Being Real with Others by Confessing Sin

The Missing Piece: Being Real with Others by Confessing Sin

Everybody sins

For I was born a sinner Psalm 51:5 NLT

For everyone has sinned; we all fall
short of God’s glorious standard. Romans
3:23 NLT

If we claim we have no sin, we are
only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  1 John
1:8 NLT

I must learn to be real with
others about my sin

This is a trustworthy saying, and
everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” —and I am the worst of them
all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime
example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in
him and receive eternal life.  1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT

I confess to God for forgiveness

But if we confess our sins to him, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT

I confess believers for healing

Confess your sins to each other and
pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16 NLT

What do we confess?

Thoughts
 

• But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already
  committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew
  5:28 NLT

Feelings

• Jealousy: For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. James 3:15 NLT
• Anger: And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Ephesians 4:26-27 NLT

Actions

• Turn away from evil and do good. 1 Peter 3:11 NLT

I must learn to receive confession
from others

Love
them like you are Jesus

God
knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:8 NLT

Point
them to Christ-like:

Thinking

• Fix
  your thoughts on what is true,
  and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Philippians 4:8 NLT

Actions

• For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just
  as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his
  steps. 1 Peter 2:21 NLT

Feelings

• Even
  if we feel guilty, God is
  greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20 NLT