A question about public confession of sin?

Question

What are the benefits of a person making public the sins he/she committed? Are there times when this should not be done, and if so, why?

Answer 1

One way in which it could be helpful is that it could help others. Example:

In my church, one of my friends used to be addicted to pornography. The catch? My friend is a girl. At our graduation celebration for college seniors, she talked about God's grace in her life and admitted her sin. Seeing someone who we all knew to be passionate about Christ showed how God can transform us. It also opened the door for other girls who may have experienced similar difficulties.

Similarly, we had a men's group that talked about struggles with sin. Others were encouraged to grow in their faith and to keep each other accountable. Some started calling each other on a regular basis to do this.

So yes, there can be some great benefits to admitting sin publicly.

Answer 2

Our denomination (Baptist) does not have organized "confession". We believe that Jesus is our high priest in heaven interceding for us and we don't need public confession to another imperfect human--no one but Jesus has the power to forgive sins.

However, I have seen cases where a church brought a member up for church discipline because of a very open scandal/sin that was hurtful to the whole church body. A recent example was when a member of the church was caught in an affair with another married member of the church. Both families were very strong families in the church, with extended family members holding positions of leadership. In this case, the persons involved came before the church and apologized to the church for breaking the church covenant and hurting the church family in that way. I wasn't there to hear what they said, so I don't know how much actual confession there was or if it was just implied since everyone pretty much knew the whole story as it unfolded before our eyes, but in that case I can see the benefit to restore their fellowship with the church and promote healing instead of more hurt.

Answer 3

I think this is not a public confession. This is exclusively only for brethren in the Church of God.

James 5:16 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.

Sometimes we must not tell to the public the sins of others.

Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Answer 4

It's not only beneficial...it's mandatory:

James 5:16 - James clearly teaches us that we must “confess our sins to one another,” not just privately to God. James 5:16 must be read in the context of James 5:14-15, which is referring to the healing power (both physical and spiritual) of the priests of the Church. Hence, when James says “therefore” in verse 16, he must be referring to the men he was writing about in verses 14 and 15 – these men are the ordained priests of the Church, to whom we must confess our sins.

Acts 19:18 - many came to orally confess sins and divulge their sinful practices. Oral confession was the practice of the early Church just as it is today.

Matt. 3:6; Mark 1:5 - again, this shows people confessing their sins before others as an historical practice (here to John the Baptist).

1 Tim. 6:12 - this verse also refers to the historical practice of confessing both faith and sins in the presence of many witnesses.

1 John 1:9 - if we confess are sins, God is faithful to us and forgives us and cleanse us. But we must confess our sins to one another.

Num. 5:7 - this shows the historical practice of publicly confessing sins, and making public restitution.

2 Sam. 12:14 - even though the sin is forgiven, there is punishment due for the forgiven sin. David is forgiven but his child was still taken (the consequence of his sin).

Neh. 9:2-3 - the Israelites stood before the assembly and confessed sins publicly and interceded for each other.

Sir. 4:26 - God tells us not to be ashamed to confess our sins, and not to try to stop the current of a river. Anyone who has experienced the sacrament of reconciliation understands the import of this verse.

Baruch 1:14 - again, this shows that the people made confession in the house of the Lord, before the assembly.

1 John 5:16-17; Luke 12:47-48 - there is a distinction between mortal and venial sins. This has been the teaching of the Catholic Church for 2,000 years, but, today, most Protestants no longer agree that there is such a distinction. Mortal sins lead to death and must be absolved in the sacrament of reconciliation. Venial sins do not have to be confessed to a priest, but the pious Catholic practice is to do so in order to advance in our journey to holiness.

Matt. 5:19 - Jesus teaches that breaking the least of commandments is venial sin (the person is still saved but is least in the kingdom), versus mortal sin (the person is not saved).

Answer 5

Many sins involve another person; either they were in on the sin, or the victim of it. I would never publicly divulge something that could hurt another person, although I have confessed my own failings--intolerance, anger, etc. and been helped by fellow believers in my efforts to overcome those sins.

Answer 6

I suppose it could be cathartic in a way, but other than that, there's no benefit.

The whole "confession of sins" thing that religion pushes is just another way of making sure the converts keep feeling guilty for them. If you can make someone feel guilty, you can more easily get them to fill the pews and empty their pockets.

The whole idea of sin is outdated. The idea that a little list of rules is sufficient as a person's moral basis is naive. No such list covers all situations, and many of the rules listed really are backwards. The Thought Police type rules are especially bad. It is much better to actually think about situations and determine for yourself how you would react to them and others. You are the one who has to live with the results of what you do.

Answer 7

I think its beneficial for accountability purposes. I was struggling with Anger. I told everyone I ran into at church, "Hey I am struggling with Anger, Pray for me! " Well, tehy held me accountable for getting in God's word and Praying for my heart to change. They'd ask me, How's your anger towards so and so." It really focused me to work on it. I dotn want to dissappoint God by sinning. I am a sinner, we all are. I just want to try to fix it. Prayerful meditation and accountability from my Sisters in Christ are how I deal.

Answer 8

If the holy spirit convicts you to do so then do it. IT could be a blessing and a benefit for someone in the congregation to hear it.

Answer 9

There are a lot of Christians who have not completely accepted Christ in there lives. The term Pentecost refers to the continuois death of one's person in this life. Since not one of us is saved of our flesh, during repentance, a lot of that orignal person still exists. Remember, people of the flesh continue to throw old things in the faces of those who believe; because, they were so tempted by the devil in there on lives. It is our responsibility to confess our salvation and his works publicly, i.e. baptism, but be careful of who you share your life with. People can do much evil in there mist of their own dead spirit, because Satan lives in them.

Answer 10

I FEEL THAT MAKING PUBLIC CONFESSION OF SIN IS ONLY NECESSARY IF THE PERSON WHO IS CONFESSING WRONGED THEM.. OTHER THAN THAT I FEEL MY SIN IS BETWEEN ME AND GOD. HE IS THE ONE WITH FORGIVENESS UNCONDITIONALLY..