“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, ESV)
Over the next few weeks and months, I hope to reflect on a series of verses from the study guide of a Bible study my church’s men’s ministry is following [A Man and His Traps, Volume 3 of 33 The Series, published by Authentic Manhood/LifeWay Church Resources (2013), pp. 56–59 of the study guide]. The series focuses on the idols that lead men into temptation. The verses provide ammunition for renewal of the mind (Romans 12:1–2) to transform our perspective from a worldly attitude of defeat to Christ-centered victory. The study participants are urged to meditate on these Scriptures, memorize them, and gain a new perspective as a result.
Personally, I find that writing and study are a great way to assist myself in this process: A blog post challenges me to think thoroughly about a passage, and the feedback and other responses that follow (comments, readers clicking “like,” and so on) allow me to come back and think some more throughout the days that follow.
Although inspired by a men’s study, the reflections should help women as well. In Christ there is neither male nor female (Galatians 3:28), and although we may struggle with different temptations, we share access to the same spiritual blessings.
With that preface in mind, let us reflect on James 5:16.
Many Christians are uncomfortable with confession. Some will say that it sounds too “Catholic” and therefore should be avoided as a form of legalism. Others say it is unnecessary: Since we are forgiven, why should we even think about our sins? Isn’t this just heaping condemnation upon ourselves?
Perhaps these arguments are merely excuses. The verse above is clear. It is a command: “confess your sins” is not preceded or followed by “if you wish” or “you might want to try this sometime.” James also commands us to confess your sins to one another. Some people are not afraid to confess their sins to God, but they do not want another person to hear it. Those who claim to be Bible-believing Christians should not avoid a command of Scripture merely because another denomination emphasizes it more, or it is uncomfortable.
The root of this perspective is pride. We like to pretend that we are better than we really are, and we do not want others to think we are imperfect. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his classic Life Together, proposed that when someone is uncomfortable confessing his sins to another person and only confesses privately to God, he is merely confessing to himself and granting himself absolution: “Who can give us the certainty that, in the confession and the forgiveness of our sins, we are not dealing with ourselves but with the living God? God gives us this certainty through our brother. Our brother breaks the circle of self-deception. A man who confesses his sins in the presence of a brother knows that he is no longer alone with himself; he experiences the presence of God in the reality of the other person.”
It is important that we find someone through whom we can experience the presence of God. Twelve Step programs like Alcoholic Anonymous urge their members to take a personal moral inventory and then admit the exact nature of their wrongs to themselves, God, and another human being. That other person should just listen: They should not judge or condemn; they should quietly listen, without interrupting to interject advice or ask questions. Most importantly, they will not tell anybody what you have said: Your admitted failings should be a secret shared by the two of you and God alone. Through that time of listening, the person who is making confession can find healing by unloading their spiritual garbage.
So, if you are struggling, you may want to consider some kind of confession. Take some time first to reflect on your life and note the areas where you have failed: Twelve-Step programs frequently have excellent resources to help you with this. Then, find a trustworthy confidante. If you attend a church that offers formal sacramental confession, you may speak to the pastor; if not, find a trusted mature believer, one with whom you have a close relationship and who you know will never gossip about you.
If you are asked to hear such a confession: Sit back, listen, and do not say anything. Maybe, after the person has completed their confession, you may offer some guidance, if you feel the Holy Spirit has revealed anything to you or you have successfully overcome one of the person’s besetting sins. Most importantly, do not judge or belittle the person.
Finally, pray for one another. When one believer has admitted his sins to another, they should pray for deliverance and for the power to resist temptation. Confession is the first step to repentance, restoration, and deliverance. Your prayers are the greatest tool you have to bring this to fruition.
This post copyright © 2016 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.
Darkened Glass Reflections 
6 responses to “Confession and Deliverance—James 5:16”
Hi ,
(James 5:16) states :’ Confess your sins to each other &pray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous person is powerful & effective.’
ln this article the verse is
nicely propounded.
These explanatory verses
also state the other ways of
getting good health :_
##########
1) Having fear of God.
( Proverbs 3 : 7-8 ) says: ‘Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord & turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh & refresh ment to your bones.’
2) By keeping faith on God.’
‘ Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear; only believe & your daughter
will be well.” ( Luke 8 : 50 )
3) By praying with a broken heart & waiting on The Lord :
(Psalm .147 :3 ) states :’He heals the broken hearted & binds up their wounds.’
Psalmist says, ” O Lord my God, I cried to you for help & you have healed me.” (Psalm 30 : 2)
( Isaiah 40 : 29-31) says,“They who wait for the Lord shall renew theirstrength. ‘
4) By keeping The word of God in heart :
(Proverbs 4 : 20-22) says:‘My son ; turn your ear to my words . Do not let them out of your sight , keep themwithin your heart; for they are life to those who find
them & health to one’s whole body.’
5) With oil anointing of the elders.
(James 5:14 )states: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them & anoint them with
oil in the name of the Lord.’
6) By helping others.
(Isaiah 58 : 6-8) states: ‘Is it not to share your bread with the hun gry & bring the home less poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him & not to hide yourself from your own flesh ?Then shall your light break forth like the dawn & your healing shall spring up speedily.”
7)(Proverbs 16 : 24) states :
‘Gracious words are like a honey comb, sweetness to the soul & health to the body.’
8) Keeping the heart joyful:
(Proverbs 17 : 22) Says : ‘A joyful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.’
And,
9) By serving God :
(Exodus 23:25) states : ‘God said, ” ‘You shall serve the Lord your God & he will bless your bread & your water, & will take sickness away from among you.’
These verses state how we
can serve God :
#############
‘ By loving in deed & truth.
(1 John 3:18,1Corth.13: 4- 8)
‘Ministering saints.’
(Hebrews 6:10)
‘ Ministering the God given
gift, one to another.’
(1 Peter 4:10).’ By doing
good & communicating.’
‘ By serving one another in
love.’ (Galatians 5:13 )
‘ Doing it heartily, as to the
Lord, & not unto men.’
(Collossians 3 :23)
‘ Without murmurings & disputings. ‘(Phili. 2 :14)
‘ By visiting the fatherless & widows in their affliction. ‘
( James 1: 27)
‘ With holiness.’
(Collo. 3:5,1Timo.4:12) i. e.
‘By overcoming evil with
good.’ (Romans 12:1, 21)
‘ Serving in the Gospel.’
(Acts 6 : 4,John12 : 26,
Phili. 2 : 22)
‘ Entertaining strangers. ‘
(Hebrews 13: 2)
‘ Forgiving one another. ‘
(Mark 11: 25)
‘ With the strength of God.’
(1 Peter 4:7-11)
‘ Giving thanks to the Lord.’
(Collo. 3:17, Heb. 13 :16) )
‘ Giving glory to God.’
(1 Corinth. 10 : 31)And,
‘ Not getting tired.’
(Galatians 6: 9 ) And,
( Matt. 25 : 35, 36 )states : For I was an hungred, & ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, & ye gave me drink: I was a stranger & ye took me in.l was naked, & ye clothed me:l was sick, & ye visited me: I was in prison, & ye came unto me.’
But,
(Acts 17:25) states : ‘God is not served by human hands,as thoug h he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life, breath & everything”.
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Thanks for sharing these verses. It’s important to remind ourselves that one way of living out our faith may impact other areas of our lives. Receiving forgiveness, obtaining healing, serving God, etc., are all important parts of our lives in Christ.
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Hi,
As you say,,,## ” You can also reply this mail #
l am here ready to write , Oh, lt is so nice to get the interaction based on Bible. As there are only 3 %of Christians in this country. You people are famous as having your country forwarded. Anyway, l was telling, that the P. M. of this country who is of Hindu religion, has announced that within 10 yrs, this country will be declared as Hindu.
You know, due to this there will be a great earthquake and nearly 38 crores people will die. This is foreboded by a fortune teller.
I think the earthquakes will be due to this and idolatry in country. How Jesus will tolerate?
Hope this interaction will continue. Tell someone to write if you have no time.
With regards,
USHA.
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The USA may still have one of the largest Christian populations, but the faith is declining in the USA. A growing number of Americans do not believe in God, do not follow any religion, or practice a non-Christian religion (Islam, Hinduism, and other religions are growing in America). Our brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries should keep us in prayer.
I would take the prophecy about the earthquake with a grain of salt, especially if it is coming from a fortune teller. Deuteronomy 18:9-13, Leviticus 19:26-31, Acts 16:16-18, and numerous other Bible passages show that God condemns fortune telling. Even if a Christian claims to be a prophet, I “test the spirits”: there are many Christians in America who claim to be prophets, but either their words prove false or contradict God’s revealed Word.
A prime minister can say what he wants to see happen, but God always has the final word. Numerous countries have chosen a national religion that makes it illegal to be Christian, yet God still moves in those lands. China and Iran are two of the countries with the greatest growth in Christianity, even though China strictly restricts religious expression and Iran is a strict Muslim nation. God is in control.
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The notional confessing privately to another person who is sworn to confidentiality is as to confessing to yourself. A true confession does not consider the consequence of confession but insists on making a full confession of guilt. Anything less is a sham! It is the sorrow of the world that leads to destruction.
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