My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not, and if any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteousness: and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world – 1st John 2:1-2

The Apostle John  was writing to believers who had sinned and was feeling guilty and condemned. He was offering them reassurance. They knew they had sinned, and most likely had confessed their sin and repented; but Satan, the accuser of the brother was tormenting them with guilt and shame.

There is a difference between confession and repentance. Confession is acknowledging the sin, and repentance is regretting or having remorse over the thought or action. Repentance is also a complete change of heart of continuing in sin. Advocate is a legal term for one who intercedes for another. Jesus is our Advocate. He’s before the Father twenty-four hours / seven days a week advocating for the believer. This doesn’t give us the privilege to continue in sin, but if and when we stumble, He’s there to reconcile us back to the Father.

Sometimes as Christians we will stumble. Sometimes we will get ourselves in situations that could have been avoided if only we would have considered an alternative. However, we didn’t, and now we’re tormented about what we did or should have done. The thing to do is confess, repent and continue with our life. Increase our submission to God and His word, and He will lead and guide us rather than our emotions and will.