disappointed with ourselves. We had some experience of expiation, and hopefully, of resolution. We waited to feel the relief of guilt removed. But pretty soon we were back, feeling once more the great gap between our desires to do what is right and our self-motivated behaviors. The process started over. We were back a Square One.
Is this really confession?
The Greek term is homologia. As you can see, it is literally “the same word.” The idea is to consent to the truth of something, to affirm it. But verbal agreement isn’t the end of the story. “The noun homología is important in Socratic dialogue as indicating consent to what is found to be valid followed by the appropriate resolve and action; theoretical assent is not enough. In the Stoics there is a shift from the thought of actual conduct to the idea of an integrated state of life.”[1] In the Hebrew way of life, “The persons afflicted confess their faults, invoke divine mercy, promise a song and offering, and then fulfill the vow.”[2] Notice that there is a subsequent confirming action, a kind of public declaration that allows accountability by others. Despite the literal definition, “homología may still denote the confession of sin; public confession is presupposed.”[3]
Confession is typically audible and social. Why? Why isn’t it sufficient to recite our sins in private, to avoid the embarrassment and humiliation that accompanies social revelation? Perhaps there are two reasons. The first is that the Hebrew way of life is primarily social. It is “group-think,” involvement in a society, a family, intimately connected to each other. We cannot act transparently with each other if we don’t really know each other. And that means we must trust each other with the potentially damaging information of a confession.
Secondly, social confession encourages accountability. Private confession doesn’t provide the oversight of another. When someone else knows my real story, then I have a shield against repetition. Someone else is watching over me. I might not like it (because I am such a “private” person), but it seems that confession only succeeds when there is another person to assist in the transformation. Once again, God’s instructions tie me to other people.
Two warnings finish the thought. “Knowledge does not necessarily include confession (Mt. 10:19; Jn. 12:42), and present confession does not rule out future denial (Peter).”[4] Because real, social, accountable confession included admission and change, confession always implies acceptance, commitment, and obedience. “Confession does not release from obedience but demands it.”[5] In other words, asking forgiveness is no good unless your life changes as a result.
Confession is the big “if.” God will do His part if we do ours. And as we have discovered, it’s a lot more than just saying, “I’m sorry.”
Topical Index: confession, homologia, 1 John 1:9
[1] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (687). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
CHILDREN UNDER THE BRIDGE
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What is confession? Humility to admit the truth. What is the truth? That I have been “missing the mark”. What is missing the mark? Being fractured from connection. What is connection? The function of obedience to the standard that spells out that connection (love).
Huge epiphany for me was when I realized that if you defined the problem correctly (would that be “admitting the truth”, or, confession?) the answer, or, solution, would always be found in that definition of that problem. To me, confession IS defining the problem correctly. What is confession? Admission of sin according to the Law. What is the answer to sin? Obedience according to that same Law. Confession is where I reconnect (there’s that obedience) with others.
If you do not know how to fix the problem, you are still most likely part of it. Confession separates me from my sin: it fractures me from it, and fracture is death. Confession is HOW I “die to sin” (ever “crawled with embarrassment”, or even “died” with it? We know this stuff). Obedience is how I stay that way. What is public confession? Witness. We are called to be witnesses – “spectacles” – a public hanging of sin. (Hey, a fight is only embarrassing if you lost! Witness can be fun, too.) I have found that it is not a problem to admit my problems: it is only a problem if I am still trying to act like there isn’t one. A proper witness is a public declaration of a problem solved. Witness is where I declare the solution of my fracture from you.
Love is simultaneously the most attractive and the most frightening thing of all, for it calls those around us to either respond with love in return or with a public declaration of the rejection of love. I was thinking the other day about how the apostles spread the Good News across the entire planet in their lifetime, and it was the single most divisive, decisive thing ever. Rome and other ‘powers’ found that you either had to kill it or embrace it. Witness, or, the public declaration of love, is a call to a choice to the same. Love never just ‘gets along’. When I testify to my sin of fracture from you, I am issuing a challenge to you to love me back. People then have a choice of either embracing me in return or stoning me. Yep, public confession is a big deal, all right!
Hello everyone I’m not sure why I’m thinking of this concept but I think it has some relative parallel. The parallel is this Mercy we must know and confess what we did wrong so that we can receive his Mercy. Mercy is not to be taken lightly. Thanks
Question: So in today’s world an environment – how would this be applied?
Simply? Deeds not words. And if you know it’s wrong don’t do it again.
Maybe these thoughts will help. If one is going to be judged on any account the one does judging would have Authority and then you would need about 60 people (same number in today’s courtrooms. Do not know where they get this number) these people would be the witnesses it would be a trial a set amount of time.
To see actions lineup with the words . That would help us understand…. And he was judged by a trial of his peers. Correct by adding or subtracting anything that is needed this is very important.. thank you
I apologize for the lake response to yesterday’s post. There is a site called The Society of biblical literature. Goes back to the eighteen hundreds. I just found it recently it is pretty good maybe you will like it also.
Wouldn’t that be a Blessing and a miracle.
I wonder if HaShem considers text confession a valid confession? Maybe he has a tech angel checking text for pliable hearts and change., or offers a computer generated forgiveness. ” i’m sorry thinking of you. please forgive me for my part… please accept my thoughts and prayers…..
Many of us have read”The Law’s of Repentance by Maimonides, or the confession we make during the Days of Awe , communally and privately. What is restitution and what is forgivable and when ?
Personal Tikkun is why we are in relationship and community, because it is so hard and necessary to mature. Did you get the Mature Drivers license when you where born … or past the wisdom maturity test in relationship???? Who would we be without our PRIDE, an average human.. We need this Tikkun of our hearts and relationships .
What is between man and man has to be worked out hear while you can. Thank you Adonai, for forgiveness and the courage of those that seek it.
I wonder how this relates to what I’ve read about the Hebrew concept of “vituy” when a sacrifice is offered? It seems that the confession in that instance had more to do with what God was doing instead of what I have done…that the sacrificial victim was taking my sin and I am receiving his innocence. What do you think?
A word of caution here…
Lest this blog begin down the road of encouraging it’s posters to begin posting their innermost ‘confessions’ or even throwing emails back and forth w/the same….the internet is NOT private. EVERYTHING you place on it, is up for grabs by someone, and not all, even those you count as your innermost bestie, are not going to handle your heart the same way you would, additionally, they might decide they know your story and have expectation of your actions that SOUND holy and good, but have nothing to do w/the walk YHVH may have for you.
Alcoholics Anonymous has long utilized the ‘list your failings’ and ‘make your amends’ approach and they do have success, but i do not encourage nor believe this approach to be holy. I find it to be man’s approach to doing what YHVH initially laid out for our benefit, and like everything else in man’s toolbox, it is an imitation, not the real thing.
While recognizing is probably THE important thing…rushing to the end result through public ‘confession’ and ‘forgiveness’ sets everyone up fro behavior based acts that appear correct, holy, but do not have the sustaining undergirding of YHVH’s guidance now the path of humility and .
Substituting the work of the flesh for the work of the Spirit is never going to get you where you want to be.
The prophets of old stood accountable before YHVH, their lives were holy according to the walk YHVH put them on, and yet they were hated, reviled and even put to death for their obedience. Obedience that was private, before YHVH only, and under public scrutiny it fell short.
Something to consider.
Let me give an example; there was a time in my life where i lived by the ‘forgiveness’ approach. No matt what, i forgave you.
You know what the did for me in my personal life? It set me up for those i fellowshipped with, who believed the same thing, once should forgive no matter what…that fellowship set me up for abuse. Forgiveness became their call sign, and their behavior would be so appalling that i would be in confusion just observing it and they would say to me <in the midst of their abusive actions YOU MUST FORGIVE ME!!!
i’m being serious.
I do not believe that people who behave abusively have the right to dictate the actions of their abused. That would be point 1.
I had some issues in my life that i was addressing and i hit a roadblock. I kept thinking…this will take …forever….to forgive all the things i need to remember to forgive… I was overwhelmed and shut down.
I got a call from someone in my past, they reminded me of a <specific event; this event was the nexus of a series of other life events, it was crazy how i was made aware of it and how important it was.
I dealt with THAT ONE SPECIFIC event…everything around it came crashing down. Simple.
The difference? My listing out and sifting my life was MY APPROACH, the flesh in action. When i stopped the flesh and prayed, i got an answer, not immediate, but quickly, and that answer was that call, which made the difference.
The difference is subtle, but profound.
The answer is NOT, in my mind, proven out in my life, ‘community’, at large, but relationship FIRST w/YHVH, and the willingness to seek him FIRST.
Everything else is sand.
dang, what a mess…i tried to be careful, my apologies, i do not have edit rights.
Neh 9:2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
Neh 9:3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the L-RD their G-d one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the L-RD their G-d.
While Israel was together, listening diligently out of the book of the law distinctly, they obeyed as their hearts were convicted it appears. They each stand together & alone with their specific sins and iniquities.
We must guard our hearts to whom we share our confessions or lives with. It is unfortunate that many may not be mature enough to hear our confessions. I admit I have experienced abuses from trusting in others to be confidential or not have an ulterior motive with my information. Sadly, I have encountered people even in ministry who have had an agenda to fleece the sheep or exploit them in some way.
“I do not believe that people who behave abusively have the right to dictate the actions of their abused”. I agree, abusers are narcissistic control freaks they want you to forgive them, to abuse more. That is twisted forgiveness. I have seen this in spiritual abuse and it is equally as ungodly.
The confession of witness before the world is ALREADY conquered sin, which is a position of power, not weakness.
The 2 Great Commands spell out the order, which btw emphasizes: get it right with YHVH first, then go from there.
All abuse comes from “inordinate affection”. Out Of Order. I read “call no man your master” and adjusted my affection disorder when I learned that sin requires some good person, somewhere, to DO NOTHING, or at least ‘get along’ neither of which are righteous when it comes to sin. Inordinate affection “in the name of love” puts some person (calls them “master”) ABOVE YHVH. I am helpless in abuse when I agree. I was sinning because I was not trusting God FIRST, and others were taking advantage of that weakness caused by that sin.
Abuse requires us to agree with it IN THE NAME OF LOVE. Again, as btw spells out. She knows what she is talking about. I had to learn that abuse works by taking advantage of the bitterness (sin of the victim) as the primary weakness it feeds on, with the other one being not trusting God first.. “Detachment with love” was what Yeshua practiced on the cross, but I guarantee that He was not agreeing with His abusers! When I learned how to do that, I no longer had weakness and abuse therefore no longer messed up my life. I gained power back when I learned to stop my part of the problem.
Sin (abuse) of others only has power over you if it can get you to sin (weakness) too, and the #1 sin it uses to control you is (I have found), bitterness, with fear (idolatry of man) running a close second and shame that results from failure of love cementing the whole mess. The martyrs burning at stakes were poster children of how NOT to agree with abusers. They “loved not their lives unto death” and they were not kissing anyone’s donkey either.
I am not disagreeing with btw, and I totally respect her experience and wisdom, but I was helpless in abuse until I learned HOW I was aiding and abetting the problem. Yes, I learned that info in a 12 step room, but I never did a fourth step inventory with another person and never got a ‘sponsor’ either. I took what I liked (education) and left the rest. I agree with Flint, stick with the Torah followers BUT, there was no other available resource that was free that was teaching about abuse (for me, that was Alanon). I no longer go, because with YHVH there is confession of sin that leads to DELIVERANCE. Halleluah! I was told that AA used to do deliverance and taught Biblical principles until they went PC. Sigh.
Laurita this blog is a PUBLIC forum. It is unsafe and unwise to ask or encourage newcomers to to share ‘their story’ on it. It is NOT safe for them to do so.
Please remember that. I have seen you do that a number of times, in various ways, the last being your post to Flint.
For their personal safety, please do not do that. If you have been watching the news on the latest computer viruses…it’s just not safe.
thank you
I am not disagreeing with you or asking that others share on this forum, either, but I have also found that we are called to public witness, which is not the same as listing our private weakness. Public sharing is about conquered sin and forgiven sin. That is what I am talking about. At some point, we have to find the place of the power of properly applied trust and figure out how to stand there.
One day we may all stand before the world as witnesses. I hope and pray that we stand in the power of conquered sin and forgiven sins against us when we do.
I think you are referring to stuff that has not been healed, and I agree with that.
Public sharing as depicted in the Scriptures is a far cry from the world of the internet, where personal witness can become the fodder for others to exploit, especially when they have no way of knowing details that make the difference.
I was involved in the room’s years ago in Key West those who practiced New Age spirituality would attend to hear the morning meeting & recruits these broken people.
I decided to attend a local group in my new area. I knew it was a mixed group of people but a way to connect with locals as I felt at that time a need for nonjudgmental folks. I began to actually read the Big Book and 12 & 12 which I had never done as drinking was not my issues and NA was dark. I have to say while I found SOME “scriptural” material in the BB of AA and I did a study of AA history. I found the entire readings full of occultism, driven-ness and more that was disturbing.
Sadly, the increase of recruiting by the darkness to those broken lives made me very upset. They had no real love loss for me either. Even calling a RO (leader) to throw me out for “not having their beliefs”. While some may be Torah keepers, they are singled out if you can “discern them” they can read you. Word to the wise.
John’s statement seems to find agreement with what was taught in the Tanakh:
“He who conceals his transgressions (sins) will not prosper, But he who confesses AND forsakes them will find compassion.” (Proverbs 28:13)
“I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.” (Psalm 32:5)
I believe to confess would first require a change of heart. What we commonly call repentance. Re=recognizing the sin, Pen=Having a penitent heart, Tan=A tangible change of heart and Ce=Ceasing all sin and unrighteousness.
I suspect this would be part of, as you say, “The Hebrew way of life” “The persons afflicted confess their faults, invoke divine mercy, promise a song and offering, and then fulfill the vow.
I find this way of life intriguing especially in the mention of “fulfilling the wow.
Is this the same VOW that is mentioned twice in the book of Jonah (The book on repentance) where the sailors renewed vows and so did Jonah.
Looking at the Hebrew word for vow (Neder – a vow, a promise) we find the root (Nadar – a vow, to do or give something to God) which seems like what we would expect from the word vow. However, I noted in the “Blue Letter Bible.org that an additional definition from the “Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon reveals at priory a meaning of (to fall out, to drop down, as the grain from the winnowing instrument upon the threshing floor. This root is cognate to words of sowing and scattering.)
What does sowing and scattering have to do with a vow?
Could it be about Galatians 6:7-8 “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.”