Dealing with False Guilt

1st John 3:19-20 — And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

For some

Christians, guilt has become an accepted way of life. When they pray, they feel overwhelmed by a sense of guilt and shame. Every time a service opportunity comes along, they feel unworthy for God to use them. Such people tend to live a frustrated Christian life because they focus on their guilt instead of Christ’s forgiveness. This is called false guilt. It is false because it's never from God.

God is never the author of guilt and shame. He does not have it in His nature and therefore can not give it out! False guilt is Satan’s tool to keep those who do not understand the word of God beaten down and ashamed.

When a person feels guilty, but there is nothing he/she can do about it, it’s false guilt. When they confess their sin, but still feel guilty and condemned, it’s false guilt. Beloved, beware of Satan's antics. He uses false guilt to make you feel ashamed and condemned. You can’t move forward in your walk with the Lord Jesus because your false guilt is always before you. He keeps showing you images of the sin and fault and tells you of how angry God is with you! The truth is God's anger towards you ended on the Body of the Lord Jesus on the cross! He is not angry with you today. Romans 5:9 says;

"Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God" (Amp).

This isn't just a future promise but a present day reality. This is why he said "we are NOW justified"! God desires for you to live a guilt-free life by the power of the Holy Spirit. Learn to repent, receive forgiveness, and move forward in your Christian life. The blood of Jesus has cleansed you forever and there is no room for guilt and condemnation.

Remember that as long as we live on earth, we can only aim at perfection. If you focus on guilt, the devil will see to it that you keep stumbling and faltering in your Christian walk. so as to keep your focus on yourself and shortcomings. Instead of focusing on guilt, focus on the forgiveness that the Lord offered you. Focus on His gift of righteousness to you. Say to yourself, "there is therefore now no condemnation to me in Christ"!

Hallelujah!

(I have culled this message from Charis Family Church Devotional and used it with permission from the Senior Pastor, Pastor Amos Austine Adoghe).