Guilt

When we experience the feeling of guilt, this is one of God’s ways he may use to warn us that something is not quite right in our life. We may be feeling this because we need to repent and turn away from a sin in our life so God can cleanse and forgive us. With repentance, comes the fresh presence of the Holy Spirit assuring us we are quilt-free.

If you are guilty of doing something wrong, or not stating the facts quite clearly in a given situation, or even perhaps you have broken God’s law; you can receive mercy and forgiveness by accepting salvation and forgiveness offered though Christ Jesus. (1Timothy 1:13-16). If you are a born-again Christian and you are experiencing some feeling of guilt, it may be conviction from the Holy Spirit to lead you to repentance.

You may also be feeling shame because of something that was done that makes you feel somewhat guilty. Perhaps you are blaming yourself for something that has or has not happened and you feel responsible. In any of these cases, there is hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

What Scripture Says

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14).

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8,9).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord… That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart ones believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation” (Romans 6:23; 10:9-10).

What to do when experiencing GUILT

If you have accepted Jesus as Lord by asking Him to come into your heart then you have assurance of your salvation. Some try to cover guilt or bring resolve by doing things out of false guilt. Some have never actually forgiven themselves even after asking God to forgive them. Repentance means to turn away from the sin (to resolve to reform). Make restitution where you are able if at all possible. When you have truly repented, you will experience the freshness of being cleansed in your heart…like a heavy burden has been lifted. There is freedom from condemnation when you are in Christ (Romans 8:1).

If you have said or done something that makes you feel guilty, do not harbor old hurts or unforgiveness in your heart. Do not seek vengeance or do anything out of spite for which you will feel guilty later. Instead, go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you forgive those who have wronged you or those you have wronged. Ask the Lord to forgive those who have wronged you and bless them. It is important to ask God to reveal the hidden truth to you in the situation as you may not be seeing clearly due to being in the middle of the situation. The enemy tries to get us to complain and be negative so we remain in our circumstances.

Ask God to help you see the person through His eyes, to feel with His heart, and to hear with His ears so you may walk in unconditional love in resolving the conflict. If possible, tell the person who wronged you that you forgive them. Feelings of guilt and shame as a result of verbal, mental, physical or sexual abuse you may have suffered are not a result of sin you have committed, but rather a feeling of loss and a sense of hopelessness or powerlessness in the situation. Sometimes people repeatedly are drawn to abusers thinking this is normal having experienced it before. (See Familiar spirits/soul ties for further understanding)

You may need healing from the abuse or trauma you have experienced. It may be necessary to seek out professional Christian counseling to help you walk through the healing process and resolve the confusion and pain.

God wants you free from anything that would block or hinder you from experiencing abundant life in Him. Christ completed the work on the cross and has taken your guilt upon Himself. You are free from guilt and condemnation the moment you believe in your heart and confess it with your own mouth.

Recommended Prayer

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask you to forgive me for every sin I have ever committed. I believe I receive Jesus Christ’s joy in my life right now.

…As you begin to praise God and thank Him for forgiving you, release your burden of guilt to God. Also pray for anyone else who may have been involved in the situation as well. If the Lord brings someone to your heart at a later date, begin to intercede for them as well. Ask the Lord to protect and bless them.

Scriptures recommended:

Philippians 3:13-14 The prize of God’s high calling

1 John 1:7-9 The light of God’s Word dispels darkness

John 1:12, 5:24; 8:36 Belief in Christ has the power to deliver us from sin

Romans 6:18,22; 8:1 Freedom from sin and guilt

Colossians 2:13-22 Assurance of salvation

Isaiah 1:18 Sins are cleansed

Psalm 103:12 Sins completely removed

Jeremiah 31:34;
Hebrews 8:12 God forgets our sin

Recommended Reading:

Total Forgiveness by R. T. Kendall

Brokenness by Mickey Bonner

We at Star National Outreach Worldwide, Inc. are thankful for the opportunity to assist in your growth in the Lord Jesus Christ. God loves you and we love you!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.