Confession is Good for the Soul

I remember when my girls were little, they would cover their faces and declare proudly, “You can’t see me!” to which I would respond with a laugh.  I think sometimes we do this with things in our lives that don’t please God. We often figure because we can’t see God, He doesn’t see or hear us, nor does He care when we fall off the path of godly living He cleared for us.

So, what’s the big deal about minimizing, ignoring, or choosing not to own our missteps or (as the Bible calls it), sin?  After all, it’s human nature to defend ourselves when we’re in trouble or when we do wrong. Do you agree? Perhaps you may, but Psalm 66:18 (NASB) reveals the consequence of harboring unconfessed sin. The psalmist says, “If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” In other words, the Lord doesn’t hear my prayers to Him if I am deceiving Him by withholding confession of my sin. Yikes! I surely don’t want to put any obstacles between God and me. How about you?

King David was so desperate to have a connection with God that he asked the Lord to search his heart to see if there was any wicked way in it. That’s a good place to start.  When we reflect on how the Lord has met and blessed us, may we also take the time to give Him permission to search our souls to bring to our attention anything that needs to be corrected.

Let us Walk in His way:

Dear Lord, Your word states clearly states in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What a gift from the God who “sees all, knows all, and loves all.” Give us the courage to be ‘seen and known’ by You so that our lives are pleasing to You. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel

author of “Walk in His Way” for

Carry the Light Ministries