Confess Your Sins And Be Healed

By Norma Miller

September 1, 2011

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Why is it true that during times of struggle, we often look at those around us and believe they wouldn't understand what we are dealing with or would never struggle with something similar? I believe that way of thinking is very likely to be one of Satan's most effective tools in bringing condemnation and discouragement to God's children. It also creates a determination in those who are struggling to not let anyone too close, and to make sure no one finds out they have a problem.

Do you realize people are all made the same?

The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Did you hear that? You are not tempted with anything that is not COMMON to other humans. Don't let the enemy trick you into believing you are the only Christian woman (or man) who is ever tempted to sin in a certain area.

Nothing comes as a surprise to God, and nothing escapes His watchful eye. He doesn't watch people in order to make sure He sees everything wrong they do but because He cares so much for us.

Remember the scripture that says God does not miss even one falling sparrow? The passage goes on to say that He would care more for us than a bird, and He even counts the number of hairs on our heads!

Think about it, you can't even go bald without Him knowing about it! That is a small picture of how much He cares. He is not surprised when we struggle. Sure, it hurts Him very much to see us falling into sin because He gave up His Son to die in our place so we don't have to live in sin anymore, but nothing we do will make Him love us any less or any more.

Now, going back to the verse we started out with, confessing our sins to each other does not mean we need to confess it to everyone, in front of the church on bended knee, or even to the ministers (although there may be a time for that). The verse simply means that first we need to be honest with ourselves and Him, then, we need to admit that we have a problem, and finally, we need to find someone we trust (make sure they are trustworthy) to share with them what we have been battling with.

Be frank. The reason God tells us to do this is "That you may be healed".

The way we find healing is to be honest and admit there is a problem. If we keep denying that we are sick, will we find healing? Not likely, because if we allow ourselves to believe we are not sick, why would we go to the doctor?

The process of sharing a sin with someone is humbling to be sure. But that action in and of itself makes it less likely that we will struggle as much.

You see, sisters (brothers too), it is in honesty and the humbling of self that we as humans can become closer to conquering our sin.

Also, we have someone we trust who can come to us and kindly ask, "How are you doing these days? Are you finding it easier to keep your temper in check? Have you been able to take your wrong thoughts and make them obedient to Christ?".

Seriously now, you really think none of the rest of us know what it's like to battle these things? This thought is the enemy's lie. He is out to war against our souls, but don't listen to him. Your friend will be able to lift you up in prayer, and "the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much!"

 

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