Dealing with guilt

Guilt is an in-built tendency with an intended purpose of creating godly sorrow leading to repentance. It is erroneously often accepted as a consequence of failure to attain right-standing with God. Guilt is only mentioned only a few times in the Bible where it is mostly associated with unlawful shedding of blood. Some eccentric believers,  “overly supersensitive” to sin fall into the trap of being deeply buried in guilt from previous offenses or commitments. The ultimate outcome is that the victim becomes vulnerable to circumstantial abuses; believing that they are being meted to him/her as a result of past actions. This attribute has barred a lot of people from accepting forgiveness as well as the graces of God. They resort to the practice of self-deprivations (e.g. penance, giving of alms) as a way to gratify their consciences. Guilt gives birth to depression, its attendant loss of enthusiasm or life. We need joy to take over from guilt in order to prosper. 

Text: Psalms 51:1-14

1              What reasons might there be for one to feel guilty?

Exod 20:7; Deut 21:9,13; John 8:9; 1Cor 8:7
           Discuss these verses on the effect of guilt.

2 Sam 13:14-20, Duet 21:9,13. What are other contemporary consequences?

2              Developing a guilt-less lifestyle.

1Pet 2:24, Acts 24:16, 2Tim 1:3, Titus 1:15, Heb 9:14; 10:22, Col 2:13-16, 1Tim 2:8

3              The allegory of remarriage

Rom 7:1-4

Guilt is a loophole that deprives us from accessing the things we qualify for. Purge yourself from it, obtain a clear conscience and move boldly towards your vision.