Do I need to confess everything I did wrong constantly?
Question:
I have a question that I am struggling to find an answer to. A few days ago, I confessed to my family about my past sins. We were able to pray, and we are now in the process of healing. Lately, I have remembered some other things I have done, like listening to worldly music, but I stopped over a year ago. However, I didn't listen to worldly artists. I didn't care about what I listened to. Do I have to confess this, too? What if more sins keep popping up that I remember, and after I confess that to my parents, what if more come? Would I need to confess everything I did wrong constantly?
By the way, I changed and lived my life for the Lord a lot more now, but I constantly feel like, if I don't confess everything to my family, I am not a Christian. Please help
Answer:
The problem is that you made a rule for yourself that God never said. When you sin, you act against God's laws (I John 3:4); therefore, you must admit to God that you sinned. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). Confessing your sins to your family does not gain your forgiveness because they cannot release you from your sins.
We do talk to people about what we've done wrong to harm them. That is a part of our repentance from sin and our desire to restore our relationship with people we have hurt. But if your sin did not harm them, then there is no purpose in talking about our sin to them.
When turning from sin, we often need advice and encouragement from our brethren. Sometimes, we feel too sinful to approach God alone, so we ask others to pray for us. "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16). However, this does not require a specific person to talk to.
As you grow in knowledge of what God teaches, you'll realize that several things that you thought were fine were actually wrong. When you learn, you simply resolve to change and ask God to forgive you for your past mistakes. Notice that in I John 1:9, when we confess that we know we have done wrong, God forgives us of all unrighteousness. "All" would include things we did not realize we had done wrong.
I don't recall God saying we can only listen to religious music. Here again, you've added a rule that God did not give. There is inappropriate music, such as songs that contain profanity or encourage sinful behavior, which should be avoided because they can influence our behavior.
By adding to God's instructions, you've made your life overly complex. Stay with the only source of authority in our lives and the way gets easier.
Response:
Very well said. Thank you so much. I will continue to pray for healing so I can recover.
