The dictionary defines guilt as a feeling of self reproach from believing that one has done a wrong. The thesaurus dictionary has such words as doom, damn, pass sentence on, seal the doom of, find guilty as synonyms of condemnation.
It is noteworthy that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not that of condemnation to believers: “He who believes in Him is not condemned, but He who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:18). Jesus was condemned on the cross so that sinners who put their trust and hope in Him will be justified and acquitted by God. It is true that many born again believers live in guilt and condemnation today.
Guilt and condemnation make victims of men resulting in a state of unworthiness before God. It makes a coward out of its victim. It produces a feeling of unforgiveness in its victim which in turn makes the fellow unable to receive the forgiveness of God. It also places a spiritual burden on its victim, weighs him / her down and keeps its victim in a condition of helplessness before God. Guilt and condemnation stops the genuine and sincere worship of God and nullifies faith and confidence in God. It also opens the door to further sins like unforgiveness, bitterness, immorality, etc. The victim feels since I’m already condemned then I may as well continue to indulge the flesh more. There is no motivation for right living. Guilt holds its victim hostage.
It is essential to emphasize here that guilt and condemnation comes from a guilty conscience and also from the devil that is called the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). It is also as a result of persistent failures and repeated sins in the life of a believer. It is also necessary to emphasise that the Holy Spirit of God never condemns but convicts. While condemnation focuses on the sin and wrong doing, conviction seeks to show the believer the way out of the problem via repentance, the destructive consequence of the sin, the blood of Jesus, the mercy and grace of God. And when the Holy Spirit succeeds in convicting the wrong doer to repent, the voice of accusation continues to loom loud and clear plunging the believer into guilt. Below are ways that guilt and condemnation can be dealt with:
1. Submit to Jesus: He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29, 35). Jesus was condemned on the cross by the wrath of God because the whole sin of mankind was placed on Him. Jesus was condemned so that whoever believes in Him will be acquitted and justified as seen by the example of the thief on His right hand on the day of His crucifixion (Luke 23:39-43). Receive Christ as Lord and Savior in order to be free from condemnation.
2. Confess your sins to God: “If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9). It is noteworthy to state that this scripture was written to Christians and not non believers. Confession of sins is intended by God to ease the conscience of the believer, lighten his / her burdens and free him so as to continue to enjoy fellowship with God.
3. Confess your sins to another: In the case of repeated sinful practices or in the occasion where the sin is against another believer, the wrong-doer should confess the faults to another believer that is more mature and stable that could hold him accountable. Sin thrives in darkness and in secrecy, but once it is brought to the open, it is nipped in the bud. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16a). Healing comes from the counsel and agreement prayer of a fellow mature believer. Ensure the person you are confessing to is mature enough to handle the gravity of the sin.
4. Have faith in the blood of Jesus: One of the many roles of the blood of Jesus is that it has the power to cleanse a guilty conscience. Under the Old Testament, the blood of bulls and goats were temporarily covering sins and justifying the wrong doer before God. “…….. how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14). The blood of Jesus was shed for the remission of sins.
5. Go and sin no more: The best antidote against guilt and condemnation remains a sinless, right living and obedient lifestyle before God. Righteous living is our worship to God. We are to present our bodies, minds, faculties and hearts to God as living sacrifices. Jesus told the adulterous woman after acquitting her to go and sin no more. The power of God is released by the Holy Spirit within us, and as we yield to the Spirit we gain the upper hand over the flesh and all its lusts (Galatians 5:16).
CONCLUSION: Refuse to remain in the dark valley of guilt and condemnation. Come out of the valley by focusing on the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.There is no sin grievous that is more than the blood of Jesus. Have a blessed new month.
Ade(Gboyega) ESAN
www.rccgpittsburgh.net
http://gboyegae.blogspot.com
