Let's review the text to which you refer in its context. I have found the New King James version of the Bible to be most accurate regarding this verse.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.In verse fifteen, the word sin is translated from the Greek word "harmatia." This word means "to sin." It covers any type of sin.
And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
(James 5:14-16 NKJV)
In verse sixteen, the word trespass (sin in many translations) is translated from the Greek word "paratoma." This word is always referring to a trespass that a person commits that offends or affects another person in a negative way. These two words can be seen in the same verse in Ephesians 2:1.
In James 5:15, we are being told that any sin we have committed will be forgiven when we are anointed with oil. In verse 16, we are being told to confess our trespasses, if we have sinned against each other, and then pray for each other to be healed.
I believe many Christians can't receive healing because of harboring unforgiveness. This verse is telling us to deal with unforgiveness. I don't believe it is a good practice to confess any sin to just anyone. If you have harmed a person by your sin, then this verse says to repent and confess it to them.
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