7 A's of Confessing Sin
1. Address everyone involved. If your sin is private, confess it to God. If your sin has affected others, confess it to them (see Matthew 5:23-24). Acknowledge the sin as openly as you committed it.
2. Avoid making excuses. Don’t water down a confession with some lame attempt to justify your actions (“I know it was wrong, but…”). Instead, imitate David: “Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:4).
3. Admit specifically what you did. Don’t hide behind comfortable generalities. Confess not just that you did wrong, but how (compare Leviticus 5:5). This will force you to really confront your sin.
4. Acknowledge the damage you’ve done. Your sin has grieved God (Ephesians 4:30) and may have hurt others. Own up to it. Don’t blame the victims (“I’m sorry if you were offended by what I did.”)
5. Accept the consequences of your sin. Don’t try to plea bargain with God. He will forgive, but there may still be a price to pay (see 2 Samuel 12:13-14). Be willing to bear it.
6. Alter your behavior. “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion” (Proverbs 28:13). Resolve that with God’s help, you won’t walk down that path again. Confession without repentance is hollow.
7. Accept God’s mercy. Believe His promise that if we confess our sins, He will forgive (1 John 1:9).