Has the pain from bad choices, habits, and decisions made life a prison? If so, it’s possible to break free from bondage—confession is the key!
Addictions and unhealthy patterns hold a person back from living a life of freedom that God designed for them to live. But when they see how their actions have hurt others and tell those whom they’ve hurt that they’re sorry, their life will transform for the better. And going through Life Recovery Step Five is the key to a person in recovery experiencing the relief their soul craves.
What is Life Recovery Step Five? Life Recovery Step Five states, “We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
Because sin likes to hide in the darkness and silence, confession brings sin into the light so that it has no more power. James, the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the early church, knew this. In the book of James, he encourages confessing sins to one another—not just confessing shortcomings silently to God. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
But after a lifetime of keeping secrets in the dark, living in a prison of addiction, and being isolated, confession is often the last thing an addict would want to do. So, how should an addict begin to implement confession into their life?
First, an addict must confess any past offenses against God and others. Because unconfessed sin erects barriers in a vertical relationship with God and a horizontal relationship with others, confession and forgiveness break down those walls and allow God’s love and power to flow freely in a relationship.
Second, an addict must confess any ongoing struggles. Although a person is forgiven once and for all by the grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, confessing daily trials and temptations to others can provide the support, accountability, assurance, and perspective to move forward in their healing. When someone is honest with themselves and opens their heart to a trusted friend, pastor, or licensed counselor, it can be a step toward experiencing the freedom of forgiveness.
After someone confesses their sins to God and another person, sin has no more control over them. Christ removes them from the prison of sin that they once lived in. And they are on their way to living a life free from addiction. For help to find a support system or to learn more about confession to receive healing, attend a Life Recovery Group online or in person. And begin the journey toward growth and healing in a safe community.
Tired of living in the prison of addiction? Confession is the key. It brings power to the powerless. Hope to the hopeless. And freedom to those in bondage.
– Steve Arterburn