The Habit of Confession

In a world full of lies, pride, and image control, there is a powerful alternative that is as counter-cultural as it gets. Confession, said Michel Foucault, is when we "go on record against ourselves."

The sermon today is titled "The Habit of Confession." It is the nineteenth installment in our series "Follow Me", and the sixth in the sub-series "Spiritual Habits." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 32:1-7 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 27, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Jean-Paul Sarte introduction and several key points from Tim Keller, "Confession." Sermon (May 12, 2002).
• Michel Foucault quote from Os Guinness, "True Truth" (2014).
• AA description from Philip Yancey, Church: Why Bother?

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro Highlight: We Cover Up
• 0:56 Psalm 32
• 2:30 We Long To Be Covered
• 9:51 It Was The Getting Away With It Part I Couldn't Live With
• 12:26 Going on Record Against Ourselves
• 13:28 Confession in Church VS AA
• 19:44 Confession and Exposure Leads To Forgiveness
• 24:51 Confession and Exposure Leads To Understanding
• 26:51 Confession and Exposure Leads To Power
• 28:55 Confession and Exposure Leads To Self-Forgiveness
• 31:20 Confession and Exposure Leads To Recognizing The Gravity of Our Sin
• 35:17 The Basis Is The Cross