“I didn’t do ANYTHING!” My child screamed at me, guilt written all over her face. Knowing the truth, and having been here before, I let the Holy Spirit do His work and let that child simmer for a few. Inevitably, she came to me, not five minutes later, ready to confess and apologize, not only for the offense, but also for lying about it and then yelling at Mommy. We discussed how her admission at the start would have sped this process along so much more quickly. We discussed how if she had been open about her wrongdoing, she could move forward without the additional consequences for lying and screaming at me. By prompting her to confess, I am trying to save her those additional consequences.  

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In your adult life, have you been here? Denying wrongdoing or making excuses for it? Maybe you were gossiping about that one person: “No, I was just letting her know what’s going on.” Reacting in anger instead of responding with grace: “But they’re just so frustrating! Anyone would lose their minds in this situation.” These are some of the things I have tried to justify in my head when the Holy Spirit prompts that wonderful/awful conviction of wrongdoing.  

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Our Scripture today walks us through this scenario of confessing right away and not breaking that sweet fellowship we have with one another. We are not perfect, and we will sin, but Jesus cleanses us. Denying our sin is just prolonging the inevitable – trying to deceive ourselves when God already knows our hearts and motives. We are not fooling Him. Psalm 139:2 says, “You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.”  

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Today’s Scripture continues by saying that if we confess, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us. Did you catch that? He is faithful! That confession from my daughter is so sweet and restores our relationship, not because I quit loving her in those difficult moments, but because she felt the distance from me in her wrongdoing. She knew I knew what had really happened, and her pride kept her from wanting to admit it right away. (Raise your hand if you have been there – two hands and both feet shoot to the sky.) Her confession realigned her heart to mine. No secrets between us – no shame, no guilt, just humility – a lesson learned and moving forward with love and grace for growing pains.  

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That sweet sacred space of restoring the relationship through confession is a topic on which I could linger, but let me clarify what I am not talking about. If you grew up with a Catholic background, you may hear the word “confession” and immediately think “sign of the cross,” going to a priest to review everything, and ranking sin in order of serious and less serious offenses. While the practice of taking thoughts and actions captive and being held accountable by another person are not wrong or bad things, we also know that pastors and priests, while highly regarding and respected, are just fellow sinners. We know that the way to life is through Jesus (John 14:6), and we know that the Holy Spirit is our Helper, who often prompts us that something needs to be confessed (Rom. 8:26). We also know that God alone forgives our sin and cleanses us, no third party required. Accountability is a beautiful and necessary thing, but confession is about relationship with God. He wants you to come to Him acknowledging your sin, which He already knows, so He can cleanse you from all unrighteousness.  

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I learn so very much from being a parent. Let me tell you, I have yet to see a child get hurt in any way and not seek out the comfort of a parent’s embrace to soothe their ache or cleanse their wounds. Confession is a heart shift of seeing sin as a wound needing to be attended by our Heavenly Father. We come to Him to be cleansed, embraced, and restored to full fellowship with Him and fellow Christians.  

Imagine yourself as a child, coming to the comforting lap of your loving Father. Tell Him your hurt and sins and ask Him to clean you up today. Let Him remind you that restoration of your relationship has already begun through your heart posture in this moment.  

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Lord Jesus, thank you for your love and forgiveness. Thank you that we can come to you as a child seeking the comfort of the unfailing love you offer. Help our hearts not to be full of pride in those moments of not wanting to confess but be open and willing to bear all and have no secrets. We love you and desire to live in a close relationship with you today. Amen.