About confessing old sins/lying.

[CalmtheChaos]

Ok so I know the Bible says to confess and repent. I've done that for this particular sin years ago. It haunts me however whether I need to confess to my family. I used to do drugs. Meth in particular. I didn't have a hard time quitting though. I couldn't afford it anymore, was afraid I'd end up in jail or dead or homeless, lose my job or my family would find out. I used everyday for several years and just saw too much crazy tweaker crap around me I was over it. No withdrawals or rehab needed, but I did end up moving because I was my dealers best customer. I was the only user he knew who kept a good job, kept my mouth shut and our dealings private. I easily spent a steady $1000 a month (I was using pretty heavily) and he wasn't happy I was quitting so I left the area all together... Anyway it was a huge secret from my family. Years after I quit I found Jesus. I have repented for my past. I'm open about it to whomever like on here now and friends. But if my mom EVER found out I'd be completely outcast from my family. I would basically no longer exist and I've seen that happen with a cousin. I haven't to really need my family now and am living with my mother again after almost 10 years out of state and just a few phone calls here and there. We talk about why I moved, I lie. I know I'm not supposed to lie either, but I'm 40 years old and honestly I don't feel it's her business, let alone something to admit to now and have it ruin my life after all these years. It never affected her in any way, I never took money from her or anything like that. It truly had nothing to do with her. Does God want me to confess an almost 8 year old sin that would ruin my life? But I know lying is a sin too! I'm not that person anymore as well. I'm a new creation! It's eating at me really bad anytime my past is brought up. I'm not sure what to do? I'm not sure what God wants me to do?

 

[Maori Aussie]

My devoutly Christian wife absolutely believes in "White lies", which are told to avoid conflict and dispute.
Sometimes she lets one loose in my hearing.
I give her a quizzical look.
She gives me a shrug and a "it's all for the best" look back.
"These aren't the droids you are looking for".
Between you and me, the most important confession by far, is to yourself.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Ok so I know the Bible says to confess and repent. I've done that for this particular sin years ago. It haunts me however whether I need to confess to my family. I used to do drugs. Meth in particular. I didn't have a hard time quitting though. I couldn't afford it anymore, was afraid I'd end up in jail or dead or homeless, lose my job or my family would find out. I used everyday for several years and just saw too much crazy tweaker crap around me I was over it. No withdrawals or rehab needed, but I did end up moving because I was my dealers best customer. I was the only user he knew who kept a good job, kept my mouth shut and our dealings private. I easily spent a steady $1000 a month (I was using pretty heavily) and he wasn't happy I was quitting so I left the area all together... Anyway it was a huge secret from my family. Years after I quit I found Jesus. I have repented for my past. I'm open about it to whomever like on here now and friends. But if my mom EVER found out I'd be completely outcast from my family. I would basically no longer exist and I've seen that happen with a cousin. I haven't to really need my family now and am living with my mother again after almost 10 years out of state and just a few phone calls here and there. We talk about why I moved, I lie. I know I'm not supposed to lie either, but I'm 40 years old and honestly I don't feel it's her business, let alone something to admit to now and have it ruin my life after all these years. It never affected her in any way, I never took money from her or anything like that. It truly had nothing to do with her. Does God want me to confess an almost 8 year old sin that would ruin my life? But I know lying is a sin too! I'm not that person anymore as well. I'm a new creation! It's eating at me really bad anytime my past is brought up. I'm not sure what to do? I'm not sure what God wants me to do?

Its never a good idea to lie under any circumstances. God wants us to confess and forsake our sin i.e. turn from Pro 28:13. Personally I would sit your mom down and say I have to tell you something. Tell her what you went through and how you have changed. This is all part of being a good witness to the power of the Holy Spirit who can change us. Ask for her forgiveness and give her a chance to surprise you. If its bothering you after ten years, its there for a reason. Get it off your conscious and put it in God's hands. He has the power to change hearts, so give Him that chance with your mom. God bless!

 

[timf]

As long as you can look at yourself in truth and are not continuing in a particular sin, you can let it go. If you still struggle, you need to work on not "feeding the flesh" so you can instead walk by the Spirit. As some get better at seeing themselves and their past in truth, they can become overwhelmed with sorrow for their past sins. The remedy for this is to grow in humility and gratitude for Christ who died for all our sins.

"Confessing" sins to others can sometimes cause distress and harm. The Christian is not called to a life of ritual or the law.

 

[CalmtheChaos]

Its never a good idea to lie under any circumstances. God wants us to confess and forsake our sin i.e. turn from Pro 28:13. Personally I would sit your mom down and say I have to tell you something. Tell her what you went through and how you have changed. This is all part of being a good witness to the power of the Holy Spirit who can change us. Ask for her forgiveness and give her a chance to surprise you. If its bothering you after ten years, its there for a reason. Get it off your conscious and put it in God's hands. He has the power to change hearts, so give Him that chance with your mom. God bless!

If God wants me to tell my mom then I need to find a new place to go with my toddler first. She'll kick me out and the entire family will not be allowed to even acknowledge I or my son ever existed. I left his father because of abuse and he tried to kill me. I wasn't allowed to work so I had no money and nowhere to go. I didn't want my son to deal with any that so I left. That's why I need her right now. I didn't know if that changes anything, but that's why it's been confusing. I felt like God delivered me from that horrific situation only to end up having to go back knowing he WILL kill me someday, still might since I left, or be homeless on the street because there's no shelters where I live and you can't be homeless with a little kid around here so then I'd probably get him taken from me. Why would God let that happen to me? If I've repented hadn't he thrown my sins as far as the east to the west? Is my mother really the one who gets to decide if God's truly forgiven me? Because of I'm not truly forgiven until I tell her, I'm screwed. I'm either going to lose my baby and he'll grow up yet another statistic in the system or go back to his father who will hopefully at least have the sense enough to let me raise our child before he kills me... over a sin I haven't had anything to do with in over 8 years and I'd basically even forgot about until I moved in with her. I just wanted to know what people thought. I got 2 mixed replies so still unsure. And no my mother wouldn't forgive me. If you knew the vile things she says about addicts and what she thinks should happen to them you'd be appalled. Would knowing more change your answer or what you think God wants for me? Or is it really black and white, tell her and suffer out don't and go to hell?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Ok so I know the Bible says to confess and repent. I've done that for this particular sin years ago. It haunts me however whether I need to confess to my family. I used to do drugs. Meth in particular. I didn't have a hard time quitting though. I couldn't afford it anymore, was afraid I'd end up in jail or dead or homeless, lose my job or my family would find out. I used everyday for several years and just saw too much crazy tweaker crap around me I was over it. No withdrawals or rehab needed, but I did end up moving because I was my dealers best customer. I was the only user he knew who kept a good job, kept my mouth shut and our dealings private. I easily spent a steady $1000 a month (I was using pretty heavily) and he wasn't happy I was quitting so I left the area all together... Anyway it was a huge secret from my family. Years after I quit I found Jesus. I have repented for my past. I'm open about it to whomever like on here now and friends. But if my mom EVER found out I'd be completely outcast from my family. I would basically no longer exist and I've seen that happen with a cousin. I haven't to really need my family now and am living with my mother again after almost 10 years out of state and just a few phone calls here and there. We talk about why I moved, I lie. I know I'm not supposed to lie either, but I'm 40 years old and honestly I don't feel it's her business, let alone something to admit to now and have it ruin my life after all these years. It never affected her in any way, I never took money from her or anything like that. It truly had nothing to do with her. Does God want me to confess an almost 8 year old sin that would ruin my life? But I know lying is a sin too! I'm not that person anymore as well. I'm a new creation! It's eating at me really bad anytime my past is brought up. I'm not sure what to do? I'm not sure what God wants me to do?

We have all done things in the past that we are ashamed of or at the very least, uncomfortable with. If this " secret ", ( I would not go as far as saying it is lying), is causing you to stumble , then by all means share your past with your loved ones! It would only prove more to them how the power of His Holy Spirit gave you the strength to overcome. It would be a wonderful testimony and testimony to His Gospel.
Blessings

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

Ok so I know the Bible says to confess and repent. I've done that for this particular sin years ago. It haunts me however whether I need to confess to my family. I used to do drugs. Meth in particular. I didn't have a hard time quitting though. I couldn't afford it anymore, was afraid I'd end up in jail or dead or homeless, lose my job or my family would find out. I used everyday for several years and just saw too much crazy tweaker crap around me I was over it. No withdrawals or rehab needed, but I did end up moving because I was my dealers best customer. I was the only user he knew who kept a good job, kept my mouth shut and our dealings private. I easily spent a steady $1000 a month (I was using pretty heavily) and he wasn't happy I was quitting so I left the area all together... Anyway it was a huge secret from my family. Years after I quit I found Jesus. I have repented for my past. I'm open about it to whomever like on here now and friends. But if my mom EVER found out I'd be completely outcast from my family. I would basically no longer exist and I've seen that happen with a cousin. I haven't to really need my family now and am living with my mother again after almost 10 years out of state and just a few phone calls here and there. We talk about why I moved, I lie. I know I'm not supposed to lie either, but I'm 40 years old and honestly I don't feel it's her business, let alone something to admit to now and have it ruin my life after all these years. It never affected her in any way, I never took money from her or anything like that. It truly had nothing to do with her. Does God want me to confess an almost 8 year old sin that would ruin my life? But I know lying is a sin too! I'm not that person anymore as well. I'm a new creation! It's eating at me really bad anytime my past is brought up. I'm not sure what to do? I'm not sure what God wants me to do?

God forgave you, you need to forgive yourself also, turn the page and forgrt about it. We are supposed to confess to God. what would it serve to tell your Family? Nothing good. Unless they ask you should forget it , it is in your past.

Blessings.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Ok so I know the Bible says to confess and repent...

You are 40. Tell her there are private things about your life that are between you and God. There are things you regret and things you are ashamed of. But it is no use bringing these things back up. It would be foolish to destroy your family and yourself by dragging those things back up. Seriously, what is the point? Everyone has these sorts of things in varying degrees. I know I do. I would let it go unless there is some restitution, such as money or an offence. If people who claim they love you cannot accept that.... I would wonder about what kind of love they are practicing.

 

[Scoutship]

Ok so I know the Bible says to confess and repent. I've done that for this particular sin years ago. It haunts me however...

One of Satans tricks is to dredge up our past unhappy memories and insert feelings of guilt etc into our minds to make us feel bad, so don't give him the satisfaction..
"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland"
(Isaiah 43:18 )

 

[Isabelle30900]

Ok so I know the Bible says to confess and repent. I've done that for this particular sin years ago. It haunts me however whether I need to confess to my family. I used to do drugs. Meth in particular. I didn't have a hard time quitting though. I couldn't afford it anymore, was afraid I'd end up in jail or dead or homeless, lose my job or my family would find out. I used everyday for several years and just saw too much crazy tweaker crap around me I was over it. No withdrawals or rehab needed, but I did end up moving because I was my dealers best customer. I was the only user he knew who kept a good job, kept my mouth shut and our dealings private. I easily spent a steady $1000 a month (I was using pretty heavily) and he wasn't happy I was quitting so I left the area all together... Anyway it was a huge secret from my family. Years after I quit I found Jesus. I have repented for my past. I'm open about it to whomever like on here now and friends. But if my mom EVER found out I'd be completely outcast from my family. I would basically no longer exist and I've seen that happen with a cousin. I haven't to really need my family now and am living with my mother again after almost 10 years out of state and just a few phone calls here and there. We talk about why I moved, I lie. I know I'm not supposed to lie either, but I'm 40 years old and honestly I don't feel it's her business, let alone something to admit to now and have it ruin my life after all these years. It never affected her in any way, I never took money from her or anything like that. It truly had nothing to do with her. Does God want me to confess an almost 8 year old sin that would ruin my life? But I know lying is a sin too! I'm not that person anymore as well. I'm a new creation! It's eating at me really bad anytime my past is brought up. I'm not sure what to do? I'm not sure what God wants me to do?

When something is eating at you, it’s because the Spirit is there, pointing at something. When you confess and repent you don’t need to deal over it again. God has forgotten about it, it’s erased. You have to do the same and trust Him. So, you left that place where your drug dealer was and you went to your mom s, ok. You could have moved somewhere else, right? But you chose to go back to her because you love her, you feel safe with her. You re with her for a reason. Read the Bible with her, show her love. Maybe she needs to grow as you need to. So focus on God and He ll answer your questions, your hesitations! Don’t feel guilty. It doesn’t come from Him. God bless you and your mom!

 

[RamiC]

Does God want me to confess an almost 8 year old sin that would ruin my life? But I know lying is a sin too! I'm not that person anymore as well. I'm a new creation! It's eating at me really bad anytime my past is brought up. I'm not sure what to do? I'm not sure what God wants me to do?

If you confess it to God....and maybe another human being....any other human being, you have confessed the sin.

You can stay safe, you should certainly keep your child safe, you do not have to confess to any specific person.

for you.

 

[Scoutship]

I'm an ex-convict (3-month vigilante rap in 2022) all I did was tip off the police about a nearby black drug gang who were selling drugs to schoolkids but the cops did nothing to stop it., then the dealers claimed I was 'harassing' them by watching their activities, so the cops swung smoothly into action and arrested ME, you couldn't make it up !
Do I feel remorse and should ask God's forgiveness?- Not on your nelly..
Below: Leicester Prison (England) where I was a "guest" for 3 months-