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Memory Verse With Explanation

Scripture:James 5:16 NIV‬
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

When i first read this scripture in 2021 i thought God wanted me to run off to my friends and tell them every bad thing that i did or I'd done to hurt them or someone else in my entire life.. And my! You guessed right i acted upon my puny thinking *sobs* 
I used this scripture as an excuse to vent to all and sundry, with the hope that I'd be free afterwards. I only ended up exposing what i ought to have kept a secret to people who went and ratted me out. 
I did learn,but i learnt the hard way.
Now what does James 5:16 truly mean?
What has the Holy Spirit to say about this scripture? Let's unpack this shall we?

In ancient times, the early church had a tightly knitted community where they broke bread together frequently. 
They didn't have physically erected structures called church buildings like we do today, they only had access to fellow members houses. This was were they met and held services. 
As a result of this, their circle was really small and very intimate seeing as they were in hiding most of the time, they barely had much space or edicts to endorse large gatherings lest they be considered rebels. 

They didn't have social media and cell phones or simply put technology like we do today which aids the spread of news if you know what i mean *wink*
So in their time speaking to their leaders who they believed was more experienced than they themselves was very advisable. 
As a leader one code of conduct you swear by is secrecy. Not much Leaders do it these days, If you're lucky your gist would be used as a reference for next Sunday's sermon.(If you know you know). If you're not so lucky, it stays between their circle of friends and family, or between Counselling walls. *pun intended* 
So applying this scripture the way they did in the past isn't applicable to modern times. 
How then does this apply to us?

Ever heard the term "a problem shared is a problem solved"? That's what today's verse is about.
This scripture speaks largely about Vulnerability with one another. Being able to open up about our flaws and shortcomings as regards our walk with Christ or other areas that burdens us.
As humans we can't bear all the burdens ourselves, we do need a friend or a relative with "GODLY WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING" to share our problems with.. 
Could be your spouse, your Parent, your Friend, Mentor or whoever you're sure you can trust to keep your secret safe and give good counsel if need be. 
The symbolism of prayer in the text is "WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT". It is necessary to avoid people who gaslights or flatters you should you intend putting this scripture into practice.

The Holy Spirit urges us to declutter every now and then before Him and should you need someone else to talk to, seeing as God doesn't communicate like we humans do,He is more than willing to point you to someone who you can share it with. Someone more advanced in conversing with God than you are. 
It is advisable for you to be extremely discerning about who pours into you these days, and God is here to partner with you anytime any day.
Shalom!!
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