“You always need to confess your sins to the Lord. If they are serious
transgressions, such as immorality, they need to be confessed to a
bishop or stake president. Please understand that confession is not
repentance. It is an essential step, but is not of itself adequate. Partial
confession by mentioning lesser mistakes will not help you resolve a
more serious, undisclosed transgression. Essential to forgiveness is a
willingness to fully disclose to the Lord and, where necessary, His
priesthood judge all that you have done."
~ Elder Richard G. Scott
Why is confession an essential part of repentance?
Why is confession an essential part of repentance?
I have found that with age I have gained a greater understanding of the importance of being fully honest with my confessions. By letting go and truly trusting the Lord to be my mediator and fully accepting His atonement - I strengthen my relationship with Him. I learn more about Him and am strengthen to recommit myself to be true.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise if I am not honest and I only confess the transgressions what I feel I should – My actions tells the Lord that I do not believe Him and trust that His atonement is for me. I allow my own pride, shame, guilt to take precedence over the love of the Lord. Temptations come at me stronger and I am bound by the past wrongs instead of being freed from them with a full and honest confession. Therefore – I distance myself from the Savior and my frustration clouds my ability to distinguish between truth and fiction when choices are set before me.
Very good insights. Confession is a very challenging part of the process. Not only do we admit we were wrong and stupid, but it shows willingness to submit to higher authority and intelligence. I really like your thought about being "bound" by past wrongs when we don't fully confess them - even to ourselves!! What is it they say... "freedom is not free". There is definitely a price to pay. Our ego.
ReplyDeleteAmen! My ego is always getting in my way.
ReplyDelete