Before diving into this guide, we strongly encourage you to watch or listen to the full message:

This message lays the foundation for everything we’re talking about here. It’s raw, honest, and rooted in grace.

Let’s be real. For many of us, confession has become a lost practice. We talk about sin in general, but we rarely name it personally or share it in community. And yet, the Bible points over and over to confession as a pathway to freedom—not shame.

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul confronts a church that had let sin become normal—lawsuits, sexual immorality, division. It was messy. But Paul didn’t walk away from them; he called them higher. And not because he was trying to shame them—but because they were too valuable to leave stuck in compromise.

Confession brings us back to our identity. It reminds us that we’re not our failures—we’re washed, sanctified, justified (1 Cor. 6:11). When we stop hiding and start confessing, something powerful happens: the grip of sin breaks, the burden of shame lifts, and the love of Jesus feels real again.

And let’s face it—our souls get heavy when we carry stuff alone. Confession helps us drop the baggage and walk in step with the Spirit again.

Here are four simple, grounded ways to bring confession back into your walk with God without making it weird, preachy, or performative:

Set aside time this week—10 quiet minutes, no phone, no distractions. Tell God what’s real. Don’t sugarcoat it. Say, “God, I’ve been prideful... I’ve been angry… I’ve been struggling with lust.” Use Psalm 51 or 1 John 1:9 to help you pray through it.

Confession isn’t about guilt—it’s about coming home. God isn’t shocked by your mess. He’s just waiting to clean it up.

Sometimes we share our struggles with people who can’t spiritually carry them. That leads to judgment, gossip, or shallow advice. Instead, talk to someone who is truly following Jesus—who knows what it means to listen with grace and respond with truth.

This could be a trusted friend, mentor, minister, or someone in your small group who’s walking the walk. Let them pray with you. Not because you can’t go straight to God—but because healing comes in community too (James 5:16).

And a note here: be wise. Church hurt is real. Don’t unload your soul to someone who isn’t ready to handle it. Pick someone who will point you back to Jesus, not just vent with you.

Confession doesn’t stop when we hit 40 or 60. In fact, it gets more essential. As we age, there’s a temptation to bury stuff, to get bitter, to hold on to pride or regret instead of staying soft and open before God.

Make confession a lifelong rhythm. Ask yourself: Is there anything I’m holding onto that God wants to heal?

Confession isn’t just for rock-bottom moments. Don’t wait for life to fall apart before you get real with God or a brother/sister in Christ.

That said, some moments do call for deep reflection—baptism, marriage, leadership, or even grief. These are chances to clean house spiritually.

Before her baptism, I asked my Aunt Olga, “Is there anything your holding onto before you meet our Father?” She confessed and entered the water clean, free, and at peace. That’s the power of confession—it prepares us to fully meet God.

If your soul’s been tired… if your temple’s gotten messy… if you’ve been hiding stuff under “I’m fine”—this is your moment to run back to Jesus.

You’re not your sin. You’re His.

Don’t carry shame another week. Talk to God. Find someone trustworthy to confess to. Let Jesus wash it clean. And walk lighter into whatever’s next.

— God Bless & Godspeed