Episode 194: The Benefit of Confession

Summary

In this episode of 'Becoming Something,' hosts JP and Coley Taylor delve into the importance of confession in the Christian journey. They discuss the misconception that confession is exclusive to Catholics and emphasize its role as a spiritual discipline for all believers. The conversation explores the benefits of confessing sins to God and others, the power of specificity in confession, and the freedom that comes from transparency. The hosts share personal experiences, biblical references, and practical advice on integrating confession into one's spiritual life for growth and sanctification.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The podcast 'Becoming Something' aims to provide honest and real conversations for young adults in their 20s and 30s, focusing on life preparation and spiritual growth.
• 🛡 The hosts, JP and Coley Taylor, discuss the importance of confession in the Christian faith, emphasizing it as a spiritual discipline beyond just a Catholic practice.
• 🤔 JP admits his lack of knowledge about non-Catholic confession practices, highlighting the need for broader understanding and education on the topic.
• 📚 The conversation references biblical scriptures, such as James 5:16 and 1 John 1:7-9, to support the practice of confession and its role in Christian sanctification.
• 💬 Confession is portrayed as a specific, detailed act rather than a vague admission of wrongdoing, which is essential for true repentance and humility.
• 🤝 The hosts stress the importance of community and accountability in the confession process, encouraging believers to be open with their struggles within their faith groups.
• 🚫 The discussion warns against the misuse of confession, such as using it to feel better without genuine repentance or as a means to manipulate or judge others.
• 🕊️ Confession is presented as a path to freedom, humility, and joy, countering the fear of embarrassment and the weight of guilt associated with sin.
• 🧘 The practice of confession is linked to personal transformation, with the hosts sharing their own experiences of how it has positively impacted their lives.
• 👥 The podcast encourages believers to find a supportive community for confession and accountability, cautioning against the fear of betrayal within such groups.
• 📈 The hosts suggest that embracing confession can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper understanding of one's need for a savior, aligning with the teachings of Jesus.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the 'Becoming Something' podcast?

The main theme of the 'Becoming Something' podcast is to have honest and real conversations for young adults in their 20s and 30s, with the aim of preparing them for life's challenges and helping them become all that God desires them to be.

Who are the hosts of the podcast in the provided transcript?

The hosts of the podcast in the provided transcript are JP and Coley Taylor.

Why does the host feel confession is important in the Christian faith?

The host feels confession is important in the Christian faith because it is a spiritual discipline and practice that helps in sanctification, promotes humility, and allows for healing and accountability within a community of believers.

What are the three questions the host's life group asks themselves?

The three questions the host's life group asks themselves are: how did they feed their soul (spiritual growth), how did they feed others (discipleship and evangelism), and how did they feed their flesh (areas of confession).

What does the host suggest is the proper way to confess sin?

The host suggests that proper confession should be specific, detailing exactly what the sin was, rather than using vague terms, and should ideally be done in a community where one can receive support, accountability, and prayer.

Why does the host believe that specificity in confession is important?

The host believes that specificity in confession is important because it brings the sin into the light, allows for true repentance, and helps in overcoming the sin by understanding its root and nature.

What does the host mean by 'walking in the light'?

By 'walking in the light,' the host means living transparently and openly, not hiding one's sins or struggles, and being willing to confess and deal with them in a community of believers.

What does the host suggest is a common misconception about confession among non-Catholics?

The host suggests that a common misconception among non-Catholics is that confession of sins is only a Catholic practice, whereas in reality, it is a spiritual discipline that all Christians can benefit from.

How does the host describe the feeling of true freedom in relation to confession?

The host describes the feeling of true freedom as not being bound by the fear of others' opinions, not being defined by one's sins, and having the courage to confess and seek restoration without the burden of shame.

What biblical references does the host mention in support of confession?

The host mentions James 5:16 and 1 John 1:7-9 as biblical references that support the practice of confession among Christians.

How does the host address the fear of being betrayed by the community after confession?

The host acknowledges the fear of betrayal but emphasizes trust in God's sovereignty, stating that even if confession is used against someone, they can find solace in their faith and the belief that God is in control.

Outlines

00:00

🎙️ Podcast Introduction and Confession's Role in Spiritual Discipline

The podcast 'Becoming Something' starts with an introduction emphasizing the importance of honest and real conversations for young adults. The hosts, JP and Coley Taylor, set the stage for the episode's theme of confession as a spiritual discipline. They discuss the misconception that confession is exclusive to Catholics and the importance of acknowledging and confessing sins to God as a part of Christian growth. The conversation also touches on the hosts' personal experiences and the idea that confession prepares individuals for life's challenges.

05:02

📜 Biblical Basis for Confession and its Significance in Christian Life

The second paragraph delves into the scriptural basis for confession, referencing James 5:16 and 1 John 1:7-9. The hosts discuss the importance of confessing sins to one another for healing and the role of confession in sanctification. They also explore the concept of confessing specific sins rather than general categories, emphasizing the need for humility and honesty in recognizing and addressing personal failings.

10:05

🚫 The Freedom of Confession and Overcoming Shame

In this section, the conversation shifts to the freedom that comes from confession and the liberation from the weight of sin and shame. The hosts share their personal experiences with confession and how it has led to a deeper sense of humility and authenticity. They also discuss the importance of being specific in confessions to avoid superficial or partial admissions, which can hinder true spiritual growth and freedom.

15:05

🤝 The Community Aspect of Confession and Accountability

The fourth paragraph highlights the importance of community in the process of confession. The hosts emphasize the need for believers to be in community, where they can confess sins to one another and hold each other accountable. They discuss the practice of confessing specific sins to a trusted group and the benefits of transparency, including receiving prayers and support from fellow believers.

20:07

🗣️ Responding to Confessions with Grace and Understanding

This paragraph discusses how to respond when someone confesses a sin. The hosts share personal stories of confession and the importance of responding with love, forgiveness, and understanding. They stress the need to avoid self-righteousness and to recognize that everyone is capable of the same sins. The conversation also touches on the potential risks of confession and the trust required in a community to ensure that confessions are not used against individuals.

25:08

🛐 The Transformative Power of Confession in Spiritual Growth

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion on confession by emphasizing its transformative power in spiritual growth. The hosts share how confession has personally changed their lives, leading to greater freedom and joy. They encourage listeners to practice confession, even if it feels awkward at first, and to trust in the sanctifying work of God through this practice. The podcast concludes with an invitation to engage with the 'Becoming Something' community and resources.

Keywords

💡Confession

Confession, in the context of the video, refers to the act of admitting one's sins or faults, particularly within a religious or spiritual community. It is central to the theme of personal growth and sanctification. The video emphasizes the importance of confession as a means of achieving humility, freedom, and healing, as illustrated by the discussion on the spiritual discipline of confessing sins to God and others.

💡Sanctification

Sanctification is the process of becoming more holy or dedicated to God. In the video, it is depicted as a goal of the Christian life, where confession plays a crucial role in identifying and overcoming sinful behaviors. The speakers discuss how confession helps in the sanctification process by bringing one's sins to light and seeking God's forgiveness and transformation.

💡Humility

Humility is the quality of being humble; not骄傲 or arrogant. The video script uses humility as a key outcome of confession, suggesting that acknowledging one's sins can lead to a more humble and sincere approach to life and faith. The concept is exemplified through the idea that confession can produce humility, which in turn fosters a deeper spiritual connection.

💡Freedom

Freedom, in this video, is presented as a state of being liberated from the weight of unconfessed sins and the fear of judgment from others. It is closely tied to the concept of confession, where the act of openly admitting one's faults can lead to a sense of liberation and authenticity in one's relationship with God and others.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people who share common values or interests, often providing support and accountability. In the script, the concept of community is highlighted as an essential aspect of confession and spiritual growth, where believers are encouraged to confess to one another and pray for healing and support.

💡Sin

Sin is defined as an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. The video discusses the importance of recognizing and confessing sin as part of the Christian journey. It is used in various contexts, such as the need for confession of sin to God, the struggle with specific sins like lust, and the transformative power of confessing and overcoming sin.

💡Accountability

Accountability is the expectation to report on one's actions or decisions, often to someone else. In the video, it is portrayed as a vital component of confession and spiritual growth, where individuals are held accountable by their community for their actions and are encouraged to be transparent about their struggles.

💡Pride

Pride is a feeling or opinion of one's own importance or value. The script discusses pride as a barrier to confession and spiritual growth, suggesting that overcoming pride is necessary to achieve humility and true freedom in Christ. It is contrasted with humility, which is seen as a positive outcome of confession.

💡Spiritual Discipline

Spiritual discipline refers to practices that Christians engage in to cultivate their relationship with God and grow in their faith. In the video, confession is highlighted as a spiritual discipline that is essential for personal sanctification and community building among believers.

💡Transformation

Transformation is the process of changing in form, appearance, or character. The video suggests that confession is a transformative act that can lead to personal change and spiritual growth. It is used to illustrate the idea that confessing sins can result in a renewed mind and heart, moving individuals closer to the likeness of Christ.

💡Penance

Penance, in a religious context, refers to an act of repentance or atonement for one's sins. The video mentions penance in the context of the Catholic sacrament of reconciliation, where after confessing sins to a priest, individuals are prescribed a penance to perform as part of their reconciliation with God.

Highlights

The podcast 'Becoming Something' aims to keep conversations honest and real for young adults in their 20s and 30s, preparing them for life's challenges.

JP and Coley Taylor discuss the importance of confession as a spiritual discipline and practice in Christian life.

Coley shares his background from Seminary and his degree in Masters of Arts and Christian Ministry.

The conversation explores the misconception that confession is only for Catholics and its actual role in the broader Christian faith.

Scripture references are provided to support the practice of confession, such as James 5:16 and 1 John 1:7-9.

Confession is presented as a tool for sanctification and a means to experience humility and freedom from sin.

The hosts discuss the importance of being specific in confession to truly bring sin into the light.

The conversation addresses the fear of being judged or misunderstood when confessing sins to others.

JP shares his personal experience with confessing gossip and the power of forgiveness and acceptance from his community.

The discussion emphasizes the role of community and accountability in the process of confession and sanctification.

The hosts explain how confession should be approached with discernment and without fear of causing others to stumble.

The benefits of confessing sins to God and receiving spiritual healing through the prayers of the community are highlighted.

Nate's personal transformation through the practice of confession is shared, illustrating its impact on freedom and joy in life.

The conversation concludes with encouragement to practice confession, even if it feels awkward, as it can lead to profound spiritual growth.

The hosts reflect on the importance of humility and the dangers of self-righteousness in the context of confession.

The podcast ends with a reminder of the podcast's mission to help listeners become all that God desires them to be.

Transcripts

[Music]

thank you

thanks for tuning in to becoming

something where we promise to keep the

conversation honest and real for young

adults in their 20s and 30s

every moment we live is training for a

future moment and that's why we do this

podcast because we want you to be

prepared for everything that life is

going to throw at you Our Hope with this

podcast is that it would help you become

all that God desires you to be so with

that in mind let's Jump Right In to this

week's episode of becoming something

[Music]

[Music]

what's up Podcast world it's your boy JP

in the podcast studio with the one and

only greatest

staff member of Harris Creek

Coley Taylor

wow I actually agree with that he's here

but he's not on a microphone

unbelievable what's he doing is he does

he just do this because he likes to

listen to us back there honestly working

magic pulling levers you can't see him

he's on the other side of the camera if

you're watching us on YouTube speaking

of you should watch us on YouTube

because uh I'm hot Spock on Spotify no

like man most of our listeners listen on

Spotify

hey I feel like I need to confess what I

just said

is that how that works sure I feel like

I probably shouldn't have said you

should watch this because I'm hot yeah

you probably shouldn't feel like that

was a miss

I feel like what gave it away

are you trying to transition we don't

even get to Banter I feel like you're I

feel like you're slipping man

get to talk yeah I just happened too

soon I don't know I just had to come

okay I just sitting too early in the

podcast hey shocker yeah wow oh my word

unbelievable So Okay so we've got a lot

of different types of water going on

over here we got I should have taken my

label off

there oh my gosh man Baylor football huh

yeah I'm not very excited about them

funny uh you don't look like a football

player

I played in middle school did you yeah I

absolutely did tackle what was your last

sport that you played basketball uh yeah

because I'm I'm kind of tall but then

other guys started getting taller and

are you any good I mean I haven't played

I I haven't shot a basketball in

whatever ever you have a hoop at your

house correct did you say he poops at

his house well he does I'm sure of that

I mean I just feel like why are you

telling the world that a basketball hoop

at this house oh my gosh it's amazing

wow we're off to a great start today

guys

okay Kathy did um humiliate me earlier

there are some things that we will not

there are conversations

and um people probably think I'm so mean

like like if if this is all of the

conversations we're willing to have this

small so you can now wonder for the rest

of your life gosh what is that what did

Kathy do yeah what did she do okay guys

today I should confess that right yes

here we go today we're talking about

confession this is something that only

Catholics do and apparently JP so I like

what's where where do you get this from

literally I really did not know

non-catholics confess their sins until

you came so I know you're kind of saying

that as a joke but I feel like it's a

spiritual discipline and a practice that

we just don't practice that often so you

really I mean you really didn't know

that no I mean I knew if I hurt

someone's feelings or I did something to

them I like go and say sorry but I did

not think that I should like confess my

sins to anyone other than God hmm do you

think you should confess your sins to

God yeah did you practice that not

regular not like I do now

and you went to Seminary yeah and what

what is your degree in uh

uh masters of arts and Christian

Ministry with the concentration

underneath

drop the mic

amazing what was your degree in uh

masters of divinity I have no idea what

the concentration was because I didn't

really concentrate because yours no yeah

I did everything but the languages but

all that to say is it is ridiculous that

I went to Seminary and share with us

some of those languages man yeah uh

Hebrew and Greek it's more of a written

language yes like Hebrew like just give

us give us a couple like tell it say a

couple sentences in Hebrew shalom

what does it mean peace peace

uh awesome so confession like what are

the questions then around confession

like well it's like why should we do it

I feel like you don't need to confess

something unless it's like

really hurt someone or it's really bad

and you need help like

yeah and so like even that question you

know do you confess sins to God because

there's there's entire ideology out

there it's like hey if Jesus died for

all of our sins on the cross they've

been paid for then then we don't need to

confess our sins to God to be forgiven

because we've already been forgiven for

them and then there is in the Catholic

faith I grew up Roman Catholic there is

the the sacrament of reconciliation

which is where you go and and to uh

remove Sin from your soul you have to

confess it to the priest in which he

then prescribes to you a Penance to pay

which is usually something like say 10

Hail Mary's or or and to our fathers and

you know something along those or say

the rosary something along those lines

and confession is actually a normal part

of the Christian faith we know that

James 5 16 says that you should confess

your sins to who one another yeah or

each other confess your sins to each

other and pray for each other so that

you may be healed for the prayers of a

righteous person are powerful and

effective that's James 5 16. first John

1 says that uh you know who we are to

confess our sins

um let me look it up I got a couple of

scriptures running in my head

um so it's first John 1 7 through 9

which is going to take me just a minute

yeah

first John 1 9 but I don't know the

seven part give it to him and greet Nate

um

Oikos

huh because it's a type of yogurt yogurt

but if we walk in the light as he is in

the light we have fellowship with one

another and the blood of Jesus uh his

son purifies us from all sin if we claim

to be without sin we deceive ourselves

and the truth is not in us if we confess

our sins he is faithful and just and

will forgive us our sins and purify us

from all unrighteousness if we claim

that we have not sinned we make

ourselves out to be a liar and his word

is not in us and so there's some really

like harsh like realities but the

overarching principle is that confession

is normative to the Christian Life and a

tool that God uses to sanctify us but I

think there's even misunderstanding for

those of you that are in community or

small group that do practice confession

in our small group in my life group my

community when I meet with the guys we

ask ourselves three questions

which we've said before on here but how

do you how did you feed your soul

meaning what did you do to grow as a

follower of Jesus what are you listening

to what are you reading how did you feed

others

that's discipleship and evangelism like

who who have you talked to this week

where you have the things of God on your

mind and then how did you feed your

flesh and that's the confession part

like hey here's what I did this week I

think a lot of times when we confess

it's like I talk about my single friends

they get really clumsy when they're when

they're confessing sexual sin because

they say things like way I tripped this

weekend I stumbled this weekend I fell

in the area of lust this weekend so

Tripp stumbled fell you got really

clumsy why is that not confession like

why because because it's not specific

and so I think confession if we're

really bringing something into the light

which it should be specific tell me what

that stumble fell tripped up look like

what did you do and so if it's like well

I looked at porn and masturbated I think

the the confession is I went to

www.pornsite.com and I went through the

areas of possible explicit images and I

chose this kind and I looked at it and I

went you know here and I dwelled and and

lingered there and then I I masturbated

and you confess it in that uh

specificity which can feel humiliating

but what what does humiliation produce

in our lives

humility humility and so it's not a

consequence it's not like oh I have to

do that because I sin in Christ we have

the freedom to do that because of who

Jesus he's made us New Creations and and

so we walk in the light as he is in the

light Ephesians 5 talks about this too

be Children of the light so there's

nothing like we're we're like a window

we're a glass hey you can see everything

inside I'm not afraid of you knowing

anything about me and we think in in an

early Interfaith Journey we think oh I

don't want people to know I don't want

people to know I don't want people to

know I don't want to do that it's really

embarrassing you know embarrassment is

rooted in Pride but if but there is

something greater out there that if you

can achieve it where you say I don't

care uh I I'm I what my identities in

Christ my identity is not in my sin

and it does not bother me that you might

think less of me I am not I'm my

identity is not in your opinion of me

and I'm walking in Real and True freedom

and that's a freedom that a lot of

people will never find and I'm zealous

for that man if I'm honest

I feel sad for people when they're like

I'm unwilling to find that level of

Freedom like I just I don't I don't want

to put in the work that is necessary to

get there I don't want to renew my mind

around the truth to get there that's

good I also think like specificity helps

in other areas of sin too like I think

porn is the example that gets thrown out

a lot but I know I have said before when

I thought I was confessing like I'm just

really struggled with pride this week oh

I just I'm just struggling with a little

bit of insecurity and that like covers

My Confession but what really helps is

when I like name how ugly it is because

you're when you're naming how ugly your

sin is and you're saying hey someone

walked by me and I thought oh I'm better

than them because I would never do what

they're doing yeah like a God doesn't

rank us I was putting myself above

another child of his that he loves and

created I mean like when you like

actually get to the root of your sin

it's just as ugly as pornography or

anything else that seems bigger and so

just to encourage people out there who

like maybe pour into masturbation the

big obvious like I got drunk this

weekend type since the the hidden ones

the thought ones like be specific with

those two yeah I would even say with if

your struggle is Lust porn and

masturbation try to move your confession

to the thought level meaning rather than

confessing hey I did go to

www.pornsite.com I'm making that up by

the way don't don't go there and look uh

say

um you know I wanted to as I was driving

or right there live in the moment text

the you know send the group text and say

hey guys would you pray for me right now

I I really feel a battle of lust within

me I want to go look at something I want

to go look at someone I'm not married to

but I feel like that's just like robs

any Joy from your your life where it's

like

you just can't do anything like you're

always thinking about what you did wrong

you're always thinking about your wrong

thoughts it's like there's no Freedom

there that just feels like you're in a

jail cell it might I want to be honest

and say it might feel that way early on

um I think there it is actually a joy

supplement meaning a joy um magnifier a

joy multiplier in your life

um rather than robbing you of Joy

because you get to this place where

you're truly free and I don't I don't

know of a greater place in the world

than to be truly free and then you get

to a place where you're really fighting

sin you know and

and uh that I mean that's that's

um

like to be free from sin and free from

the approval of others and perception

management I mean that is a level like

in the garden they were naked and

unashamed that's a level of lack of

Shame and and and a freedom that most

people will never ever find so there's a

Greater Joy out there that a lot of

people will never find that's actually

found through this idea of confession

yeah and when you confess so when you

confess it should be specific

um you know and I understand that

amongst friends you might think well I

don't want to cause them to stumble and

I think there's wisdom in that you know

don't cause them to stumble and don't

hide behind your fear of causing them to

stumble as an excuse to not be specific

so be as specific as you can which takes

a little bit of discernment I get it

there's no like rules to follow you have

to be Discerning in that and um and and

don't not say something because you're

afraid to because you're afraid that

they're going to think less of you

something else that we'll do is is we'll

do partial confessions like we'll

confess just to feel better hey we just

feel guilty we want to get that guilt

removed and so we want to say something

so we say something just enough make

space for it like we talk about a lot on

staff something called Spotlight just

kind of a

a corporate principle that we use here

that is rooted in in you know Ephesians

5 and biblical ideas where it's like

when we mess up we stop we create space

for it we shine a giant Spotlight on it

we take some time to look at the mistake

and to learn everything we can from it

and so you need to make space for

confession don't if there's a part of

you that's like hey I just want to get

this over with I just want to move past

it as fast as I can you're robbing

yourself of some sanctification that's

there that the spirit of God can do in

your life through that confession by

giving it space So when do you do this

like you just

call up a friend randomly and like like

how do you how do you do this in in your

everyday life yeah well I think I think

you know my hope is that you are in

community that you have you're doing

life in community with other believers

and so you have a small group that

you're meeting with on a weekly basis

and I think you don't want to wait so if

you meet Tuesday morning and you you do

something stupid Wednesday right don't

um don't wait till the following Tuesday

text them and say hey guys I have

something that I want to confess to you

it it is relations to this ask me about

it ask me if I'm lying to you and then

ask me if I'm lying to you about lying

to you I I'm a 42 year old pastor at a

church and I know that I am capable of

all kinds of evil right and so like

they're they're like I'm capable of all

kinds of things and

and so I like when people pry into my

life and not everybody like every now

and then there's somebody on Instagram

that feels like they're called to be my

accountability partner and I don't know

them I'm not talking about that kind of

relationship I'm saying like I have

people in my life like I am submitted to

Elders I am I am uh submitted to guys

I'm in community with they are asking me

hard questions all the time and I'm

openly confessing to them all the time

like that's a normal part of my life

and another benefit of letting people

into those struggles and into your sins

is it says in James 5 16 that they can

pray for you so that you may be healed

like when we share what sins we're

struggling with a people know so they

can be praying for us and I truly

believe like that's where healing is

found and then B they're able to hold us

accountable to it and that's the

beautiful thing if week after week after

week you're confessing oh I didn't make

time to spend time on God's word this

week like eventually your group's gonna

be like hey

Let's help you get there like what can

we do to help move the ball down the

field or whatever so that's good

volleyball Fields but into the goal into

the basket yeah I I think I have found

Freedom too when you tell someone like

the ugliest dirtiest part of yourself

and they look back at you and they're

not running away they're not leaving and

they say hey I love you like that's

powerful that's Freedom that's a true

friend yeah how do you respond because

if you if you I don't know

I don't know what you would confess to

let's say you confess to like man I just

went to the grocery store and I stole

all my food like what what do I do as

your friend how do I respond to a

confession

with well if they stole food

yes

uh he did steal some food from the local

grocery store he did just confess

actually on the air we do have a

recording of him confessing

if it's like hey I struggle with gossip

and I say actually I've told my life

group I'll share this really vulnerable

sometime I think like a year or two ago

I already guess I talked bad about my

like life group about the girls in my

group

I just for some reason was being

prideful and was like they're not as

good of Christians as me or whatever

dumb thing I said and I knew as soon as

I said it that I had to tell them and

like that sucks like to have to go to

someone and say that you talked bad

about them also and I said it sucks I'm

sorry I'm just a bad person anyways I

feel like you tell let me just explain

so I like get in there and it's awkward

it's uncomfortable I feel this like heat

rising up because I don't want to say it

and then I say it and I just own it and

I apologize and I own my sin in it of it

was coming from a prideful place this

isn't a reflection of you I'm so sorry

blah blah blah and some of them were mad

and like hurt but they also forgave me

and like there's something powerful of

like they didn't just wash it away they

didn't say oh okay they like sat in it

with me and it was awkward and

uncomfortable and then they just said

like we love you and we know you really

love us and we know that this is a

mistake that you made not who you are

that's a powerful thing to tell someone

like this is a mistake you made it's not

who you are and because Nate I want you

to know

um when somebody confesses something

really vulnerable and someone makes them

feel dumb for that it's it's super hard

that's really difficult place to be and

so

I just I'm just that happened no I'm

just putting that out there man just

you're pretty specific with like me

oh well I do think people are hesitant

to share because in the past they've

probably told something or someone's

found out about something that they've

done and it's been used against them

totally and I would just say if you're

in a true Christian Community when you

share these things they should not be

held against you and it should be for

your good they shouldn't and and I agree

with that and I want to say one other

thing here and just say and it might be

and that's okay you know and I think

because if you live in the greatest fear

is that that these people are going to

betray me in that way and you live in

that fear uh you kind of live your life

walking around the eggshells and

insulated and I think right now we can

just say you know what I may share

something really vulnerable

and it may be used against me and God is

in charge of that like he is Sovereign

he controls the hearts of Kings he

directs them like watercourses wherever

he pleases he controls the minds of men

and women and uh and and if if that's

what he wants to allow to do then I will

live in that consequence then I'll die

and I'll be in heaven with him forever

and ever and ever

and I may even ask him why I don't know

but um it's going to be okay and so I

just I'm I want to I don't want to say

to people hey they will never do that

because I don't know your community

group but I don't know the maturity

level and I know how the enemy is

tempted to like he's just against unity

and he loves to bring division to people

so it is a vulnerable place to confess

and and it may not always go well and

that doesn't mean that it was the wrong

thing it is the right thing the

scripture calls us to it it really

clearly candidly uh it is a part of

sanctification that God wants to use in

our lives

I I so when you when you confess like

when people confess to my answer I

always just give them a hug yeah you

know I said hey stand up give me a hug I

said man I just want you to know you are

loved I don't think less of you you

didn't do anything that I'm not capable

of doing I I can't wait to see God

restore this situation and I think what

you just did was really Courageous by

bringing it to the light thank you for

walking in that faithfulness and

obedience and and sometimes the

confession is against me like it's like

hey I want you to know I sinned against

you and so I then you know it's like in

that hug it's like and I want you to

know that I forgive you like I I am not

I have no intentions of of holding this

against you or seeking retaliation I

forgive you

I mean that's just it's just such a hard

thing because I've been with people when

they've confessed in and I'd like want

to get angry or self-righteous and and

just be like a like how could you

if that's if that's your response what

what's what's the problem in me if

that's like what is it like to be in

community with that guy yeah

y'all's Community sucks I'm just kidding

I'm I use that word because Kathy made

me right right

oh that's not I'm sorry I shouldn't have

done that were you will you guys please

forgive me I should not have used that

word and I'm sorry yes me I don't even

like that word I don't let my kids use

it okay I'm sorry I said it but like

when whenever you hear someone confess

and you get self-righteous like that's a

sin too like and it is the same in God's

eyes this is what I I say that and if

I'm being candid I don't believe it like

I'll look at

someone sleeping with someone who's not

their spouse and I'm like that is worse

than me thinking a self-righteous

thought and myself righteous thought

alone would have been enough to put

Jesus on the cross and so that's honest

there's different consequences totally

there's still sin yeah but it's

something I have to renew my mind around

which is actually where the practice of

confession has been helpful because if

I'm looking around like oh I don't have

any big obvious sins like so and so does

that builds that self-righteousness that

builds that Pride but when I begin to

confess the thoughts that I have about

other people I'm realizing man those

thoughts alone put Jesus on the cross

like that's how I need to renew my mind

yeah so Jesus when when he was on the

earth like he was very selective on

um the things that he taught and the

things that he taught that were

preserved for thousands of years that we

would read him and read them and this is

the Brilliance of the Bible this is what

it says in Luke 18

um verse 9 it says to some who were

confident of their righteousness and

looked down on everyone else Jesus told

this Parable two men went up to the

temple to pray one a Pharisee and the

other a tax collector Tax Collectors

were hated they were responsible for

funding the murder of Jewish people

Pharisees were the religious Elite the

Pharisees stood by himself and prayed

God I thank you that I am not like other

people robbers evildoers adulterers or

even like this tax collector I fast

twice a week and give a tenth of all I

get but the tax collector stood at a

distance he would not even look up to

heaven but beat his breast and said God

have mercy on me a sinner I tell you

that this man rather than the other went

home Justified before God for all those

who exalt themselves will be humbled and

who and those who humble themselves will

be exalted and I feel like that is not

taught in Christian today in in the

church today I feel like the church can

teach us to be like the Pharisee and not

to say say no you must remain close to

your own depravity this is why like

confession is normative like this is

what is going to be a Sanctified work my

hunch is if you had never heard of that

then then one of your biggest

seasons of spiritual growth has been

since then would be my punch right and

and I I didn't see your life before and

so it's hard to speak into that but uh I

I do know that Jesus is saying hey this

is what I want this not that like I'm

not looking for you to come to me all

Pious like you have your act together

I'm looking for you to come and

understand your need for a savior at the

root of the Christian faith is US

drowning in our sin not able to save

ourselves and God moving toward us with

a savior and I think that we know that

but we still think like the Rich Young

Ruler like we're going to be this person

that can get to God by our good works

and and we can't we're not good enough

to get to God yeah

like I want to just repeat what you just

said that like confession has changed my

life I read my Bible I prayed I went to

church pre-learning how to practice

confession and I still do those same

practices now and the act of confessing

weekly to my friends and then daily to

God like has transformed me I live in

Freedom I have more fun I'm further from

some of the sins that had kept me in

captivity for so long and I just like

want that for all of you so I know it

seems weird like the very first time we

started practicing confession I was like

this is so bizarre and I didn't want to

do it and it's been like the best

decision I've ever made so give it a try

even if it feels awkward stick with it

it will change your life guys Nate's

gonna start to with you and yeah he's

gonna he's gonna give it again what

sense do you confess that's the thing

I'm like I'm just like racking my brain

I'm like I just if there's nothing to

confess what is the kind of thing what

is the type of thing

I love it hey guys I hope that's helpful

if it's helpful share it and um yeah

thanks for reviewing the podcast sharing

the podcast find us on YouTube we love

you guys talk to you next week bye

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thanks for tuning in to becoming

something where we promise to keep the

conversation honest and real for young

adults in their 20s and 30s

every moment we live is training for a

future moment and that's why we do this

podcast because we want you to be

prepared for everything that life is

going to throw at you

Our Hope with this podcast is that it

would help you become all that God

desires you to be

to find out more visit

becomingsomething.com

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