Once we’ve given space for self-examination, always in reliance on the Holy Spirit as the searching agent, we are ready to confess. Confession is as simple and unpretentious as it sounds. Whatever has been revealed to us, say it out loud to God. That’s it. When we name it to God, we “bring it into the light,”28 which weakens the power of sin and calls on the power of grace for healing and freedom. Much of the time, confession should be practiced in mature, trusted spiritual friendship, enabling the confessor to receive absolution in hearing the gospel preached back to them.
