Where to turn when I’m... FEELING GUILTY
Guilt is not a pleasant feeling. It gnaws away at our consciences, our relationships with others, and can taint every experience in life. Yet, it can also be a gift from God. We are guilty sinners before a holy God, and we continuously sin against him and against others. Our guilt is a guide, but like the rest of our humanity, it is broken. If we don’t use it as a compass to bring us back to the cross, it becomes a burden too heavy for us to bear, and a stick with which the Devil can beat us. So, what does the Bible say about our guilt and how to deal with it constructively?
Recognise the extent of our disobedience and wrongdoing, and that it renders us guilty before the LORD
Leviticus 5 v 17 - If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible.
Number 5 v 5-7 - The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged.
James 2 v 10: For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
2. Godly sorrow and guilt brings us to repentance
2 Corinthians 7 v 10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
3. Confess your sin and guilt before the LORD
Psalm 32 v 5 - Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
4. Go to those we have wronged and make amends
Matthew 5 v 23-24 - “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
5. In Christ, our guilt and shame are removed
Romans 8 v 1 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
1 John 1 v 9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
6. Contemplate just how far God removes the stain of our sins
Psalm 103 v 12 - as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 43 v 25 - I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Micah 7 v 19 - You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
7. Draw close to God in full assurance of his cleansing
Hebrews 10 v 22 - let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
8. Rejoice in the blessing that comes from this forgiveness
Psalm 32 v 1-2 - Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
9. Living as God’s people, be loving, humble, and ready to forgive
Colossians 3 v 12-14 - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
