Forgiving Challenge: The 11-Day Life-Changing Journey to FreedomSample

Day 4: What is Confession?

In the movie Stand Up Guys, Al Pacino plays Val, a man who visits a priest.

Val: Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.
Priest: How long since your last confession?
Val: 60 years, give or take a few.

We often think of this scenario when we hear confession. We try to remember when the last confession was to cover the sins in-between. If Val had to confess for 60 years of sinning, he would have been in there for a while!

We all have someone after us who is looking to accuse us. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

This is more than just some sins catching up with you. You are running the risk of being devoured by something terrible. That secret sin that may catch up to us, the hidden addiction that finally snowballs out of control, the nagging memory of a mistake made long ago, or perhaps that this life we are building is meaningless.

Those things are hungry lions. The devil wants us to attach our identity to our sin.

GUILT IS: I did something wrong.

SHAME IS: I am something wrong.

Contrary to popular belief, it is appropriate to feel guilt or sorrow after sinning. Unfortunately, we missed the mark, so we should feel a level of guilt or sadness. But what the devil wants to do is take your guilt and turn it into shame. Instead of elevating your guilt into shame, Jesus removes your guilt by His grace. And it all starts with confession.

1 John 1:8-9: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

John reminds us that every one of us has sinned. It is not through our power, grit, hard work, and perfection, but rather, God's kindness that we ultimately experience His freedom.

What has been your experience with confession? How has feeling shame versus guilt kept you from living free? Perhaps it is limited to a TV show or movie like our example above. Maybe your religious background impacted how you see confession, or perhaps your mom and a bar of soap come to mind. Knowing your preconceived notions about admission will help you navigate your journey with confession moving forward.

When we confess our sins to God, we allow Him to do His work in our lives. Without God's forgiveness, it is impossible to experience freedom.

Challenge: List an area where you are experiencing guilt and where you are experiencing shame right now.