Prussian King Frederick the Great was once touring a Berlin prison. The prisoners fell on their knees before him to proclaim their innocence — except for one man, who remained silent. Frederick called to him, “Why are you here?”

“Armed robbery, Your Majesty,” was the reply.

“And are you guilty?”

“Yes indeed, Your Majesty, I deserve my punishment.”

Frederick then summoned the jailer and ordered him, “Release this guilty wretch at once. I will not have him kept in this prison where he will corrupt all the fine, innocent people who occupy it.”

Many of us have unconfessed sin in our own lives. How frequently we try to hide it, sheepishly holding it behind our backs like a guilty child caught in an act of mischief! Confession demonstrates true character, for it takes courage to accept responsibility for our actions.

Confession is not merely acknowledging we were wrong, saying how sorry we are, or even regretting our actions, but involves a change of our mind towards our sin, or repentance. The Greek word for confess is homologeo and means “to say the same thing as another.”

When we agree with God that our sin is an offense to His holiness, this Godly sorrow produces repentance—and the sooner, the better! Now is the time to settle your account! This action will transform your relationships and open the door to lasting fellowship.