The BLB Blog

The official blog of Blue Letter Bible

On the Confession of Sin

Posted on Posted by


Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
(James 5:16)

“No man is more ready to charge the church than she is to confess her infirmities. She never hideth them, she never justifieth them; she is black, she hath afflictions, she kept not her own vine, she wants knowledge, affection, discretion, love. She never denies it, but confesses all freely from her heart; she hides not her sin, but tells what she is, what she hath done, that so she may give glory to the Lord God of Israel. And indeed, it makes much for the honor of Christ, and commends His grace, that He, such a king, will set His heart and His eye upon such a deformed slut as the world deems her to be. It makes for the comfort of her poor children, and much stayeth them, when they shall hear the church in all ages, and in her Abraham, David, and Paul, saying, ‘I am black,’ I have affliction, corruption, as well as others.

It makes for the silencing of all saucy daughters that will upbraid her; an ingenuous confession, stops their mouths, and puts them all to silence. It much quickens her to the use of the means, and maketh her cry, ‘Shew me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest!’ and to seek her comfort in Christ Jesus. Oh it doth her good to receive the sentence of death, shame, poverty, damnation, in herself, that so she may be found in Christ, arrayed with the rich robes of His righteousness. Hence her plain-hearted openness in her confession.

Let us do the like, and leave it to the harlot and whore of Babylon to say herself is a queen, she is glorious, she cannot err. But let us say with the church, we are black; yea, let us see it, let us speak it with sorrow, with shame, as the saints have done, and be so affected with our estate, that it may truly humble us, and cause us to say, ‘It is the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed.’ And let us so confess it in ourselves, that we pity others, and bear with them, though full of sins and miseries; so confess it, that we stir up others thereby to run, as Paul did, and use the ordinances with all diligence, to pray much, to read much, to hear, to confer, to advise, and be humble and sincere.

A verbal confession of frailties, without humility, mercy, diligence, without the use of the means, is hypocrisy. If we will speak with the church, we must feel what we say, and so well understand ourselves and our estate, that we may gain humility, mercy, and watchfulness by it.”

–Richard Sibbes, Works of Richard Sibbes, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1982).

Comments

    • KJV doesn’t accurately translate the Greek. “τὰς ἁμαρτίας,” the Greek word in the original text, means “sins.”

  2. In my reading above, I see what my soul longs for. If only my base was that of confession and humility; yet, too often, my flesh cries out for its place and recognition. In my family, many are fighting in that “first place” type of argument, always wanting to be right, and I am chief. I hate this flesh of mine and its desires. I so want the pure desire of a broken heart. Yes, Christ is my Messiah, my Sustain-er, and He is my Lord. I love Him, yet my love is so faint. I find myself so encumbered with the daily stresses of raising a large family; my wife is stressed with physical/emotional changes playing with her mind. We are holding onto the only One Who is able, for we are not. He is all, for all. WE can trust Him!! Thanks for the encouragement.

    • Jim, I hear your heart, brother! Just wanted you to know that I just prayed for you and your wife. Keep holding on to Him, and know that even if you should lose your grip, He will not release His strong grip on you!! May you, your wife, your family know the healing power of our Awesome King of Love! Blessings, Shawn

    • I love people who are so honest, because it is an encouragement to me. Thank you, Jim, for being a really honest person, a real man, a real follower of Christ. God bless you and your family today.

    • Jim- thank you. I heard you. You’re encouraging that I’m not alone. Everything you said was right on about me too. And, thank you BLB for this post that is so good for my soul. It points to the ugly truth about ourselves and the pure joy and hope we have in Jesus. Lord thank you for keeping us grounded in Your love.

  3. Sin is like transliteration and transliteration
    is like sin… in that… the initial purity of the word as it came from the breath of the Holy Spirit through the spiritual heart under direction of one’s born again mind found it’s way to the tip of one’s pen to be forever set before all men’s eyes
    and ears everywhere for in many cases the very reproof of man kinds inner most place.

    In today’s congregational worship setting the assembly of individuals… usually involves exposure to the word. Weather it be the class setting and or the presentment by way of
    many styles of sermonizing. This setting is the seed-bed for the sin of transliteration…sadly and as if the believer in this present world system doesn’t already have enough enemies:
    confusion too is added.

    Take an account of the number of times in the afore mentioned settings as to how many times we (including my self here…as I’m trying to confess my willingness to change) the very word
    Church is used? On one occasion I quit counting after a quick bakers dozens of use enamored my ear. Oh what a critic…you may very well be saying. However I challenge you to examine
    this general word use apart from the original God Breathed
    use as set with in the context. The Word of God likely used
    assembly; and in another contextual setting congregation and oh how we will even use ‘Church’ to describe the called out…
    with out ever for one moment thinking about the one who not yet
    is Spirit enabled…but as mentioned just been ‘Churched’ to death. I believe some 100 plus insertions of church into many a translation in lieu of assembly or congregation etc.

    The greatest negative of our collective error is upon the ears of the very one we desire to alert to the need of our Lord in their lives. If indeed God is not the author of confusion…
    let’s not assist our adversary by sowing the tares of error.

    I have made it a point to try loosing the historical buzz words
    hoping that when the moment arrives or in the process of building the road to ones heart by the means necessary for that golden moment when the Spirit will prompt…go ahead and tell’em Ok OK….but as any good solider is only as good as the training: as the Lord’s army it’s time to get back to the basics of God’s intended Holy words and verbiage. Practice losing saved, lost and sadly the transliteration of Church.
    You just might be surprised to realize your friend or family member is finally understanding what you are saying…having left code words else where. likely to experience the joy in one
    coming to know our Lord as He intended and especially before it’s eternally to late.

    for My Lord,

    r

    • Roman t,

      I am simple minded man I agree, but “If indeed God is not the author of confusion…” (as you have stated), why are you statements so confusing? Maybe it’s just me (as well it may be) but I would venture to say that the average person would have a fair amount of difficulty discerning what you are trying to say in your discourse! With love brother, but just confused!

      • So very sorry…how about this.

        What is transliteration?
        If Bible translations take away from or add to the context of God’s word
        would this not be sinful?

        Since I used the word church as an example…

        One might say I’m going to church…wait a second I thought you are the church.
        (as a member in particular) as the individuals who make up a congregation; and
        When not assembled… aren’t we still… in our individual capacity away from the building still God’s people ‘The Church’? You bet we are!

        In edition the word of God and the book of James (as a book of reproof and being directed to individuals in Christ)… when applied to self: the very outcome should be a spiritually stronger individual who when ‘yoked’ up (as the word
        Encourages…unto him be glory in the?)… should in turn make the body of Christ both individually and collectively more dynamic in presence (both assembled/congregated and individually). Resulting in: one’s day to day discipleship (in the so called world system of day to day life) a shinning light.

        Case in point…it’s the third day of the week and while walking into work an individual comes by your airspace with a need. Do you say I’m sorry please wait right here… there will be an assembly tonight and I’ll plead your need (hat, gloves and likely food or shelter) tonight or do you take advantage of the situation to share the love of Christ by meeting this need?

        On the flip side and again going back to the initial post: if a believer opts out of, by simply walking by…would this not be sin? Likely the Holy Spirit’s conviction very well would leave you restless in the matter. Could be followed up with (in the congregational setting and being assembled where you meet) that the event of the morning would (if so moved by God’s Spirit) to share the event of a share your fault moment…I know I have found for myself in my younger days to have said…I just didn’t know how to react.
        I knew there was something to do… but what?

        Years later and only as a hypothetical example…
        I would likely have taken off my gloves…removed my hat and if carrying a lunch handed this over as well and most importantly of all followed with: Jesus loves you and He just laid on my heart to give you this or something to this effect.
        Not…Oh wait here while I go back to the Church for support, instructions etc. etc.

        Transliteration adds to the confusion rather than the edification at times…context of usage means everything in our hand book…so when ya study to show yourself approved:
        Watch out for the collective assumptions….dig deep for the words. The blessing today in our electronic ‘push and click age’ is that the once upon a time hard copy book use in your study and long hours with a magnifying glass and 6 font is so much easier now.
        Always keep a hard copy book library too as there is no guarantee of our electricity.
        Be it Physical or spiritual.
        I challenge you again… take account of the word uses ‘the Christian Buzz words’ heard for the first time curious seeker who comes through the door where ya worship… to the co-worker and or the person that somehow is next to you in line at a register.

        A Holy Spirit moment Has been arranged and we don’t know if it’s…heart soil prep,
        sow a seed, water…pull weeds or even get more involved and have to set a support stick to allow this shallow rooted person a chance to emotionally, physically etc. recover and in doing so will allow the moment for the rest of our witness: Christ crucified…

        Thot…the first Jesus that anyone will see: likely is the Jesus in me. Is your light under the bushel or are we shinning with Godly reaction.

        I sure need prayer support for the ever awareness in my life to accomplish all that I’ve said.

        • OK I get ya. We refer to church as a building we go to in order to congregate together as believers and worship God. Church is also us, as believers that should be allowing Christ to live through is in the everyday scruples of life (in or out of the building we call “church”. You are saying using this terminology to mean both confuses?

          You are saying there is not a grammatical basis for using the word “church” in today’s translations and that it only confuses? In your opinion what would be the proper word to use instead of “church”. In your opinion, what translation best gets at the Greek?

          • well for starters…do you have a concordance, how about some bible dictionaries? Equally important an Interlinear New testament too.

            If I’m not mistaken the mother web site
            Blue Letter has a bunch of study tools
            to basically click on so that you can:
            study to show yourself approved…unto God

            As for translations…you may have to first honor the collective decision by
            your fellow brethren if by chance a desire to use a particular edition
            (his could be a decision within the local body)…

            There are as an example…study bibles which are physically a hand/arm full But
            lay side by side the like of:
            KJV alongside of an Amplified commentary
            along side of say new American Standard.

            Enabling you to quickly follow along in a sermon or class room setting just how
            a translated word from the Greek or other bible languages was used in context. If you take notes and you should…if an area question or uncertainty or motivation for further study is prompted
            your note will enable you in your quiet time to revisit Pray and seek the direction of deeper study. It might be needful to see manners and customs…maps
            or more importantly ask a question.

            Once you get into this discipline the world of discipleship begins to really allow your spiritual eye to see the current events of the day in a more meaningful way.

            Collectively as believers we may well see an abundance of Biblical dynamics unfold right before our eyes…just how God will be using us individually or collectively
            is yet to be seen. Most importantly is our connectivity to and recognition of our Lord’s deity…

            roman t

    • Eph 4:1 ¶ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
      2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
      3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
      4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
      5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
      6 One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.
      7 ¶ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
      8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
      9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
      11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
      12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
      13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
      14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:
      16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
      17 ¶ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
      18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
      19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
      20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
      21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
      22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
      23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
      24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
      25 ¶ Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
      26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
      27 Neither give place to the devil.
      28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that
      29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
      30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
      31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
      32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

      Jhn 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
      Jhn 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
      1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
      2Cr 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
      Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not [in] the oldness of the letter.
      1Jo 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

    • roman t~
      You make some very astute points. Please consider decreasing the anguish that you require of your readers. Enormity of intellect is not demonstrated by creating run-on, laborious, sentences. Be ‘user friendly-~ ‘reader friendly’. Break your sentences down into one, or, two thoughts each. Your thoughts are valuable, but, not valuable enough to endure the torture…….Ken Orr

      • Ken,

        Your sentiments are shared regarding the difficulty of Roman t’s writings. However please be careful not to prejudge his intentions. Perhaps that was the best way that Roman could express himself. Who knows, maybe he has difficulty explaining himself and had every intention of being reader friendly. Maybe English is his second or third language and he did his best to break his sentences down into one or two thoughts each. Look brother, I am not trying to sound “holier than thou” right now, I just don’t want to see another brother torn down and thus discouraged from participating in these discussions. Ephesians 4:29. While what you said was true, it seems (and I speak humbly) that your intention could have been accomplished in a more graceful manner.

    • roman t~
      You make some very astute points. Please consider decreasing the anguish that you require of your readers. Enormity of intellect is not demonstrated by creating run-on, laborious, sentences. Be ‘user friendly-~ ‘reader friendly’. Break your sentences down into one, or, two thoughts each. Your thoughts are valuable, but, not valuable enough to endure the torture…….Ken Orr

      • I’ll take your comment as constructive criticism;and
        so very sorry for wearing you out with the length and style of response.

        Therefore so as to not be a stumbling block I’ll make a concentrated effort to shorten any responses or interactions.

        roman t

  4. Dear BLB, just wanted to thank you for this incredible thought for the day. It really struck home with me. Thanks for sharing it. May you be blessed!

  5. Such true words! How awesome it is to be the bride cleansed by her bridegroom! It is His glory we seek and live for! Without Him we are nothing. Let us rejoice and exalt in Him afresh today!

  7. In reference to the above scripture, I have a thought/question I want to throw out there. It says…”that you may be healed”. I have heard those who say this refers to a physical healing while others say this speaks of a healing in the sense of “forgiveness”. The context in which James writes (previous few verses) leads me to believe that he is speaking of physical healing. If this is the case (as it seems to be) then it seems that God inflicts, or at least allows his children to get sick (physical infirmities) as a result of harboring personal sin.

    Another question is this..who are we confessing to? Other believers or God, or both? Certainly when we sin against another we should go to them and make it right, but I have seen situations in which people expose their sin to an entire congregation. As I have seen the effects of doing this I have often wondered if that was what James had in mind here. Is this what this verse calls for?

    You thoughts are appreciated!

    • Brother,

      I will quote Isaiah 53 and 54:
      Isaiah 53:4
      Surely he took up our infirmities(1)
      and carried our sorrows(2),
      yet we considered him stricken by God,
      smitten by him, and afflicted.

      (1) infirmities: Hebrew “choliy”; meaning calamity, sickness, grief, evil, affliction, DISEASE.

      (2) sorrows: Hebrew mak’ob; meaning PAIN (physical/mental), sorrow

      Jesus, at the cross, effectively bore EVERY SINGLE infirmity (sickness, disease, affliction), and EVERY SINGLE sorrow (physical & mental pains).

      Isaiah 53 details Christ’s death – Isaiah 54, God’s new covenant.

      Isaiah 54:9-10
      9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,
      when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
      So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
      never to rebuke you again.
      10 Though the mountains be shaken
      and the hills be removed,
      yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
      nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
      says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

      Note: God’s sworn oath “never to be angry, never to rebuke”.
      Note: Even if the whole earth passes away (i.e. Jesus’ second coming, new heaven new earth), the covenant is of PEACE and COMPASSION.

      Based on the above, it is unlikely to say the least, that our Abba would use His enemy, physical pain & death, to child-train us (paideuo; the greek word translated as “chastening” or “discipline” used in the New Testament).
      In fact, it is detailed in Hebrews 12:7-11 that he treats us like a father to children;

      No father would purposely make his child sick, or break their legs – and our Father in Heaven is far more compassionate, far kinder.

      Note: hebrews 12:11 (NIV) says that
      “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

      It seems to say discipline is painful; but note, it says “no discipline seems pleasant… but painful”.
      It doesn’t seem pleasant, it seems painful. It is not painful; Jesus bore all our pains. It only seems painful.

      Hope it blesses you brother.

      • Kerry,

        Thank you for your response. I see your heart, however there are a few things that I must reconcile in order to lean toward what you saying. I don’t post this as a point of argument or debate, but rather as a point of discussion, all the while agreeing that sometimes it is OK to “agree to disagree”. Here are my “few things”…

        1. Isaiah 53 & 54 that you mention. I have noticed that in the N.T. the “healing” is spoken of in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense. Compare Mat 8:17 to 1 Peter 2:24. If Matthew used it in a physical sense and Peter in a spiritual, must we see it only in the sense of the physical healing?

        2.Furthermore, if we see it to mean “physical healing”, must we demand that the reception of that healing be now? For a parallel example, upon receiving Christ we are given the guarantee of heaven (it is finished), but do we experience that now or is that a promise that is “finished” that we will experience later (in the next life)? When Jesus said “it is finished” he was no doubt including the defeat of Satan…but isn’t Satan still at work today? While he is defeated (Aorist), has that come to pass yet, are we experiencing that now or will we not see the finished work until later?

        3.God is good. We can agree upon that. He is loving, we can agree upon that as well. I must ask myself though, what is my definition of “good”? What is my definition of “loving”? What is my definition of being a “good shepherd”? Her’s what I’m getting at…I say that a “good”, “loving” earthly father would never intentionally make his child sick or break their legs. Now my tendency is to want to equate my definition of a “good” earthly father to mean the same as my definition of a “good” heavenly father. While the parallels between the two are similar (as the scripture often uses them)…are they exactly the same? Perhaps God in his “love” and “goodness” and “kindness” and “mercy” does break the legs of one of his children or does allow sickness upon their lives (for whatever reason I can’t understand). I think we need to be careful in making those parallels between earthly fathers and our heavenly father (as I have often done myself).

        4. If God is all powerful (as we see that He is) and His children still experience sickness (as we see that they do), then how can we reconcile a statement that says that “we are to no longer be sick because Christ took our sickness”? The reality of observation (throughout history) is that His children get sick and some die. No sin involved, no rebellion, etc. Some He seems to heal, some he does not. Again if God is all powerful and He does not want us to get sick (because Christ bore it on the cross, as you say), then why is the reality that some of His Children still suffer?

        You thoughts are appreciated my brother!

    • Jeremy! Great question, I believe that God dose not all ways inflict but dose from time to time allow afflictions. For some , we get the message from God to forgive or ask for forgiveness but for others who don’t get it , well, they suffer a consequence. Unforgiveness is a sickness and God wants to heal us of it and he reminds us at the cross.

  8. Awesome post today and I can relate to Jim’s wife (above comment)– Agreeing with God and being wrapped in His light and forgiveness brings true heart change. May the pressures, emotional and physical of daily living, raise us up with the “everlasting arms” beneath us.

  9. I admitted sin before brothers this morning. We are sexually accountable to each other and I shamefully failed again. I once again thought and acted on fallen sexual desires and worshiped an idol. I wanted to keep my sin “just between me and God”, but He humbled me and reminded me that holding onto sin in secret would do more damage than the satisfaction I thought it would give. And by His mercy, I was able to confess sin instead. Afterward I remembered how blessed I am that God’s payment for me was for all time and every sin. I am ashamed at how I fall short and will still worship the flesh over Him. But I’m thankful for each time He sanctifies me through the grace of obedience. He is truly pursuing me even when I am as shameful as Hosea’s wife. It’s brings me to tears when I recognize He is the perfection of love. He tells me “I do not condemn you, now go and sin no more.” What man would say such a thing if not only my God. I have asked for forgiveness from brothers who aim to emulate this Savior and they forgave and spoke truth to me. God must truly desire my accountability to men, because it was the only thing that released me. I would even go as far as to say He designed it that way. In the providence of God I stumbled upon this verse and post just moments after. My Lord has a way of making perfect appointments out of my messes to reinforce truth. Thank you BLB for being used by God today.

  10. Let us remember the curse for original sin is disaster, sickness, and finally death. this will not change until the consumation of all things in Christ.

  12. Please can anyone comment on Jeremy’s question of whether we are required to confess our sins against God to our fellow Christian brothers and sisters as it is a question bothering me lately. I have confessed my sin to God and believe in his forgiveness but wonder whether further confession of the sin (though already forgiven)to a Christian friend, would in turn bring about a healing in me in the sense of feeling freedom from it and/or being able to forgive myself. Also I wonder if by not confessing the sin to my christian friend that I am in some way deceiving her, although the sin was not against her in any way. in other words do our christian friends need to know all our ugly secrets that we would prefer to think that the Father has forgiven and forgotten?

    • Sister,
      hope my answer above helps.

      And, hope to have meaningful discussion on any alternate points of view, that I may learn, or that I may be firm on my faith that Jesus is Healer – and He is the Same, yesterday, today and forever.

      Jesus is the only true picture of God we will ever see – He is the very image. And He never punished, never hurt, never caused sickness – He only took it away from people who deserve it – i.e. sinners.

      We deserved it, we still deserve the punishment – but Jesus said “It is finished” at the cross!

      A bit of greek grammar here.

      Hebrews 12:26-27
      26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[e] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

      Have you ever wondered why “once more” indicates a removing? How does “once more” relate to something being removed?

      “Once more” is written in something called the Aorist tense in Greek.

      Aorist tense: an unrepeatable, conclusive & prevailing event, at a certain point in time.

      Aorist tense means that the event is an ending in itself. Meaning, “once more shake” = no more shaking is possible, it is removed.

      Now, what is the relevance?

      Jesus at the cross: “It is finished!”.

      Our pain is finished, our sickness is finished.

      Can we become sick/pain/punishment for our sinful actions again, then claim the cross for the healing again?

      No.

      “It is finished” is in the Aorist tense!

      Meaning, it was conclusive; it cannot be repeated, the effects are immediate and permanent, with no possibility of reverse!

      Then how can we be sick again?

      That’s for another discussion 😉 but remember, we are in a world that belongs to Satan; and he is a liar… he lies to us in our finances, in our relationships, in our minds… in our health.

      It’s not God. It’s Satan telling you “look at you.. you deserve this sickness.” I tell him back, Gal 3:13 – “Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law!” The curse of the law = the consequences of death due to sin. Whether physical, health, financial… if Christ DIED to set me free, I AM FREE from the curse of the law forever!

      God is kind.

      Look to Jesus. Is Jesus going to punish you for your sins?

      If Jesus won’t, God won’t. Jesus is the only place, we see the Heart of God; and Oh how He loves you and me!

    • Hi Diane, I think that sometimes when we tell someone we trust, someone with whom we feel ‘safe’, our fault or sin-the thing that is stumbling us at present and consuming our thoughts- there is something freeing about that confession and something in the telling of our issue that breaks satan’s power from the accusations binding us.

  14. What is the purpose of confession?
    Is it important?
    If we are saved by grace, what need have we to confess?

  15. Awesome stuff guys!!!! Thank you, all of you, for your comments, I needed this today.

    Jeremy,

    This is just a personal thought I’ve always had, but I’ve always felt like sin itself does cause sickness… it’s like poison, like eating the wrong food. Repentance starts the healing process but it’s only by prayer that it is cleansed… and while it might be probably dangerous to confess some things to an entire congregation, someone who has close, trustworthy brothers or sisters willing to be accountability partners is someone I would consider truly blessed.

    Just my thoughts, silly ideas that run around in this mind/spirit of mine. Thanks again guys!!!

  16. How the Spirit of God works when one is priveleged to witness another’s confession.It is holy ground and an honor to intercede, to stand with the sword of the Spirit and fight the foes that assail that person. It is an honor to hold up that person whether in our arms or on their matt and take them to Jesus, the One that heals, the One that soothes and comforts their heart. May our eyes see His glory as we pray for one another. Please pray for my family that we would see our sin and humble ourselves and repent and turn back to our precious Lord and Savior.

  18. Awesome discussion on James 5:16

    My thoughts on this.

    Jhn 3:20 “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

    If we confess our sins one to another it exposes the darkness to the light. I don’t believe we have to confess every sin to one another. A lot of times certain sins, specially sexual sins are associated with shame and hold us captive in shame and in darkness. The sins that we absolutely don’t want to tell anybody about are the ones that hold us captive in shame.But when we confess our sins one to another the darkness is broken, shame is broken, as it comes out into the light, it can’t hide anymore. Thers is repentance, grace, accountability, prayer support and healing. We need the different parts of the body and their strength to help us with our weaknesses.
    Gal 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

  19. Philippians 3:17 Brethren be followers together of me and mark them which walk so as you have us for an example

    1 Timothy 1:13 Who was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man I was shown mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief

    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

    Luke 8:21 And He answered and said unto them MY mother and MY brethren are these which hear the word of GOD and do it

    1 JOHN 3:10 In this the children of GOD are manifest and the children of the devil whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of GOD neither he that loveth not his neighbor

    Psalm 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word for all thy commandments are righteousness

    Psalm 119:144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting give me understanding and I shall live

    Proverbs 8:8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness there is nothing froward or perverse in them

    Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin you became the servants of righteousness

    Romans 6:20 For when you were the servants of sin you were free from righteousness

    Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to GOD you have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life

    Romans 6:16 Know ye not that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey his servants you are to whom you obey whether of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness

    1 Peter 2:16 As free and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness but as the servants of GOD

    Galatians 5:13 For brethren you have been called unto liberty only use not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh but by love serve one another

    2 Corinthians 6:17&18 Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the LORD and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you (18) and I will be a father unto you and you shall be MY sons and daughters saith the LORD ALMIGHTY

    2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of GOD

    Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil pride and arrogance and the evil way and the froward mouth do I hate

    1 Peter 1:15 But as HE which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation

    1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written BE YE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY

    1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me even as I also am of CHRIST

    1 John 4:6 We are of GOD he that knoweth GOD heareth us he that is not of GOD heareth not us hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error

    James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways

    James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the LORD

    2 Peter 2:19&20 While they promise them liberty they themselves are the servants of corruption for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage (20) for if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST they are again entangled therein and overcome the latter end is worse with them than the beginning

    1 Corinthians 11:29&30 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the LORDS body (30) for this cause many are weak and sickley among you and many sleep

    John 5:14 Afterward JESUS findeth him in the temple and said unto him behold thou art made whole sin no more lest a worse thing come unto thee

    Matthew 11:20 Then began HE to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done because they repented not

    Acts 13:10&11 And said O full of all subtilty and all mischief thou child of the devil thou enemy of all righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the LORD (11) and now behold the hand of the LORD is upon thee and thou shalt be blind not seeing the sun for a season and immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand

    Acts 5:9 Then Peter said unto her how is it that you have agreed together to tempt the spirit of the LORD behold the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door and shall carry thee out

    Luke 4:12 And JESUS answering said unto him it is said THOU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE LORD THY GOD

    Romans 2:6 WHO WILL RENDER TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS

    Proverbs 6:16&19 These six things doth the LORD hate yea seven are an abomination unto HIM ….(19) A false witness that speaketh lies and he that soweth discord among the brethren

    Loving the LORD

    • Steve – Based on your lengthy post, it appears that you have much to say and add. I am confused by your post because I sense some reproving and rebuking but I’m not certain if you are correcting the BLB viewers, who posted their thoughts and shared their understanding of the Scriptures with one another, or if you are being critical of Richard Sibbes’ writing. I can’t see where reproving or rebuking is necessary here. One of the great things about BLB is that it offers viewer’s a medium to read and share and learn. I’ve read. I’m sharing. But I can’t learn from what you’ve written without understanding the basis for it.

      Kalvin

  20. While pressing in this a.m.the Lord guided me to this same verse in dealing with my self. I am presently in a season of reconciling me to myself and to God, it is an encouragement to have our Lord confirm amongst witnesses His desire (righteousness) Thank you for your post and encouraging words.

  21. I am white. By the blood.

    I may act stained sometimes, but when I came, I gave all and He washed all. I’m not black – though spiritually stained, defiled maybe I once was.

    Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for my sin, and since He was sufficient for mine I am sure He was for yours as well.

  22. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another that you may be healed
    The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much

    Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart the LORD will not hear me

    Isaiah 26:10 But the ungodly though he have received grace yet learneth he not righteousness but in the place where he is punished he offendeth and feareth not the glory of GOD

    Psalm 15:1 LORD who shall abide in thy tabernacle who shall dwell in thy holy hill

    Psalm 15:2 He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness and speaketh truth in his heart also 15:3 4 & 5

    Hebrews 5:12 For when the time you ought to be teachers you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of GOD and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat

    Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness for he is a babe

    Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil

    Titus 2:11 For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men

    Titus 2:12&13 Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world (13) looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST

    Titus 2:14&15 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquitie and purify unto HIMSELF a peculiar people zealous of good works (15) these things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority let no man despise thee

    Matthew 19:17 And HE said unto him why callest thou ME good there is none good but one that is GOD but if thou wilt enter into life keep the commandments

    Psalm 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right and all his works are done in truth

    Psalm 33:10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught HE maketh the devices of the people of none effect

  23. A great resource to study the Word and original Hebrew and Greek meanings is free online:

    http;//www.e-sword.org

    pray that it will soon be available for mac too. so far only for p.c.

  24. It has been very interesting reading all the above posts. As I re-read the topic, I must make a commit. My understanding about the church is that we all are members in one body and that is the body of Christ. When I think of the physical body, I think of the many members or spirits that dwell within this body. When we sin, we do it in darkness so that we may not be judge or punish for it. We take sin and allow it to be manifest (grow) inside of us though we know right from wrong. That is what I think, “I am black”, means. God says, “The wages of sin is death”. Could this also mean, spiritual death (separation from God) or physical death (sickness that bring death)? Considering both as being nothing good, my belief is that Jesus died upon the cross to save us from it all. He won victory over Hell (spiritual death) and the grave (physical death). Jesus says that He knows the heart of all men and there is none to be found that is righteous, not one. So, when we accept Christ into our life, we are full of sin. No man is perfect as He that walked the face of this earth.

    When we are weak in the flesh, our spirit within us cannot fight a victorious battle over the flesh or in the world. What we are seeking is for our flesh desires and our worldly ways to die, so that Jesus can live in us. If we are to go through the things that Christ went through, being create in God imagine, then we will die-stop sinning and be born again-resurrected in Christ.

    Our prayer life may not be strong, lack of faith, and we may not be 100% sure who God is or what He has done to save you. Satan is hoping that we do not seek help. Two against one has never been a fair game except when we use it against Satan. We confess to God from our heart what we have done. This starts the ball rolling. Our soul is to be fed for strength in this battle, Scriptures from God Words works the best. While we are building our strength-faith, we tell others. This is when our prayers are strengthen even when you do not know yet how to pray. Jesus can hear His people ministering on behalf of a soul needing help. We are all a part of the body in Christ. Satan can’t stop all the prayers from reaching our Heavenly Father. Praise God. Once we have started to seek His Kingdom (His righteousness), we pray, we speak scriptures, and we wait. Living in this world has taught us not to wait on anything. The quicker we get it done, the sooner we can move on to the next thing. God wants us to learn to depend on Him to take care of the matter at hand. Patience also teaches us the quality of response that is to follow. The very best of the best is what the answer to your prayers will be. You get nothing less than that for sure. In time, you will learn how to bring all the spirits of your body to conform to the One True Spirit, The Holy Spirit. Thus, bringing you out of darkness into the the Light of God Will and not your own.

    As you grow in faith, you should expand your prayers in everything that you do, think, or say. God expects us to grow and discover the truth in Him. The Holy Spirit will teach you on how to plant good seeds into your life by readings God’s Word everyday-planting, meditating on His words-watering, and expecting a change for good things to come-harvest.

    Though be are born with a sinful nature, God is aware of shortcomings. If we should stumble and fall-sin again, we can always go to our Father and ask for forgiveness. Its all been taken care of by the Sacrifice of Lamb, Jesus. One more thing, do not continue to sin for our Father in heaven will allow you to be spanked by that sin. It is not what He want for you, but God will not tolerate unrighteousness-sin in His children. Spanking is not something to look forward to when we turn our back on the One who loves us. To continue in sin is the same as we tell our parents what we will and will not do. The punishment will fit the crime. The lesson may not get through our thick skull right away, but when it do, we are sorry and will conform to what will make it right in the sight of the One who loves us most. Smile