"In like manner, when the enemy tempts a just soul with his wiles and deceits, he wishes and desires that they be received and kept in secret. When they are revealed to a confessor or some other spiritual person who understands his deceits and evil designs, the enemy is greatly displeased for he knows that he cannot succeed in his evil design once his obvious deceits have been discovered."

                                          -Ignatius of Loyola 

Ignatius makes it clear in his writings that the enemies biggest fear is confession. When we confess the sin in our lives it gives us freedom in which God desires all to live in- this is the life to the fullest that he has promised. But for some reason, in the community that I have grown up in- and maybe even more commonly within the church, I've discovered that this is sooooo hard to do. We do everything in our power to avoid being honest about the crap in our lives, so that we might look a little bit prettier. (Im really good at that.) 

When I was 18, one of my best friends and I went out to grab a burger. We had been friends for a long time, and he was easily the person I felt most comfortable sharing anything with. Even then, I had been hiding a specific sin in my life for about 3 years, and had avoid talking about it at all cost- even if that meant pitching ridiculous lies. I had confessed this to God and asked for forgiveness, found freedom in doing so- but still I felt so shameful. That night with a heavy heart, I confessed my darkest sin to a great friend. Feeling so ashamed, I looked up and he was also crying. He then confessed his brokenness for not being a bold friend. That night I experienced complete freedom in the presence of confession. I would define freedom as not being bound by anything. This is only possible through the strength of Christ, and in him alone. 

"Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for each other, so that you may be healed." James 5:16

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:19

After discovering that freedom in confession, I have found that it is the only way to live in freedom. We are to not only confess our sins to God, but to our brothers and sisters as well. This is real community, and it is God's desire for his people. Don't get me wrong, it's still not easy to confess super dumb sins that are extremely embarrassing- but it hurts worse to hide. I am so blessed now to have brothers that I can go to at any point and confess, knowing that they will receive me well, show me grace, and commit to covering me in prayer. Not only this, but I have also discovered that it is important to have people in your life that will commit keep you in check, and will honestly and lovingly approach you about sin in your life they see, that has not been made known you. 

"We need a deeper musing upon our perennial knack for disobedience and God’s unbounded habit of mercy.  We need a richer contemplation upon that Life that shows us the way so we may follow “in his steps.”  We need a fuller meditation upon that Death that sets us free.  We need a more profound experience of that Resurrection that empowers us to obey Christ in all things."

                                                  - Richard Foster