1. Confession - “admitting oneself guilty of what one is accused of, the result of inward conviction, 1 Jn. 1:9” (Vine)

2. To God, Ps. 32:3-5; 1 Jn. 1:9 To those who know about it, Acts 8:24; Jas. 5:16 Difference between confessing and advertising sin Not simply “I have done wrong…” – All could make that statement!

3. Boy killed grandmother’s pet duck with slingshot…sister saw him, gave the “all knowing grin”…got him to do her job in kitchen…she went fishing with grandpa… after several days, he confessed. Grandma said “I wondered how long you would let your sister make a slave of you.” Prov. 28:13

4. Preceded by Godly sorrow and repentance, 2 Cor. 7:10 The prodigal’s confession, Lk. 15:18 To those who know, Jas. 5:16 Personal offense, personal confession, Mt. 18:15-17

5. Lev. 5:5 – “And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing.” Num. 5:7 – “Then he shall confess the sin which he has done…” Neh. 9:2 – “and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.”

6. “Confess your sins one to another…” Jas. 5:16; not that you “have sinned.” Confessing to a “priest” - who does not know about them is not N.T. teaching! Confessing private sins to those who do not know about them is not N.T. teaching!

7. Those who know of the sin and the confession, assist him to avoid it, 2 Cor. 2:6-9; 1 Cor. 5:1-5 He didn’t say – “if I have sinned,” or “I haven’t lived up to what I should be” – those are not confessions (private sins do not need public confession). Those who know the sin can assist in overcoming in the future.

8. God is always praised when we obey His will. David’s sin was secret - for a while; confession resulted in praise, 2 Sam. 12:12-14; Ps. 51:1,10 Peter denied Christ, but God was glorified in his restoration, Mt. 26:75

9. When sin is confessed – a commitment is made to turn from it, assistance is given from those who know of his repentance, God is glorified and the devil loses! It is easier to find fault in others, change churches or quit – but that does not remove guilt. How long will you be a slave to Satan?