The New Testament Greek word “katharos” is translated “pure” in the sixth beatitude, which in the King James Version reads “Blessed are the pure in heart.” “Katharos” refers to a purity that results from an inner cleansing which comes through heartfelt confession.
The word is found many times in the New Testament. The English words “catharsis” and “cathartic”, meaning purging, cleansing, are derived from this ancient word. The Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that artistic performances which caused “highs” and “lows” in audiences were useful in relieving them of unhealthy, bottled-up emotions. Such performances are today known as tear-jerkers.
But an open confession of sin or a crime is known as “a cathartic confession” — a self-confessed one that cleanses the guilty person from a hidden wrong. The Bible teaches that such confessions are good for the soul. Knowing your heart is clean is more important than knowing your body is clean, because hidden guilt can be as damaging to the soul as uncleanness is to the body.
“Confess your faults to one another,” writes the Apostle James, “and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Hidden sins are best confessed to one who will never repeat them to others. When secret sins are confessed, physical or mental healing often follows.
Forgiveness and healing go together in the Bible. A healing that has long been sought after without result might well take place after a personal wrong has been righted. Having put it right, the person will not only feel better but will also find relief from the burden of guilt that went with it.
So, if you have such a sin, ask God to forgive you for the sake of Jesus, who died to save you from it (and every other sin). Then do all you can to right any personal wrongs that trouble your conscience — you’ll be the better for having done so, and a damaged personal relationship may well be restored.
God wants you well in every way, and healing through forgiveness is only a prayer away.