If we have been the cause of an offense or made a mistake that offended someone, we must confess honestly and thoroughly, accepting personal responsibility for our own errors. Below are the Seven A’s of Confession:

1. A ddress everyone involved. “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
2. A void ‘if,’ ‘but,’ and ‘maybe.’ Don’t make excuses; “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son’” (Luke 15:21).
3. A dmit specifically. That goes for both attitudes and actions. The more specific you are the more acceptable the apology.
4. A pologize. Expressing sorrow for the way you offended someone will add to the sincerity of the apology.
5. A ccept the consequences and make restitution if necessary. “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount’” (Luke 19:8).
6. A lter your behavior. Make a commitment to changing harmful behavior or habits (see Ephesians 4:22-32).
7. A sk for forgiveness. Sometimes that means allowing the offended person time to forgive.