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James 5:16 says confess faults to one another but what does that mean exactly and how far should we take it?

Transcript

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Hey everybody, thanks for tuning in to Unfiltered with Jesse B. I know there's thousands of podcasts to choose from out there, so believe me when I say from the bottom of my heart, I do appreciate those who choose to listen regularly, and part of that appreciation is to be respectful of your time by bringing content that is beneficial. If you enjoy these many episodes and know of others who would too, go ahead and share it with them, and please subscribe if you haven't already done so. A topic came up in recent conversation and it had to do with faults and sins. James 5.16 says, Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man or a woman availeth much. While I'm not going to give any concrete answers on this, I will give my personal opinions that have to do with this verse. But let's look at faults and sins and what needs to be confessed and what's better just to keep your mouth shut on. So the King James can get a little muddy sometimes with the early English language, but this verse that I read out of the King James is pretty straightforward. Confess your faults. Now the Amplified Classic and the Modern English version or MEV says faults, while the AMP, ESV, NASB, and NLT said sins in place of the word faults. You'll probably find other translations will use either faults or sins, so which is it, and is there even a difference? Well, according to AV 1611, which is the King James Version dictionary, tells us that faults are an erring or missing, a failing or an error or a mistake, blunder, a defect, a blemish, whatever impairs excellence and carries less moral weight than a crime or a sin. An example could be Brother So-and-so has such a gruff attitude, but he is always the first to help anybody. So that gruff attitude could be a fault, but it's not a sin. Sin is defined in the Bible by the transgression of God's law, rebellion against his authority, and missing the mark of his perfect standard. This could be act of disobedience, otherwise known as commission, or failing to do what is right, otherwise known as omission. Both result in separation from God. An example of this could be lying, fornication, adultery. We all know the Ten Commandments, and we also know 1 Corinthians 5, 9 through 11, where Paul is describing immorality. As we can see by the biblical definitions that sin and faults are not always the same thing, however, it is easy to see how faults can lead to sin. But when it comes to confessing, are we to confess sins or are we to confess faults? Let's consider something all the way back to the Garden of Eden in Genesis. What did Adam and Eve do after they committed their sin of eating from the tree that God told them not to? This was a willful act of disobedience, and so therefore it's classified as sin. But their reaction is that they hid and they blamed. Adam blamed both Eve and God. Eve in turn blamed the serpent for deception, and at least she told the truth because the serpent did deceive Eve, but neither Adam or Eve took responsibility for their own actions. There are many lessons that can be learned from this account, but one most of us never really thought about is that humans were not made to carry the burden of sin. We cover up, we hide, we avoid, we blame because the weight of sin is just too much. If you watch true crime TV shows or might even follow major court cases in your area, how long is it before that defendant breaks down and confesses, especially when the pressure's on? It usually doesn't take very long before that smug, smart elic exterior starts to crack. Unless they're just complete psychopaths, most people have a need to come clean. But does the need to come clean require telling everyone about our sins or faults? Let's look at some scenarios. Let's say a spouse has an affair. So what exactly has been broken here? The marital covenant between the man and the woman, and also the covenant with God who actually ordained this covenant. Who needs to know about this? If both are in church, then I would agree it would be beneficial for their pastor to know, and if the pastor is any kind of pastor at all, then he or she should provide godly counsel and guidance. After all, families should be important to any Christian church. But what about others? What about the kids? Let's say that they are old enough to understand, but do they need to know? How about other extended family members on either side? What about their friends, the congregation? This is a case where knowledge could hurt those who aren't directly involved. People naturally form their own opinions and eventually they will succumb to the temptation to gossip. And sadly, I have seen the opinions if that spouse did it once, then they're going to do it again, and I don't mean that in a cautionary way, but sometimes I've even heard that said in a more wishful, sick, and perverted way. I have seen it happen a few times in the past where eventually a couple may have to end up leaving the church because they have either gotten burned by that church, or because too many people knew too much and things were just never the same. The court of public opinion often thinks of itself as the highest jurisdiction when many times those opinions aren't even valid. Well, what about the faults when the Bible says to confess faults to one another? Well, I watched a clip of Billy Graham from one of his sermons which he stated, stop telling everyone your problems. Problems are one of those things that's right up there with opinions, but to keep it friendly, just like opinions, there will never be a shortage of problems. One of the main points Billy Graham brought out is running from person to person, telling them your problems. It does not bring the peace that you may be chasing. In fact, the more people you tell about your problems, the less peace you're going to have because not only will this drain you of your strength, it will add to the problems that others may be carrying on their own. He went on to say that we're not meant to walk through this life alone because we were made for fellowship, love, and encouragement. But the Lord is the really the only one who can truly understand our problems and sorrows. Telling people your problems will often add to unintended consequences of judgment, gossip, pity, or the temptation for others to use your problems against you by forming negative opinions about you which may be hard for you to overcome in the future. And this could also cause a par a person to be enslaved to something called false guilt. Some things that we need to think about when confessing sins are faults to others. Who to and what do you confess? So here is where I might upset some people. If we are talking about confession of sin to redeem the soul, first and foremost this needs to be confessed before God. I realize I will make some of my Catholic friends and relatives uncomfortable, maybe even pissed, but nowhere can I find in the Bible where it tells me that I need to confess to a priest, pastor, reverend, rabbi, any clergy so that they can pray for me to obtain forgiveness from God. Jesus made the way for all of us to boldly approach the God's throne. Nobody else has done, is doing, or will ever do this other than Jesus. Another thing to consider is that it's not required to confess personal secret sins publicly. These should only be confessed to God as 1 John 1 9 tells us. If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just, forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If there was another person involved, then confessing confession, meaning admitting and taking responsibility for choices, words, or actions, is necessary for the help of individual healing and if applicable for the restoration of that relationship. James 5 16 says, Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. Romans twelve eighteen says, if it is possible as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Now granted, there are situations when reconciliation of any kind just isn't possible, nor should it be sought out, but forgiveness does not always mean a relationship can or should be restored. If it's public sin, then public confession may be required. An example of this would be misappropriation of church funds, preaching or teaching false doctrines, etc. In a nutshell, do not burden others when we are told to seek the Lord in all things, especially for forgiveness. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance. Outside of this, choose carefully who and what you confess your faults and sins to. If still in doubt, talk to your pastor or trusted close church Christian friend or counselor to help you navigate through the issues. And remember, Proverbs twelve fifteen says the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but that he who listens to counsel is wise. Love you guys. Take care.