Help! I know that in order for sin to be forgiven, (I have a doozie) you have to confess, repent, ask for forgiveness and then walk away from that sin. Is there anything Biblical (with citations please) that requires that I confess the sin to anyone other than God? I know that my sin is ultimately against Him and adds struggles to my walk with him. But, it is at least on some level also against another person here on earth. Can anyone tell me if I can be truly forgiven without sharing my sin with this other person, keeping in mind that sharing it will surely create heartache? Also... how about my own feelings of despair over my transgressions? I understand that guilt is there to show us that we have gone against God's wishes for us, but I am acutely aware of that, what do I do now? Thanks!
2007-09-30 14:10:32 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just ask God to forgive you
2007-09-30 14:15:44 · answer #1 · answered by Rev.Michelle 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God forgives. However, you are assuming that God is some sort of machine... ask, forgiven, etc.??? God may or may NOT want you to handle this situation differently.
Start with God. My advice, sacrifice an hour a day in prayer for a bit...and ask God to make it clear to you what you should do. This way, you respect HIM enough to say...I know forgiveness comes from you...what would you have me do? More? Or are we good? God has His ways but He hears all. And ask Him to make it clear, or you are not going to do anything else...really clear. God is not weak as some say. Honor Him and he'll get you the answer.
2007-09-30 21:20:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true that God is the one that will give us forgiveness but my understanding is if we have offended someone on this earth, we must go to them and ask their forgiveness, too, and set things right in order to receive forgiveness yourself. Your conscience alone is telling you you need to make things right, even if the other person doesn't know about your transgression against them.
I know this isn't what you or others may want to hear because none of us want to face up and admit when we have done wrong but it's important that we set things right with others here on earth if we expect Jesus to see how sincere we are about making our sins right.
2007-10-02 12:11:14 · answer #3 · answered by KittyKat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course sin affects other people. That is why God hates it.
As long as not telling the other person does not compound the sin. How long will you mourn? Repent and don't do it again and get on with your life. It is quite common that sinners eventually grow old alone. Believe me it is a terrible thing to suffer.
2007-09-30 21:24:24 · answer #4 · answered by swindled 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God directs,what ever you do is betwen you and God. He said enter into your closet and pray to me in secret. I will reward you openly. If you choose to witness and have a testimony about what God did to deliver you. God leads you to that calling and anyway what matters what others think. We all are so full of sin are bones squeek. If a person judges you remember that they have children and what you say about someone and you have no experience,you will if you talk about them...just keep on living!
2007-09-30 21:20:17 · answer #5 · answered by God is love. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See Biblical Forgiveness
http://www.bcbsr.com/topics/forgive.html
2007-09-30 22:03:57 · answer #6 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the person you committed the sin against does not forgive you, it doesn't matter to God. As long as you repent to God, and God forgives your sins, that is all that matters.
2007-09-30 21:22:50 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah R 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Matthew 6;12
Forgive me AS I FORGIVE my debtors.
God will forgive you as you forgive others. In simple words, if you do not forgive others, God cannot forgive you for the same offense.
Own feelings
1 John 1:9
If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you of your transgressions.
2007-09-30 21:18:42 · answer #8 · answered by n9wff 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well my churches teaches the ABC's to repentance...
A - Acknowledge...you have to KNOW you sinned before you can repent(if you don't know you did something wrong, how can you ask for forgiveness)
B - Believe....that Jesus is the Son of God who came to take all the sin of the world
C - Confess....your sins to God
D - UGH!! can't remember D...
and E - Everyday....strive to stay away from that sin that you committed...
2007-09-30 21:16:33 · answer #9 · answered by Love Yahoo!!! is a prince 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
while i do not have scripture to back me up on hand, unless you are Catholic, you do not need to tell anyone other than God. Technically, you don't even need to tell God, because he knows all. But anyway, if you ask God for forgiveness of all your sins, your cleared forever, although you should try not to sin [i didn't say "don't sin". i know thats impossible for every human on this planet. but all God wants is for us to try.]
2007-09-30 21:19:21 · answer #10 · answered by Hazel! 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋