Saturday, April 17, 2021

Guide to Confessing Our Sins

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8)

 

Take a moment to prayerfully consider the following questions. As you recognize any shortcomings, confess your sin to God. Remember, He already knows your heart as well as everything you’ve done, said, and thought.

 

And the Lord spoke all these words…

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.”

Have I neglected spending time with God this week?

Have I placed other things above God? (Work, Chores, Anxieties, Hobbies, People, Money, etc.)

Have I rejected any teaching of God’s word?

Have I acted superstitiously?

 

“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

Have I spoken of God lightly or disrespectfully?

Have I failed to treat sacred matters seriously?

Have I failed to correct those who speak wrongly of God?

 

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”

Have I set aside a time of worship this week?

Have any of my actions kept others from observing a Sabbath rest?

 

“Honor your father and your mother.”

Have I shown respect to my parents?

Have I shown respect to those who are elders in the Church?

Have I neglected to care for my older relatives?

 

“You shall not murder.”

Have I had an abortion or encouraged anyone else to have an abortion?

Have I hurt anyone else physically?

Have I hurt anyone else emotionally?

Have I harbored anger or ill-will against anyone else?

Have I hurt myself physically?

Have I spoken negatively to myself?

Have I abused drugs or alcohol?

Have I over-indulged in food or drink?

Have I treated animals cruelly?

 

“You shall not commit adultery.”

Have I been unfaithful to my spouse?

Have I been sexually active outside of marriage?

Have I lusted after anyone who isn’t my spouse?

Have I viewed pornographic material?

Have I viewed other media for the sake of sexual or romantic stimulation?

Have I dressed immodestly?

Have I acted inappropriately toward anyone of the same or opposite sex?

Have I told or listened to impure jokes or speech?

 

“You shall not steal.”

Have I taken someone else’s belongings?

Have I taken advantage of anyone by not paying them fairly for their work?

Have I taken advantage of anyone by not giving them a fair product or service for what they paid me?

Have I infringed on anyone’s rights by viewing or listening to media that wasn’t fairly paid for?

Have I paid what I owed?

Have I made a sincere effort to meet my and my family’s financial needs?

Have I given to God’s work in the world?

Have I been a good steward of the earth’s resources?

 

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”

Have I lied about anyone?

Have I gossiped or spoken unnecessarily about anyone?

Have I kept secret what was told me in confidence?

 

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:1-17).

Have I desired what God has reserved for someone else?

Have I desired what God does not desire for me?

Have I sought the Lord’s will for what He desires for me?

Have I encouraged discontent through what I’ve read, or watched, or searched on the internet?

 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

 

Through the sacrifice of Christ, your sins are forgiven.

 

 

 

 

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