J Heinrich Arnold-Freedom from sinful thoughts.pdf

FREEDOM FROM SINFUL THOUGHTS - C O N F E S S I O Nconscience, our faith will suffer shipwreck. Andwithout faith, we lose the possibility of finding a pureconscience in the first place. That is why the Apostlesays that the consciences of those who do not believe arenot clean. It is bound to be like this, because withoutfaith the conscience has nothing to hold on to.Beyond this, it is clear that when we confess a sin tosomeone we trust and love, a new bond is createdthrough our admission of guilt. Jesus attaches greatweight to this bond, as indicated by his emphasis oncommunity throughout the gospels: in fact, he promisesthat where two or three are united in his name, there hewill be in the midst of them. To me, this unity meanscommunity – whether in the form of shared work orfood, common prayer, or reading and reflection with afriend or spouse. The important thing is the strength –and safeguard against sin – that comes from fellowship.A solitary heart is one in great danger.In and of itself, confession is no help. People pay goodmoney to tell psychiatrists their sufferings and sins, andthese psychiatrists use all sorts of therapy to help themquiet their distraught consciences. In the end, withoutremorse for the sins we reveal, confession remains amere “dumping” of sin from one person to another andcan have no redeeming effect.With remorse – with the desire to truly undo the42