“Which sins should be confessed only to God? What sins need to be confessed to others directly or before an assembly?”

October 2023 – Grace & Truth Magazine

QUESTION: Which sins should be confessed only to God? What sins need to be confessed to others directly or before an assembly?

ANSWER: We see from examples in the Scriptures – Joseph and David – that sin is against God. When his master’s wife was seeking to entice Joseph to sin, he asked, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9-10 KJV ). Joseph was kept from this sin.

We know from 2 Samuel 11 that David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband, Uriah the Hittite, killed in battle. After being confronted by Nathan the prophet about these sins, David wrote: “I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” (Ps. 51:3-4).

Through these examples we see that confession should first be made to God. First John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Not only is confession needed, but also an abandonment of the sin. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). Thus in relation to many of our sins, others are not part of our confession. Rather, it is only the personal confession directly to God, as should characterize all our sins.

We see in Matthew 18:15 that if my brother sins against me, I need to go to my brother and try to work out the matter between him and me alone. It is a personal matter between two, so the less it is made known to others, the better. Confession should be limited to those people in the field of effect, unless it involves personal accountability. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another” (Jas. 5:16).

Galatians 6:1 adds to this thought, showing that not all have to be nor should be involved or informed. There we read: “If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

However, the situation in 1 Corinthians 5 is different. There it was a sin which was well known, described in verse 1 as being “reported commonly” (KJV). As such, the sin had to be dealt with in an open way (see vv.4-5). The testimony had to be restored. It had to be publically known that the matter was judged and dealt with, and that there was order in the house of God.

In widely known cases, where many may know about a trespass, those who are spiritual should be the ones to deal with the matter. They should share only correct and basic details, so that it can be known that the matter has been addressed. It is not necessary that all details be made known.

We see in Scripture that sin defiles. When the sin offering was made, the priests who handled the sin offering needed to wash their clothing and afterward they were considered clean (see Lev. 16:23-28). This shows that even those who deal with matters of sin are somehow affected by it. Therefore, as few as are absolutely necessary should deal with such matters, that the defilement may be limited to the smallest number possible.

Answered by Albert Blok