Why Do We Need To Admit The Exact Nature Of Our Wrongs?

Monday May 15, 2023

Step 5 of the 12-Step program of A.A. asks that we admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. The assumption is that we have looked at our past behaviour and made a moral inventory of all our wrongdoing. The details of our inventory clearly show that we lived for self-gratification and our lives were full of all kinds of wickedness. Thankfully, when we gave our will and life over to the care of God, He forgave all our sins and gave us a new nature.

For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who bought our freedom with his blood and forgave us all our sins. (Colossians 1:13-14 TLB)

Why then do we need to admit the exact nature of our wrongs to God, ourselves, and another human being? Confession of our sins gives us protection from the power and accusation of the evil one. Many of us are aware that Satan uses what we have done to fill us with guilt and shame and fear of being found out. When we admit the exact nature of our wrongs as directed by Step 5, we disarm Satan and ruin his strategy against us. Our pride may be deflated by admission of what we have been about for many years, but the truth will set us free from the burden of any sin we might still be wrestling with.

In this way God took away Satan’s power to accuse you of sin, and God openly displayed to the whole world Christ’s triumph at the cross where your sins were all taken away. (Colossians 2:15 TLB)

It is wise to ask God to show us to whom we might confess the exact nature of our wrongs. Perhaps we may know of a pastor or some other person who, in the past, has demonstrated compassion and understanding of our condition and has been willing to pray for us and for others. As we move forward in our recovery, we may also want to arrange accountability for our future actions to that person.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am forever grateful that, through Jesus, all my sins are forgiven. As I do a Step-5 please help me to be truthful so that Satan ceases to have ammunition with which to accuse and harass me. Amen

More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/

Why Do We Need To Admit The Exact Nature Of Our Wrongs?

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