Q: I am curious about something that was brought up in the WT study today on sin
and repentance, though not in the article, the elder conducting the study
said that even if a person has repented from a sin or practice of a sin, no
matter how long ago, he should still tell the elders, even if he was not in
that congregation for a long time.
What scriptural viewpoint is there for this? or could a person be
accountable for something they have not confessed to the congregation
although they feel that Jehovah has forgiven them, and has progressed?
And are all sins the same, for example if the sin was habitual addiction
such as tobacco or alcohol, compared to adultery pedophilia fornication, or
other gross sins. I can only answer by what the WT or elders say, but would
want another's opinion scripturally if possible.
_________________________
A: The scripture that elders usually have in mind to encourage
confession of sins is the one where James writes: "Therefore openly confess your
sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may get healed." (James
5:16) James is really emphasizing Jehovah's provision of loving older men in the
congregations who are appointed for the purpose of caring for his sheep. That is
why James says: "Is there anyone sick among you? Let him call the older men of
the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, greasing him with oil in
the name of Jehovah. And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well,
and Jehovah will raise him up. Also, if he has committed sins, it will be
forgiven him." (James 5:14,15)
Elders have no authority to forgive sins, except the ones that someone has
committed against them personally!* (Eph.
4:32) Their only authority is to guide, care for and shepherd God's sheep,
assisting them where they need help, for which they "will render an account."
(Heb. 13:17) Since we are all imperfect we all sin many times, falling short of
Jehovah's righteous standards. That is why the apostle John says, "If we make
the statement: 'We have no sin,' we are misleading ourselves and the truth is
not in us. If we confess our sins (to God), he is faithful and righteous so as
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Of course,
we need to feel genuine remorse when we have become guilty of a serious sin, and confess
it to Jehovah in prayer, asking for
his forgiveness and help in order to avoid repeating the sin in the future. Jesus died
for our sins, therefore we can gain forgiveness and continue to enjoy a close
personal relationship with our heavenly Father. But keep in mind, although
Jehovah is a merciful God, "pardoning error and transgression and sin," yet, he
will not "give exemption from punishment." There will always be consequences
when we break God's laws. (1 John 1:8-2:2; Ex. 34:6,7)
Some who have committed sins in the past that remained hidden—perhaps many years
ago—but have progressed spiritually since then, have felt the
need to clear their conscience and therefore confessed to an elder, only to end up regretting it.
One brother, who I know, was disciplined but not disfellowshipped when he
confessed to a sin he had committed, because the elders at the time felt that he
exhibited remorse. Years later, after the brother had progressed spiritually to
the point where they wanted to recommend him as a ministerial servant, he was
asked (as is usually the case) if there was anything that they should know that
might prevent him from accepting the privilege. He then confessed that he had
withheld some information when they had previously dealt with him; upon which he
was promptly disfellowshipped for having lied at that time.
Shockingly, there are elders who pry into the
private affairs of the brothers and sisters, especially of a sexual nature,
when they come to them for help, demanding all sorts of detailed descriptions regarding their behavior
in the bedroom—clearly for
their own gratification—claiming that divulging such information is important
for evidence of repentance, but which are obviously none of their business. I
have seen brothers and sisters disfellowshipped simply because "they needed to
be taught a lesson." Unqualified elders cannot differentiate between disfellowshipping
and discipline. To them they are the same! (see
"Disfellowshipping - Is it Discipline or
Punishment?")
If we keep committing the same sin, it becomes clear that we are in need of
help.
Some destructive habits—such as you mentioned: addictions to alcohol, drugs, pornography, etc.—we
often cannot overcome on our own, but they may lead to serious sins. Although
Jehovah sees our struggle and knows our desire to do what is right, and he
generously forgives us, nevertheless, he also wants us to seek the help of mature and loving
elders. After all, that is their responsibility! (Ezek. 34:4,5) And that is what James
meant when writing his
counsel, as I quoted above. We must always keep in mind that it is our
relationship with Jehovah that is the important issue, and although we may be
able to hide our secret sins from others, including the elders, we cannot hide
what we are from Jehovah. (Rom. 7:18-25; Psalms 103:8-14; Prov. 24:16; Matt.
18:21,22; Heb. 4:13)
Not all sins are the same. Although the apostle John assures us that "if anyone
does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous
one. And he is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins," yet, at the same time
Paul warns that "if we practice sin willfully after having received the
accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left,
but there is a certain fearful expectation of judgment and there is a fiery
jealousy that is going to consume those in opposition." (1 John 2:1,2; Heb.
10:26-31)
Elders have no authority to forgive sins; but they do have authority, and the
responsibility, to assist those who are weak and have become guilty of sin;
while they remember that they too fall short and sin many times. (Rom. 3:23,24;
Jude 22,23)
I hope this answers your concern.
*
Footnote:
There are those who believe that elders (or priests)
have the authority to forgive sins, referring to Jesus' words at John 20:23: "If you
forgive the sins of any persons, they stand forgiven to them; if you retain
those of any persons, they stand retained." These are not sins against God but
rather against the individual who is wronged. (Compare Luke 17:3,4; Matt.
6:9,12; 18:15-18; Acts 7:60)
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