If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. - 1 John 1:8-9 I don't want you to live in the darkness, held hostage by hidden sin.  Every sin that shames you can be washed away as it is brought into the light.  So as I point out the sin that has come between us, instead of excusing it, confess it. Sin shuns the light and wants to remain hidden.  There, unexpressed, it poisons the whole person.  But when the light of the gospel breaks into this dark seclusion of the heart, when the unexpressed is openly acknowledged, it loses its power.  You are no longer alone with this evil but, through confession, you hand it over to me.  As you come out of the hiding, you stand in the fellowship of sinners who live by my grace - healed, forgiven, cleansed - with nothing to hide.