J Heinrich Arnold-Freedom from sinful thoughts.pdf

FREEDOM FROM SINFUL THOUGHTS - C O N F E S S I O NDespite the unmistakable advice we find in the Letterof James – “Confess your sins to one another” – manyChristians today question the need for confession. Somedismiss it as too “Catholic” an idea; others emphasizethe importance of a private personal relationship withGod and argue that it is sufficient to bring our sins tohim. But that is a poor argument: God already knowsour sins (Heb. 4:13). Unless we move beyond merelyrecognizing our sins and acknowledge them to anotherperson, we will not be relieved of their weight.When our burdens are comprised of specificconscious sins, as is usually the case, these must beconfessed without fail. Here the “absolute truthfulness”Baudouin advises is vital, for without it a truly cleanconscience remains an impossibility. Sometimes,however, we may feel attacked by evil in a more generalway, and be fearful that we might have given in to it orresponded inadequately. If such anxiety persists, thattoo should be confessed. This does not mean digginginto the subconscious for every little thing. Where Godtells us through our conscience that something iswrong, we should admit it so that it can be forgiven. Butthe goal of confession should always be liberation, notincreased self-concern. We want to find Jesus, not ourselves.Faith and a good conscience are completelyinterwoven. If we do not heed the voice of our41