You know that when you do something wrong, you need to be man/woman enough to set the story straight. Admitting that you did wrong is good medicine. You feel better, and the other person has a higher appreciation for you as well.
Sometimes when you ask for someone’s forgiveness, your confession is not 100% true. Yes, you do ask them to forgive you, but you do not share all the details. “An old fellow had a conscience that bothered him. At last he went to a farmer and said, ‘Master, I’m sorry. I stole a rope from you a while back.’ His master forgave him and the countryman went away. But he still did not have peace of mind. For he had not told the farmer that there was a cow on the other end of the rope when he stole it” (Peter Howard). Ha! Ha! It is amazing how just one small detail changes the whole context of the story.
Confession plays an important part of Christian’s and unbeliever’s lives. When you do wrong, it is not enough for you to feel sorry about what you did. Those feelings are good for they show that your conscience is sensitive to the teachings of the Scriptures. But feeling sorry for what you have done is not enough. The Bible says, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10; NKJV). This verse is made in reference to becoming a Christian. In accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, confession is a necessary ingredient.
What is good for the new convert is good for the seasoned saint. When you sin, there is need for confession. Like the old saying goes – confession is good for the soul.
