Thoughts about confession and repentance - not the same thing

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St. SteVen

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I have observed that the terms
confession and repentance
are often misunderstood.

The disconnect seems to be about the term confession.
The term repent, or repented is used where confession is intended.

- "Did you repent of your sins?"
Instead of, "Did you confess your sins?"

- "I repented and came to Jesus."
Instead of, "I confessed my sins when I came to Jesus."

Confess = to admit, or agree with God

Repent = to turn away from sin and toward God.

Let's discuss.
1) How do confession and repentance work independently?
2) How do confession and repentance work together?
3) Which comes first: repentance, or confession?
4) How does confession and repentance work in an on-going way?
5) Or do we only need to repent of our sin once? (loaded question)
6) Do you define these terms differently than I do? How?
7) When you came to Jesus, did you repent of your sins? (loaded question)

[
 
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Lambano

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Confess = to admit, or agree with God

Repent = to turn away from sin and toward God.
6) Do you define these terms differently than I do? How?

Good topic. But I did a study on "repentance", and I don't know if I'd agree with that definition of "repentance". Repentance in the NT is a change of mind (from the Greek "metanoia", to change your mind) about what you're doing and its effect on your relationship with God. A change of heart?

There's a couple of Hebrew terms for repentance. "Nocham" refers to regret, sorrow, which aligns better with the Greek "metanoia". "Teshuva" is more a turning-around, a returning. There's a different Greek word for that - "epistrophe".

Nuances that may or may not matter. Where I think it matters is when you're not successful in completely stopping a particular sin the first time. Or the second time, or the nth time... Did you really repent, even though you know it's wrong?
 
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PGS11

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If you confess your sins without intending to try to repent its not a real confession they go hand in hand you have to do both.In order for your confession to be real you must repent or at the very least attempt to or whats the point of confessing you don't intend to try to quit sinning.You have to be sorry for your sins. and not want to repeat them.
 
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Bob

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Thank you (again) for your thought-provoking post.

To begin, the foundation: the two great commandments—Love God and Love Your Neighbor.

Love Your Neighbor has two companion characteristics: (a) to forgive those who harm you, and (b) to make amends if you harm someone, unintentionally or not.

So, what is required of us to make amends, to the person harmed, as well as to God for disobedience?

Let’s take an example of a sharp tongue spoken in anger (and regretted). Per James 3:2—For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

If, as was the case with the Apostle Paul, my sharp tongue is the thorn God has given me, and He won’t take it away but says, “My Grace is sufficient.” As a result, my life is littered with apologies and confessions.

Repent, too? Am I not turned completely toward God?

Blessings.
 
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Lambano

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5) Or do we only need to repent of our sin once? (loaded question)
7) When you came to Jesus, did you repent of your sins? (loaded question)

Always assume all guns and all questions are loaded.

I ran into a guy on anther website who held that you only need to return to God once. This may tie in with the eternal OSAS debates.

As for repenting of your sins at your come-to-Jesus moment... Does that mean that you stopped all your sinning at that moment? I've heard people claim that, mostly based on 1 John 3:9.
 
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Ritajanice

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I repented only once , even then God brought me to my repentance, my sins were lifted the moment I received the gift of faith and was baptised in the Spirit....my sins past ,present and future are no more.

The Holy Spirit cannot indwell the heart / spirit of a sinner....we still have that old man to deal with.

A Born Again doesn’t sin because they have been Born Of God’s seed...in other words their spirit has been Born Again by the seed of God..His Holy Spirit.

On saying that....I confess to no one....if I do a wrong , then I don’t ask the Lord for forgiveness as I’ve already received forgiveness by divine revelation...of all sin ,past,present and future.God sees no more.

I say I am sorry Lord as it weighs heavy on my conscience as a Born Again .....my belief.
 
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PGS11

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It would have to be repentance first in my view maybe not actually repenting but in your mind you have decided that what you have been doing needs to be confessed and if its a true confession you will attempt to repent. Repentance seems to be the action caused by confession but you have to believe that you have sinned its in the mind first.
 
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St. SteVen

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It would have to be repentance first in my view maybe not actually repenting but in your mind you have decided that what you have been doing needs to be confessed and if its a true confession you will attempt to repent. Repentance seems to be the action caused by confession but you have to believe that you have sinned its in the mind first.
I was thinking about the Sinner's Prayer when I read your post.
But it's a bit of a conundrum. Could go either way.

- Acknowledge your sinful condition and turn away from/change your mind about sin. Or...
- Turn away from/change your mind about sin and acknowledge your sinful condition.

[
 

Ritajanice

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- Turn away from/change your mind about sin and acknowledge your sinful condition.
Yes, we need to put on the new man....I don’t see my wrong thoughts as sin...I see them as the old man rising his ugly head, just a different way of looking at it ,Brother.
 
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St. SteVen

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Yes, we need to put on the new man....I don’t see my wrong thoughts as sin...I see them as the old man rising his ugly head, just a different way of looking at it ,Brother.
Yes, there is a progressing toward sin.

James 1:14-15 NIV
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

1728315928886.jpeg

[ cc: @BarneyFife
 

Ritajanice

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Yes, there is a progressing toward sin.

James 1:14-15 NIV
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

View attachment 50665

[ cc: @BarneyFife
God also tells a Born Again that they don’t sin as we have been Born Of God’s seed, that also came by divine revelation.

Therefore I don’t sin, it’s the old man who rises up, we will never be free of him, this is where the full armour of God is relevant, plus we have the mind of Christ...again knowing we have the mind of Christ must also come by divine revelation.....we grow in spirit understanding.by the Spirit.

God sees no sin in his spirit children.

As a Born Again our minds are being renewed by day one of our conversion.

1 John 3​

King James Version​

3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1 Corinthians 2​

King James Version​

2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.


Peter said that “everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins” (Act 10:43). John said the blood of Jesus “cleanses us from all sin”—past, present, and future (1 John 1:7). Then he adds, “your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake” (1 John 2:12).

Romans 12

King James Version

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
 
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Lambano

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The point of bringing up the Romans 7 quote was, are we responsible for the thoughts, words, and deeds of our "old man" or "old lady"?
  • Does his (or her, or whatever possessive pronouns one prefers in these modern times) sins need to be repented of when he acts up?
  • Is it appropriate to confess the "old man's" recent sins if they were effectively committed by someone else?
  • Can we truly repent of the "old man's" sins if we didn't commit them?

The theology books say the Gnostic movement in the late 1st / early second century held that since you're not your flesh, it doesn't matter if you let it run wild like I've seen some parents let their kids do at the mall. John wrote his first epistle to counter that ill-conceived notion.
 
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Ritajanice

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My Faith is in God by divine revelation, backed up by the written word.​

Romans 12​

King James Version​

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
 

doctrox

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1) How do confession and repentance work independently?
2) How do confession and repentance work together?
3) Which comes first: repentance, or confession?
4) How does confession and repentance work in an on-going way?
5) Or do we only need to repent of our sin once? (loaded question)
6) Do you define these terms differently than I do? How?
7) When you came to Jesus, did you repent of your sins? (loaded question)
1) God already knows all about our bag of trash. But he requires us to bring it to the light (aka confess), to our benefit. Having then confessed, you obtain mercy and grace to help to be able to resist i.e. to turn from the sin (aka repent). Heb.4:16

2) As above.

3) One can't repent (e.g. from addictions) until they have the strength to do so. Confession brings the power of God to your table so you're then able to repent/resist.

4) The reason why most don't get delivered is because they don't continue to resist, and so the demon will never tap out. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Jam.4:7

5) Repentance is an action, not a one-off, as you will be tested strongly because the devil hates losing territory he has held previously. You will be flicking off attacks more than usual after any confession.

6) Not sure what you mean by this question. But most folks are hung up on terms rather than being trained up with their Sword.

7) When I came to Jesus, I confessed the lot, both known and unknown. The strength to repent came after. Initially, because you're weak, it is enough to will it. Addicts fall into this category; they know they cannot physically/physiologically "resist" the temptations, but they voluntarily make a choice to exercise their free will in God's direction to "resist;" such is sufficient for deliverance.
 
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St. SteVen

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The point of bringing up the Romans 7 quote was, are we responsible for the thoughts, words, and deeds of our "old man" or "old lady"?
No sir !!!!!!!!!!!!
I am NOT responsible for the thoughts, words, and deeds of MY "old lady".
She's on her own. - LOL

[
 
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doctrox

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I am NOT responsible for the thoughts, words, and deeds of MY "old lady".
She's on her own. - LOL
Yes, BUT...the husband is to sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word (Eph. 5:26). For example, do the two of you pray together and read the Word together? (hypothetical question, no need to reply)
 

St. SteVen

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From the OP.

I have observed that the terms
confession and repentance
are often misunderstood.


The disconnect seems to be about the term confession.
The term repent, or repented is used where confession is intended.

- "Did you repent of your sins?"
Instead of, "Did you confess your sins?"

- "I repented and came to Jesus."
Instead of, "I confessed my sins when I came to Jesus."

Confess = to admit, or agree with God
Repent = to turn away from sin and toward God.

Let's discuss.
1) How do confession and repentance work independently?
2) How do confession and repentance work together?
3) Which comes first: repentance, or confession?
4) How does confession and repentance work in an on-going way?
5) Or do we only need to repent of our sin once? (loaded question)
6) Do you define these terms differently than I do? How?
7) When you came to Jesus, did you repent of your sins? (loaded question)

[
 
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