Asking forgiveness for sins you can't remember or don't know are sins?

Question

OK, as a fairly new Christian I have trouble understanding two things. I know when you commit a sin you are supposed to ask God for forgiveness and be specific. But what if you can't remember them all exactly?? I don't have a problem with this really but for example, let's say I said some 'bad' words today... I go to ask forgiveness, but I forget what words I said exactly. Is it OK to just say something like "please forgive me for using any bad words?" Or do I need to name every one out? Is it better to ask forgiveness right after you commit the sin?

Also what if you commit some kind of sin, and you don't know it's a sin and is wrong? How does he handle that? Does that hurt the relationship??

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Sin is an outdated concept that is part of the Christian religious superstition. Morality really has nothing to do with religion, though they have tried to claim authorship of it. Their threats of Heaven and Hell are empty. God is a myth, so he gives no forgiveness. It is much more important for you to forgive yourself for being human.

Morality really is just a set of values people have derived to help them live near each other in relative peace. Those societies that have survived have moralities that are generally more successful at allowing people to live amongst each other.

No list of rules really suffices for all situations anyway, and the Christian lists are poor both in what they claim as sins and what they omit. Notably, they claim that even thinking about certain things is a sin. Humans can't really control very well what comes into their minds, so this only serves as a way to make people feel guilty and be more inclined to fill the pews and give money.

Instead, when you are in a situation, use your brain. Each situation deserves proper consideration instead of a rote rule.

Answer 2

You do not need to keep a "list" of sins. IF you don't know it is a sin, it most likely is not considered a sin in God's eyes. Once you do know however, you should try not repeat that sin. You can ask for God's forgiveness and guidance not to repeat the same sins. Getting angry is one thing that many people need to constantly work at. Using bad words is another habit that for some is hard to break. Repentance for your sins does not mean worrying about remembering each and everyone of them.

Answer 3

1 John 1:9 reveals the reason for confessing sin. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive them and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

We confess sin so that we can be cleansed of them - meaning we can stop doing them. If confessing "I used bad language, help me stop" is enough to help you break a thoughless speech pattern, then you have done what was needed. If the sin keeps returning, then you may need to get more serious about your "confession". Is it really a issue with the language, or with an anger inside you that keeps making you saying the things?

If you have honestly forgotten a sin, and it is not one that keeps coming back, that it is not as issue. God is not sitting up in heaven keeping an exact count of everything, and if you miss one - you fry. Rather he is looking at the heart, and the intend of the person. If you are working towards "be cleansed", then the old actions are forgiven.

The confession is just to help you understand where you have weaknesses, and what you have to work on to reach the "cleansed" point.

Hope that helps....

Answer 4

Have you noticed a sincere desire in your heart to do every thing right? To do things God's way? Do you know why that desire to do good is in you? It is there because as a child of God you want to please your Heavenly Father. However, you find it extremenly hard to fulfill your desire simply because we, in our natural state, do not know WHAT TO DO to please God! That's why we commit sin, even we don't know that it is already sin. Therefore, we must permit the HOLY SPIRIT to teach us the way to please Him.

It's ok to ask forgiveness, even you forget what words you said, because our God is faithful and just, He is willing to forgive your sins, if you confess to HIM as what the Bible clearly says in 1 John 1:9

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9 KJV

We can confess our sins thru PRAYER.

The importance of prayer in a Christian's life cannot be overestimated. It is the difference in your life being a form or a force. The most effective people for Christ are, and always have been, those who make PRAYER a vital part in their daily routine. In prayer we can voice out everything, in prayer we can confess our sins. Because it is impossible for God to lie, (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), every child of God should be encouraged to pray, knowing that the Heavenly Father is interested in the sincere desires of our hearts(Psalm. 37:4).

Answer 5

There are sins of omission and co mission. We ask for forgiveness and He forgives. He will teach us when we do things that hurt others with growth. Christianity is a growing experience not a finger pop and we are mature.
He teaches us accordingly to what we are going to do for Him. The Bible says much is required of one teaching Sunday School and we know about the pastors and Bishops. We all are in development and don't allow anyone to tell you otherwise.

Answer 6

Don't worry too much, God has chosen you to be His child (note not due to any personal merits, just out of impartial love.) His sacrifice covers all of your sins. I believe in the eternal security of the chosen, God will tolerate all your mistakes. Once again, note this does not mean you are free to sin all you want, you must respect the Lord. Don't try too hard to "follow the rules" on your own though (that will stress you out unnecessarily,) ask God for help, let Him work through you and write His laws on your heart, in your conscience so you follow them naturally through the guidance of the Spirit. Like Jesus said "With man alone it is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Love, Peace, and God Bless

Answer 7

First you do an examination of conscience in which you review your life and try to remember what sins you have committed. A good examination f conscience can be found at http://frpat.com/examen.htm

After you have examined your conscience, show contrition for your sins. Contrition is being sorry for the sins you have commmitted because they have harmed the relationship between you and God and you and others. Following is a good Act of Contrition:

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven
and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they
offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving
of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.

If you are a Catholic, go confess your sins to a priest. This is an act of humility before God and your fellow man. Confess all of the sins you can remember. Do not worry if you cannot remember everything, but you must be honest in confessing all that you can remember. If you try to hide sins from God, you will not be forgiven.

Listen to the advice the priest has for amending your life. Perform the pennance that the priest assigns you. Pennance is an outways sign of internal repentance. Sin is an act or attitude that draws you away from God. Pennance is an act or attitude that leads you back to God.

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Answer 8

all men should repent. You can just commit sins and ask God to forgive you. We have to seek Him all the time for all things. Not to do our own thing then ask Him for forgiveness.
Forgiveness and repent ens are two different Things.

In the church they teach you to ask for forgiveness but they do not tell you, you must repent and be converted.

even Job in the bible had to repent. Not all the Christians will make it to heaven. The ones who worship God in spirit and truth will.

Answer 9

You need to let go of this idea of sin. We all make good and bad choices throughout our lives. The choices make us what we are. You are an eternal spirit having an experience in a physical body. You are a piece of God and you are safe and loved on your journey. Let go of fear and shame and anxiety. Take responsiblity for your life and actions. Hurt none and live gently. See yourself as you really are and enjoy your life!

Answer 10

You have to be specific and genuinely sorry .You also have to remember that you cannot have sin without guilt.And to commit a sin you would have to break one of the Ten Commandments.Thus if you used bad language you would be breaking the first commandment.