Godly Guilt

Guilt is something we all deal with. There are many ways that guilt can show itself; some people overeat or start drinking, some take up other habits to dull their minds or keep themselves busy, while others become overachievers to compensate for what they have done. Often times, we don't even realize that it is guilt that drives us, we just feel we "need" to do or have something. Before coming to God this is what we call "conviction of sin", it is one of the jobs of the Holy Spirit. But what about Christians who feel guilty?

Well, lets take a look at that. Christians are saved sinners, plainly stated. So as saved people we don't sin anymore and have no reason to feel guilty, because we are now 100% perfect, right? WRONG. We fail and fall far too often. This stumbling causes some to doubt their very salvation in the first place. What kind of saved person would still sin?

It seems we have perhaps over-simplified the concept of Salvation. As people, we have three elements to our existence: body, soul, and spirit. Our spirit is saved in the act and moment of Salvation, that part is plain and simple. This Salvation brings us before God as righteous due to Christ's Gift. Theologians call this Justification. Our bodies are not saved at that moment; nor will they be until the day that we receive our new bodies at Christ's Second Coming. This causes us some difficulties here on earth, but in Heaven we will have perfect bodies that submit to our soul and spirit.

But what of our soul's salvation? Our soul, the part of you that makes you well you, is not saved at this moment. Our personality is still of a fallen nature. That is why we have angry Christians, and Christians who struggle with addictions and other issues. As long as we try to keep our personality compartmentalized (e.g. our "Christian part" and our "me time part") we will struggle with these sins. God works through His Spirit to change our soul, our personality, to fit His.(the Theological term for this is Justification) This is why Jesus said being angry with your brother (or sister) is as wrong as murder. The soul is still in bondage, it is enslaved. We must come before God, even after becoming Christians, and allow Him to change our soul. This is called "conviction of righteousness" and it is also in the Holy Spirit's job description.

So how does this affect guilt? Well, if we assume that we are talking about Christians, (people who have heeded God's call and come to Him for repentance, realizing they can never save themselves) we would have to ask a simple question. Is this a sin that you have come before God and repented of, asking Him to help change your soul? If you haven't, then the problem is quite simple. You need to yield to God, ask Him for forgiveness and strength to change, and then live accordingly.

But what if I already did that and I still feel guilty? Then hold up. If you have truly come to God with it and have addressed the issue and turned from it but still feel guilty, remember one thing. God will NEVER convict you of a sin that you have already resolved with Him.

"As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." 
-Psalm 103:12

God does not promise anything in vain. He will never bring that sin up again. If you are indeed feeling guilty about such a sin, just remember it is not God who is convicting you. When this happens, pray to God, call out and thank Him for His forgiveness, His Word, and His Truth. Then ask Him for His Peace as you remember that this form of guilt does not come from God. In these times remember that the devil is defeated, crushed by Christ, and that the devil has no power over you that you do not give to him. He is a professional liar and cheat, he'll take all the credit you give him, but remember that this is only an illusion. He has no power over you. Praise God, and stand firm against the wiles of the devil.

On the flip side of this coin, however, is the guilt that DOES come from God. What is the difference? God will only convict you of sin that you commit that you do not resolve. By resolve, I mean to repent, and have Him help you change your ways, your soul, if you will. Keep in mind, God does not change, will not change, nor will His definition of sin or of righteousness. His conviction will not change, only our sensitivity to it. So when it is indeed from God that your conviction comes, remember that Christ's example was of perfect obedience to the Father, and we should always strive to follow that example.

CONCLUSION

So when dealing with guilt just do a quick check. Have I brought this before God? Am I trying to hide this? Am I still indulging my self in this? If so, repent. If it is something that you have already brought to God, then rejoice that He isn't the one convicting you. Praise Him, and go before Him in prayer and gratitude. This is the best way to deal with false guilt. In fact, this is the best way to exist.