Confession

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ He said, ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.’ Genesis 3:8-10

We were talking tonight in class about honesty in prayer. This passage came up as an example of how God knows all of our shortcomings and sins, and yet we strive to hide them from him anyway.

If God knows what we have done wrong, then why is confession necessary?

• Isn't there truth to the idea that sharing our sins with God is a step in forming a relationship with him?
• By stating our sin, do we take ownership of it? Once we accept that have sinned, then do we take a step with God in correcting that sin?
• When we confess our sins, do we open our hearts to God's forgiveness?

Notice in the scripture above that God gives Adam and Eve the freedom to confess? He leaves the choice up to them, just as he leaves it up to us.