“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1:8-9 NIV – UK)
Do we need to confess our sins to God?
I looked at several versions of 1 John 1: 8-9.
In half of the versions (e.g. NAS, KJV, ESV, etc.), verse 9 is worded:
“If we confess our sins,”
In half of the versions (e.g. NLT, CEV, Good News, etc.), verse 9 is worded:
“If we confess our sins to God,”
Do we need to confess our sins?
When we follow the “Rules of Life” that are defined in the Bible, we will have a happy, healthy life.
When we break one of the “Rules of Life”, then we’ve committed a sin, and we start to slide down the slippery slope to a horrible life.
We must admit to ourselves (i.e. confess) that we have sinned–”Oops! I screwed up!“–to stop the slide.
Does God really forgive our sins?
I’ve done some rather bad things in my life. ( . . . and, NO, I will not describe them on this website for your reading pleasure 
)
Although God and I have serious disagreements right now on other topics, I **know** that God has forgiven my sins.
Sometimes, when I have God backed into a corner (click here to read), God will remind me about one of my old sins–it’s just a lame attempt by God to turn the tables on me.
Ultimately, I am certain that on “Judgment Day”, God will not punish me for the sins I have admitted.
