Introduction: Jesus Christ died on the cross and through His sacrificial death our sins can be forgiven and forgotten. His redeeming blood has purchased those who trust in Him! Therefore, we do not need a high priest, or a pope, or a preacher to approach God’s “throne of Grace.” We can go straight to His throne because of our GREAT HIGH PRIEST.
(Heb 10:19f)

“19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).”

And at the same time, James writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we are to confess our faults one to another. 

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

What did he mean? Obviously, when we sin against a brother or sister we should “confess” it and ask their forgiveness even though first we should seek God’s forgiveness. In other words, we need to make restitution.

Is that what James meant? Let’s examine the text.

The word “confess” is ἐξομολογέω,(ex-om-ol-og-eh’-o), which means to consent fully, agree out and out, confess, admit, acknowledge a debt.

But look at the word “faults.” It is ἁμαρτία,: (ham-ar-tee’-ah), which means failure: missing the mark; hence: guilt, sin, a fault, failure (in an ethical sense), sinful deed.

One of the purposes and values for confessing our “faults” to each other is for PRAYER, not GOSSIP or SELF-RIGHTEOUS responses.

Several important principles:

1. Some are not ready to hear confessions without breaking confidentiality.

2. The confession is for accountability and intercession not for forgiveness unless that one (someone) has been wronged.

3. The word healed is ἰάομαι: (ee-ah’-om-ahee), which means to heal, generally of the physical, sometimes of spiritual, disease.