Confess Your Faults

James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.   


Yes, it's the same verse as yesterday but today we talk about the first part of the verse. 


Confess - to own or acknowledge, to admit.  We can't fix what we don't admit or acknowledge


Faults - failures, things that are wrong.  We are all human and make mistakes.


Pray - call out to God


Healed - to make whole or entire


I know some folks have trouble with the first part of this verse and I understand the reason. Trusting someone else with knowledge of our failures can be a scary thing.  But I don't think that is truly what this verse is talking about.  I think this part of the verse is preparing us for the last part of the verse and you have to understand that part (hence why I did the last part first) to truly understand the first part.


I'm not a Bible scholar but after reading the verse in its entirety, I think the confessing of your faults spoke of here refers to making things right with others, not going around telling everyone your failures.  The Bible tells us in  Matt 5: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say , Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.   23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;   24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way ; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.


Before you pray, if there is anything between you and another, you need to make it right (confess your fault).  And the way I read the verse in James, you not only confess your fault, you pray for each other.  And if you confess your fault and pray for each other, there will be healing.  Now this to me begs the question - is the healing in this verse talking about physical healing or it is spiritual and emotional healing?  It could be all of the above and honestly it probably is.


However, to me as I read this I see a picture of the true preparation for sincere prayer.  When one is repentant and gets right with God and his fellowman, relationships are healed and they are in a place where God can hear their prayer.  To be that righteous man praying the effectual, fervent prayer, you must have a right relationship with God.  That often means taking the steps to heal relationships with others.


So today, look into your heart and if there is a 'fault' that is keeping you from an effective prayer life, go to that brother or sister, do your part to make it right.  Now you may say but I know they won't forgive or they won't listen.  You are not responsible for their actions just your own.  Do your part, then give it to God.  It is amazing the freedom and peace you will find in that.