Confession.  People don't like to confess things.  It makes us feel like a failure, like an underachiever.... and often, to confess something is to admit guilt....

 

     Let's just break this down for a moment....  If God already knows everything; why does He want confession? (Romans 10:10)  Are we just telling God something that He already knows? (Revelation 19:6)  From a worldly, "common sense" perspective, that seems foolish.  Where's the benefit?

 

     Here it is:  Confession is not for God's benefit, it's for ours.  Sure, He already knows everything, and we were forgiven before we every messed up, but you have to get it out of you, (Like a splinter....but infected)...  All of our sins, (Past, Present and Future) are already forgiven.... no doubt.  But in order for us to have peace, His peace and His rest, when we lay it out there, it gives Him an opportunity to say "It is okay, you are forgiven."....  Then we can just forget it... the same way He does.  It takes away any "ammo" that the enemy can use against us.

 

     When I was a kid, maybe 10 or 11, some friends and I were playing with some matches, lighting some dry grass on fire and then stomping it out, after it got about a foot wide in diameter... (Yeah, I know, Mom's tell us not to play with matches... which is why we do... kinda like keeping the Messianic Law....)  After a while, we got tired of that and walked on down the canal, maybe 100 yards or so, then looked back and saw a huge fire behind us.  All six of us went running back to the fire and began to stomp it out.  Some guys took off their sweatshirts, dipped them into the canal, and began beating out the flames.....  Eventually we put it out, disaster averted, and we all left for home.  No doubt, we all smelled like smoke and were dirty.  When I got home, my Mom apparently picked up on the scent immediately....  At first I didn't say anything, then told her what happened....  My "confession" to her got it off of my chest, and so I just forgot about it.  As far as I was concerned, it was done... and so I just went on with life as usual.  My Mom and Dad took that "burden" and carried it on with them for ... well,...I don't know how long?  Eventually it was forgotten by them as well... I think?  The point is:  When we give something to God, as in a confession, ... we need to really give it to Him.  Too often we want to go back and pick it up again.  Once you give it to the Lord, let it go and don't look back  Doing so reflects a lack of faith.  God's got your back covered ....and your past... and your future.  Trust Him.  He wants you to get it out and let it go.........