How many times do you confess your sins and yet continue to do the same sin over and over? You read or hear God’s Word and are repulsed by your sin; your friend brings a sin to your attention and are convicted; your spouse asks you to stop speaking that way and you are condemned; the Holy Spirit once again produces within you a heart-wrenching conviction because you continue to do that thing again and again. You confess the sin once again and yet no lasting change occurs toward Christ-likeness in this battle. It is all such a discouraging cycle.

God is not just interested in us feeling bad and confessing sinful actions. He wants our confession to lead to a commitment of Christ-like change, sanctification. True confession creates a commitment to a life reformed through repentance. Our language will be life-giving. Habits will be habituated. Devotion to God and others will be renewed. Relationships will be repaired. The purpose of confession is to lead to repentance, a commitment to Christ-likeness. Confession requires repentance.