Principally, all sin is against God and must be confessed only to Him in the closet of prayer. Notice that even after David sinned with Bathsheba and killed Uriah, he prayed, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” Psalm 51:4.
When Achan was identified by God for stealing, his sin was against God and the people. Joshua told him, “I beg you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me” Joshua 7:19. Because his sin directly affected the people, or church, he was commanded to acknowledge this publicly. But the confession was to God, not man—because only God can forgive sin. “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” Isaiah 43:25.
But if we hurt, offend, or abuse another human, whether Christian or pagan, we should acknowledge it and ask them to forgive us. “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” Matthew 5:23, 24.
Public sin should be acknowledged publicly; offences against individuals should be addressed only with those involved; private sin should be confessed to God privately. Such confession should not be taken lightly. It needs to come from a humble heart. True confession explains what was done. There are no excuses. Paul’s example of such specific honesty can be seen in Acts 26:10, 11.
When we genuinely confess our sins to God (and to each other), we will experience God’s love and peace. We will be cleansed from unrighteousness.
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
-doug batchelor
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