Doves On Distant Oaks

Feelings of Guilt

You've probably heard it said that "the Christian army is the only army that shoots its wounded." For some, this may be true. Sometimes we take Paul's admonition to Timothy about correcting behavior in others a little too far. Often we tend to focus more on the rebuke than the encouragement. Correction is not a bad thing, but if not done with kindness and patience, it can actually drive people away from the Church. It often has.

That said, we are just as hard on ourselves as on others. We become overcome by guilt to such an extent that it affects our walk with God. It was even taken to such extremes in the 13th century that a group of Roman Catholics called themselves the Flaggellants and practiced physical self-flagellation. While the practice today is rare, it still exists in some parts of the world. Finding more appropriate ways to overcome feelings of guilt is important to our growth.

For a while I was on staff of our church's recovery group. I shared with those trying to abandon their addiction to alcohol and drug use by giving my personal testimony of how God reached down and completely removed my desire for alcohol. However, many of the men in our group struggled daily with it. One gentleman in particular would swing back and forth. He was wracked with guilt over his past abuses to such an extent that it would affect the progress he was making and so would fall back into his addiction. Some would say his guilt was a just punishment, but when it interferes with our trust in God, it is not the work of the Holy Spirit.

There is a difference between condemnation and correction. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of wrong doing, it does so quietly, albeit insistently. The Holy Spirit's aim is not to overburden us with feelings of guilt, but simply to remind us of our need to obey God. If you're feeling heavy doses of guilt, its not the Holy Spirit, but Satan, the accuser. His sole purpose is too make us feel so guilty and unworthy that we turn away from God, thinking we are not worthy to stand in his presence. Of course we are not, who is? However, when we are covered by the blood of Christ, we can.

That's not to say we shouldn't correct our behavior and seek redemption for our wrongdoing. To focus on how bad we are, however, is the work of Satan. Focusing on how to improve is the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember, it's not our job to convict people of wrongdoing, only to bring it to their attention. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit, something we would do well to remember when we think of our own failures as well. After all, even Jesus said he came into the world not to condemn it, but to save it.

When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

– Psalm 32:3-5

Keywords: Confession, Spirit, Redemption, Transgressions, Sin, Guilt

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