“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
I have quoted these scriptures and the phrase “confess so that you may be healed” to myself and others countless times. Does that sound rude? Does that sound like I’m trying to call out their sin or condemn them or myself? I’m not…I just want them to be free…I want to be free! And I’ve lived long enough and followed Jesus long enough to know that when I hold on to something or don’t confess a sin, I am miserable. Some things are easy to get rid of or say out loud and those are the ones that seem to take a little less effort running to the altar for. But, if we’re honest, some of us have something we’re hiding in the dark…something that brings us shame, makes us feel unworthy, and more. It’s the 2%, the little bit but really BIG thing we don’t want to say out loud, we don’t want to admit, we don’t want anyone else to know about. Because what will people think? Maybe we’ve gotten comfortable in our sin or we like it and don’t want to give it up. If you want to follow Christ, be used by Him for His Glory and for His Kingdom then you can’t hide. We can’t hide sin and be everything God has created us to be. He has called us to be children of Light.
“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5
It’s really interesting that I’ve been hearing this topic so much lately. Probably for the last couple years but more recently at a church service preached by Michael Miller at Park Grove Christian Church in November and then a couple week’s ago on Jennie Allen’s ‘Made for This’ podcast. We need our sin exposed, we need the stuff we shove into the dark brought into the Light.
“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” John 12:46
Some of these dark things are not even of our own doing, sins others have committed against us, forms of abuse that we try to block out or forget, or hardships that have befallen us and we hold on to pain, hurt and more. But it still needs said aloud, confessed… and we have a Savior who longs to carry the burden for us, to take the shame away, to forgive us!
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
A beautiful promise that we are not condemned if we are in Christ. So what are we waiting for? Find someone you trust and confess your sin. Be healed. Step into the Light.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
The actual writing of this song took place immediately after I listened to Jennie’s podcast, it was mostly written in about an hour…crazy! God is good 🙂
I encourage you to take a listen to this sermon by Michael Miller https://www.parkgrovechristianchurch.com/word-worship-spirit
And this episode of the ‘Made for This’ Podcast – “Want to Get Free? Listen to This” https://www.jennieallen.com/podcast
Confess & Be Healed
Verse 1
Deep inside my sin remains, things not said, my secrets laid
And I, I just can’t
What if they saw who I am, the broken, prideful, wretched man
And I, oh I just can’t
Pre-Chorus
I hear you, confess you say, what if I remain this way
I don’t want to stay the same, I don’t
I just can’t
Chorus
Confess and be healed, let the darkness disappear
The Light is here, let fear give way, be healed
Confess and be healed, let the darkness disappear
The Light has come, the victory’s won, be healed
Verse 2
You don’t know the things I’ve done, the weight, the hurt, how far I’ve run
And this, it’s tucked away
Depression, pain, anxiety, all the things it steals from me
And I, I want free!
Bridge
Speak it out, lay it down
Declare what’s in the dark
Name your sin, say it now
Let Him heal your broken heart
Tag
Mercy, grace, His righteousness, confession leads to all of this
And now, now I’m free
©2022 Christy Hoagland
ASCAP Sing for the King Publishing
Here’s a primitive recording made with my phone… 😉
Christy Hoagland 