Hindrance 5: Unconfessed sins involving others
James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and
pray for each other so that you may be healed." NIV
It is interesting to notice that James encourages us here to
confess our sins to one another and then to pray for
healing. Healing cannot occur without the confession of our
hidden sins.
Please do remember though that we should never assume that
someone is sick because of his sins (read our study about
Where Does Sickness Come From?) God's Word clearly points
out that sickness is not always caused by our sins.
Unwillingness to confess sins will hinder the healing
process of that person. Here is a true story shared by Chuck
Swindoll that illustrates this very well.
"A couple had become estranged. They couldn't pinpoint the
exact moment their relationship had broken down, but over
the years, they had drifted apart until they were
strangers-and enemies-in the same house. Humanely speaking,
reconciliation was impossible. Too many feelings had been
hurt. Too many harsh words had been said. Love had long ago
been replaced by hatred.
Over time, the woman began to suffer from intense, chronic
back pain, which escalated to the point that she was finally
hospitalized. When a group of elders from her church went to
visit her, her neck and back was so still that she couldn't
even turn her head. Tears of pain poured down her cheeks as
they knelt around her bed and placed their hands on her.
During his prayer, one of the elders became inspired to
quote parts of James 5. "Lord," he said, graciously and
quietly, "if there be anything in this woman's life that may
not be right, if maybe there might be some barrier, some
sinfulness, we pray that you will bring it to her attention
and give her the honesty and vulnerability to confess it."
"Stop, stop!" she cried.
The elders looked up, amazed.
"All of you, stand up!"
They complied.
"You need to know that I used to live a double life," she
confessed. Her tears flowed freely as she described her
immoral background. Then she finished by admitting that she
had never told anyone, not even her husband, and she had
never brought it before the Lord.
Just then her husband entered the room. She looked up and
began pouring out her heart to him. She told him everything,
and in the end, he took her in his arms and forgave her.
What happened next was incredible. This lady, whose pain was
so intense she couldn't even move her head, jumped out of
bed and hugged everyone. The pain was completely gone!"
Based on a sermon from Chuck Swindoll. See
http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/confession.htm)
Be careful though! 1 John 3:21-22 "Dear friends, if our
hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God."
NIV Do not dig into your past to dig out sins that have
already been forgiven. Depend on God's Holy Spirit to reveal
your sins.
Also we who are bystranders, let us not assume that this
person is not healed because of unforgiven sins. We should
be concerned of our own sins, not theirs. Soon you may join
that person as a bedfellow!
