One Another
CONFESS YOUR FAULTS AND PRAY
One Another
CONFESS YOUR FAULTS AND PRAY
Scripture Reading: James 5:16
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
In the first part of this verse, James is still thinking of healing as in the previous verses (vv. 13-15). He brings in two things: the confession of faults to one another and praying for one another. In the latter part of the verse he speaks of prayer and its power; not an ordinary prayer, but a fervent prayer of a righteous man.
Confess your trespasses: Confession of trespasses (faults) or sins is necessary if there is to be healing. Even if there is no sickness, sin should be confessed. Our verse speaks of confessing sins to one another, but sins must also be confessed to the Lord. The prayer of faith cannot operate as long as sin is locked in one’s bosom. Sin confessed will grow less, but not confessed will grow worse and worse. Finally, the sinner will become shameless in his evil and obstinate when reproved. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). “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).
Confess your trespasses to one another: Confession must not only be to God or to elders, but to one another – especially to those against whom we have sinned. Sin affects the honor of the Lord, the assembly as a unit, as well as individual members. There might be some sins that are against the Lord alone and so should be confessed only to Him, but some sins are against individuals and the assembly of Christians.
Some excuse their own faults: It is easy to see the faults of others, and some delight in pointing them out. Usually, those who enjoy pointing out the failings of others cannot bear to have their own pointed out; but will make all kinds of excuses for their own failures, while leaving none for those of others. Such need not expect healing from the Lord, but may be laid low by Him. Let us never defend our faults, but rather confess and forsake them.
Wrong done to an individual: If one sins against an individual, confession should be made to that individual. When there is trouble between individuals, they should get together and ask for pardon, and do all in their power to make things right. “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matt. 5:23, 24). The early church understood this to mean that all differences should be straightened out before they sat down together at the Lord’s table. If both parties in a quarrel have sinned, let both make mutual confession.
Confess serious sins publicly: Sometimes Christians do serious things that bring reproach on the body of Christ, the church. Such things demand pubic confession in order that it may be publicly known that the brother or sister has repented, and that the church of our Lord does not approve of such things. This will have a humbling effect on the sinner, and there is less likelihood of a repetition of the sin. Pubic discipline is not a pleasant thing, but is occasionally necessary to keep the church pure. When one is not willing to confess immoral practices publicly, it is an open admission of a truly corrupt heart, and such a person desperately needs the help of the elders – shepherds of the flock.
Private sins: Sometimes Christians are guilty of things that may not be publicly known, yet defile the Christian. These may well be confessed to Christian friends, so they may help in prayer to overcome. Some of these things should probably not be confessed to any other Christian, lest, instead of praying, busybodies scatter it abroad and do a lot of damage. It is wonderful to have true Christian friends, who will help and pray.
Let confession be definite: When confession is made, whether to God or man, let it be definite. Do not say in a general way, “I have sinned,” but let the definite sin be mentioned. One Christian, who had at one time been a drunkard, was enticed and fell back into his old sin. A brother visited him about it, and the troubled brother readily confessed and appeared penitent. They got down on their knees, and the man who had fallen began to say, “Lord, I have sinned.” The brother stopped him and said, “If you expect to be forgiven you better tell the Lord that you got drunk.” This he did, and he was restored to the Lord and to His people.
Other Scriptures: There are many examples and exhortations in the Word of God regarding confession. The chief butler confessed his sin in not telling Pharaoh of Joseph who was unjustly confined in prison (Gen. 41:9, 10). Shimei confessed his sin in cursing David (2 Sam. 19:19). Those who came to John the Baptist were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins (Matt. 3:6). In Ephesus, “And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds” (Acts 19:18). In connection with the sin offering it was necessary for the sinner to definitely confess his sin (Lev. 5:5). On the great Day of Atonement the high priest confessed the sins of the children of Israel over the head of the scapegoat (Lev. 16:21).
Not a confessional: Some religious organizations have made this verse a basis for the confessional. There is no thought here of confessing to a human being for the forgiveness of sins. It is a Christian’s confession of sins to one another. It is not a regular thing, but an occasional confession as need arises. Some in the religious world believe that confessing sin on a regular basis to a church leader is necessary for salvation. While it is good and right for Christians to confess to one another when need arises, the real confessional is the throne of God.
Pray for one another: After confession, fault should not be found with the confessor, but prayer should be made for the child of God. The main purpose and value of confession is that prayer might be made a matter of fellowship with others. “Brethren, pray for me; I have this besetting sin, and I am having great difficulty overcoming it.” Two, three or more praying about a matter is surely better than one. Sadly, many of us are unable to confide serious matters even to our wives.
Not selfish in our prayers: No doubt, some are selfish in their prayers. They say, “Lord, give me this, or give me that.” They never think to pray for anyone else beyond themselves and their families. They are like the man who prayed: “Lord bless me and my wife, my son and his wife; we four and no more.” Of course we should pray for our families, but we should not stop there. We should pray for everyone in our congregation of Christians, every day if possible. We will not soon quarrel with one for whom we constantly pray, but we will learn to love and sympathize with such. Our prayer circle should broaden out to friends, neighbors, acquaintances, those in power in the government, even our enemies (Matt. 5:44). We can do nothing better for anyone than to put them on our prayer list.
Paul’s prayer life: It is interesting to note Paul’s prayer life. In almost every epistle he mentions his prayers. In Romans 1:9 he says, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.” In 1 Corinthians 1:4, he says, “I thank my God always concerning you.” Obviously, Paul spent a lot of time praying. He often counsels to prayer, too, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:17; “Pray without ceasing.” He also asks for prayer, as in 1 Thessalonians 5:25, “Brethren, pray for us.” May the Lord help us become men and women of prayer like the great apostle Paul.
That you may be healed: In the first part of James 5:16, James still has healing in mind. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another” Why? “That you may be healed.” Thus he makes confession to and prayer for one another added conditions for healing. This is above what we have in verses 14 and 15. Often spiritual health and physical health are closely related. The story is told of a woman who, in addition to many other troubles, had a nervous breakdown. At the height of it all, she turned to the Lord and was born again. In time her nervousness vanished away.
The effective, fervent prayer: In the last part of this verse, James leaves the matter of the body, and brings prayer into a far wider sphere. The American Standard Version translates this as, “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.” A supplication is an earnest or fervent prayer. Not even saying prayers in a fervent way will do. Some pray in the worship service with a strong voice and an emphatic tone – so much so that one is tempted to wonder about the sincerity. Some say prayers, but never pray. Some are little better than the man who tired of repeating the Lord’s Prayer. He tacked a copy of it over his bed, and said, “Lord, there’s my sentiments,” after which he would slip into bed. Let our prayers be a pouring out of our hearts to God. Let them be like Jacob; a prevailing through wrestling with the Lord (Gen. 32:28).
Effective prayers: We have many cases of fervent effectual prayer in the Word of God. Abraham could really pray. His intercession for Sodom, because of Lot, is classic (Gen. 18:23-32). But you say, “Sodom was destroyed anyway.” Yes, but Lot was spared, and obviously Abraham was thinking mostly of him. Moses constantly interceded for the children of Israel. The Lord’s wrath waxed hot at the time of the worshipping of the golden calf, but Moses’ intercession prevailed (Ex. 32:10-14). At Kadesh Barnea, when the spies brought back their evil report and the people wept and refused to go forward, we again find Moses interceding (Num. 14:13-20). In fervent appeal, Joshua called for the sun and moon to stand still (Josh. 10:12). Samuel prayed and was heard; so also Hezekiah, Asa, Job, Daniel, and many others.
He promises to answer fervent prayers: The Word of God is full of promises saying that the Lord will hear and answer fervent prayer. Many such promises are in the Psalms. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them” (Ps. 145:18-19). The Lord Jesus has much to say along this line. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8). Luke 18 is a wonderful commentary on our verse (James 5:16). There we have the well-known story of the Pharisee and the publican, as well as many other stories.
Prayer of a righteous man: For prayer to be answered, the man who prays must be righteous. But, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). In the absolute sense there are none righteous in this whole world. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). However, according to Romans 3:21-26 (KJV), many have been made righteous as the result of the faith of Christ. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Rom. 5:19). God will never consider anyone righteous apart from trusting and obeying Jesus Christ, and receiving a new life from Him.
Righteous in Christ and in deed: When James speaks of a righteous man, He is surely speaking of one who is righteous in Christ, and as a result, is living a righteous life. Not righteous in the absolute sense in that he never sins, but one who is conscientiously trying to live a life well-pleasing to the Lord. If such a righteous man’s prayer is earnest, it will be heard. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry” (Ps. 34:15). “The prayer of the upright is His delight” (Prov. 15:8). The Lord calls Abel righteous in Hebrews 11:4, and Noah became the heir of righteousness by faith (Heb. 11:7). James himself was called “the righteous.” Tradition says that James prayed so much, he had great callouses on his knees and was sometime called “camel knees.” The prayers of this kind of righteous man are the kind that avails much.
