Why it's better to hide your sins from people?

[AkronPonderer]

Along their spiritual journey, everyone, at one time or another, has to decide how much they are going to hide their sins from people. I don’t mean hiding them from God, and not utilizing the gift of Confession, I mean people, such as parents, friends, work associates, etc.

I’ve read many motives for why some people seem to do this, and other actually flaunt their past trangressions to the general public. Of course, many people don’t even agree some activities are sinful, or don’t believe in sin at all.

My conclusion is that it’s better to hide present and past sins from the general public because it leads to a general weakening of the social spirit of Christian community. Failure to hide them seems to promote sinful behaviors in other people, almost as if your bad behavior gives other people a license to sin.

Anyone else have thoughts or comments on this topic?

 

[puzzleannie]

I always thought the reason the Church in its wisdom moved from public confession of sins to private confession to the priest, who represented the Church and Christ, was that the public confessions must have become for some people a Jerry/Montel/ Sally Jessy/Oprah thing engendering unhealthy emotional excitement for both the penitent and the congregation.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Along their spiritual journey, everyone, at one time or another, has to decide how much they are going to hide their sins from people. I don’t mean hiding them from God, and not utilizing the gift of Confession, I mean people, such as parents, friends, work associates, etc.

I’ve read many motives for why some people seem to do this, and other actually flaunt their past trangressions to the general public. Of course, many people don’t even agree some activities are sinful, or don’t believe in sin at all.

My conclusion is that it’s better to hide present and past sins from the general public because it leads to a general weakening of the social spirit of Christian community. Failure to hide them seems to promote sinful behaviors in other people, almost as if your bad behavior gives other people a license to sin.

Anyone else have thoughts or comments on this topic?

Private confession strengthens the church not through hiding but teaching of discipline. You must discipline yourself to refrain from knowing your neighbors sins.

Similarly if you or your neighbors confess a crime the US court system refuses to accept your confession, because a religious operations base is better than solving a single crime.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

Interesting issue.

Was the practice of public confession in the book of Acts wrong? If not, then perhaps there is a role for it today. I am not saying that we ought to be constantly airing our sins in public, mind you. But to reveal them to the faithful, in a fully penitent way, in a way that manifests your hatred of that sin – this seems perfectly permissible, and in fact beneficial.

Paul’s take on issues like this was largely pragmatic. You say that it would dishearten Christians to know of each others’ sins. I have experienced quite the opposite. When brothers of mine have shared with me their struggle with certain sins, I have felt stronger in the faith than ever.

A caveat: If one cannot share a sin in a spirit of repentance, it ought not be communicated, period.

Those interested in this topic might read “The Wounded Healer,” by Henry Nouwen. It’s all about witnessing to Christ by sharing our weaknesses.

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Interesting issue.

Was the practice of public confession in the book of Acts wrong? If not, then perhaps there is a role for it today. I am not saying that we ought to be constantly airing our sins in public, mind you. But to reveal them to the faithful, in a fully penitent way, in a way that manifests your hatred of that sin – this seems perfectly permissible, and in fact beneficial.

Paul’s take on issues like this was largely pragmatic. You say that it would dishearten Christians to know of each others’ sins. I have experienced quite the opposite. When brothers of mine have shared with me their struggle with certain sins, I have felt stronger in the faith than ever.

A caveat: If one cannot share a sin in a spirit of repentance, it ought not be communicated, period.

Those interested in this topic might read “The Wounded Healer,” by Henry Nouwen. It’s all about witnessing to Christ by sharing our weaknesses.

I am under the impression that was a church of Catholics only, and women may not have even been present. During the period of Acts only Bishops held Mass, etc. I still believe public confession would weaken the laity, and the church.

 

[BlestOne]

I am reminded of mass…

I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

 

[jmcrae]

I think it’s up to the person, how much they want to reveal. I also think the situation has a bearing on it, as well. I would never recommend to an RCIA candidate who is struggling with something to reveal that to anyone in his group. Certain things are nobody else’s business.

But later on, if they are giving a conversion testimony (and years after the bad habit has long since been broken) it might be useful to include the sin that they needed God’s help with, and tell how God gave them the strength to overcome it.

 

[Pug]

But later on, if they are giving a conversion testimony (and years after the bad habit has long since been broken) it might be useful to include the sin that they needed God’s help with, and tell how God gave them the strength to overcome it.

My conversion (well, my second conversion, or however you count) cannot be explained without reference to me being a sinner. I omit the exact sin in the retelling, but it is easily deduced if they know me at all.

 

[fiat1122]

I always thought the reason the Church in its wisdom moved from public confession of sins to private confession to the priest, who represented the Church and Christ, was that the public confessions must have become for some people a Jerry/Montel/ Sally Jessy/Oprah thing engendering unhealthy emotional excitement for both the penitent and the congregation.

yup and I NOW only go to anonymouse confessions where the priest does NOT know me nor see me. I had a bad experience where indirectly the priest when he would see me, would indirectly remind me of my sins, and then started treating me different. I was going to accuse him with the Bishop, but it would have been a long process and I had to much on my mind to deal with more problems.

 

[burnside]

I read a long time ago that private confession became the norm
because public confession was causing scandal.
In addition,i think there is a tendency for people doing face to face confession and with only venial sins to confess to say,“look at me,Father,i’m so holy!!!”.If they did fall into mortal sin,would they still do the more public type of confession?

 

[Newbie2]

I don’t necessarily “hiding” and “not discussing” one’s sins are equivalent; i.e. wearing them on your sleeve vs. discussing them in/under appropirate circumstances.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Was the practice of public confession in the book of Acts wrong? If not, then perhaps there is a role for it today.

**Public sins were confessed publicly, private sins privately.

Don’t forget that primitive Christianity was just that–PRIMITIVE.

Nobody seems to want to practice primitive obstectrics or primitive abdominal surgery.

Why should primitive Christianity be better?

Maybe the primitive Church had public confession. It also lived with martyrdom as a constant real probability, to say nothing about not having buildings or air-conditioning.

If we want to be like the primitive Church in one thing–why not in EVERYTHING?

Think about it.**