John 3:16-17
At
times, people are bound by guilt long after the feeling should have
been resolved. Some rightly live with it because they refuse to give up
the sin that brought it on. Meanwhile, others suffer the weight of false
guilt because they harbor shame that doesn't belong to them. Whatever
the root cause of your condemnation,
the battle plan remains the same.
Victory
over guilt begins with understanding that Jesus took our shame to the
cross and paid our penalty. There is no way that we can pay for our own
sin. But we do need to honestly identify the source of our guilt and
confess before God. That means we agree with His perspective on what
we've done. In other words, we admit when we're wrong. Repentance goes a
step further: we turn away from the wrong and choose to do right.
Confronting
guilt in this way replaces the weight of shame in our heart with peace
and joy, which are far lighter and more
freeing. And an amazing side effect is that we have wisdom to share.
Openness about
our past mistakes, resulting consequences, guilt burdens, and
forgiveness can reveal the Lord to those in our sphere of influence.
Through our witness, God may reach others who need their guilt chains
broken.
The
battle to overcome guilt is one that should not be delayed. The feeling
won't just go away. Whether your condemnation is true or false, it
needs to be dealt with quickly. Stop running, and face the source of
your guilt. It's time to end your captivity and start walking in the joy
of God's blessing.