Ken Turner comments on the spiritual freedom of confession

Ken Turner

"Confess your sins one to another" is a Biblical injunction that is not often purposefully followed in the church these days. Somehow it is one of those things in the Bible that seems very threatening, and so most of us would prefer to keep our sins very private and firmly locked up inside us. This despite the promise of healing that accompanies this injunction.

While sitting with a group of young men in Blantyre, Malawi, a few weeks ago, a Q & A session took a sudden turn. The young man who was interpreting for me asked if he could make a statement. He proceeded to make a very heartfelt, tearful confession that his relationship with his "spiritual father" had gone off course. The "spiritual father" was sitting in the group a few meters away. The young leader was very detailed in his confession, indicating that he had spoken improperly about his "father" and had rebelled against him by doing things that he knew would hurt his "father".

The confession took all of fifteen minutes because of repeated pauses while he tried to stem his tears and compose himself so that he could continue. The young man in question is a born leader, acknowledged as such by the rest of the men present. Although young he was looked to for advice, direction and wisdom, and so his confession made a huge impact. I looked around as he continued and noticed other men of all ages with tears in their eyes and the usual hub of noise, that is always present at such gatherings, had ceased.

The confession ended and the young man stood and walked the few meters to where his "spiritual father" sat and the two embraced each other, each with copious tears streaming down their faces. This action increased the reaction of the rest of the group and more tears were visible. I found myself weeping openly.

An honest, humble, courageous, no holds barred confession had a remarkable effect on the spiritual atmosphere of that group. What had, thus far, been an excellent time together, now took on an even greater depth. No one doubted the presence of GOD amongst us. He had been there all along, but now our sense of His presence was tangible.

Almost as if the path had been cleared by the first confession, others started to confess and also speak of how God was challenging their hearts.

One heartfelt, but hilarious confession came from an elderly man. He stood only five feet tall. He started by bending over and touching the floor with both hands, then straightening up he jumped off the floor and flung both hands into the air and cried out "AMEN!!" He then held one hand over his heart and gasped for air for a few moments, then proceeded to do the same thing all over again, this time at the apex of his jump, he shouted out "HALLELUJAH!" He then clutched both hands over his heart and gasped for air for what seemed to be a long time. I was very pleased I had a medical doctor sitting next to me as it seemed his services might soon be needed.

The man recovered and proceeded to make a long confession. In short he confessed that he had withheld his tithe from his "spiritual father". This tithe was to be in the form of a goat. [All the people present were leaders from the rural areas from the South of Malawi, and so tithes were paid in the form of maize or goats.] His wife had warned him that withholding his tithe would have dire negative consequences. However, he persisted and then his tithe, a goat, died! He spent a long time speaking of the wrath of his wife at this point, and I suspected that to him it was worse than any expected wrath from God. He concluded by making a promise in front of all present that he had done wrong in withholding the tithe and would pay it gladly in future.

David, the Psalmist, speaking of confession says, "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped." Then, like the incidents described above, David's attention was arrested. He wrote:- 'Then I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord" - and you forgave the guilt of my sin.'

This is the message of good news to Kings and Paupers and everyone in between. Relief from the effects and consequences of sin is to be found in only one way, that of honest, humble confession to the Lord and each other! The resultant relief, as described above, is immediate and it creates a spiritual climate that is conducive to reconciliation and restitution, where necessary.

As you read this, why not stop and let God speak into your spirit about the need for confession in your life!