Confession of Sins

I acknowledged my sin to You, 

And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, 
"I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; 

And You forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalm 32:5

A first path of repentance is the condemnation of your own sins: be the first to admit your sins and you will be justified. For this reason, too, the prophet wrote: I said: I will accuse myself of my sins to the Lord and you forgave the weakness of my heart. Therefore, you too should condemn your own sins; that will be enough reason for the Lord to forgive you, for a man who condemns his own sins is slower to commit them again. Rouse your conscience to accuse you within your own house, lest it become your accuser before the judgment seat of the Lord.

-- St. John Chrysostom