The Daily:Feeling Guilty

[yort]

1 John 3:4 - 'Those who sin are opposed to the law of God,

for all sin opposes*the law of God.'
*

The consequence to sin is death according to the word. We may feel we are*getting away with certain things, but are we really? When we continue in*sin or continue making crazy mistakes, we keep ourselves out of God's*presence. Not that God leaves us, but our sin pushes him away in our own*minds and hearts. When we welcome sin or the same stupid mistakes then we*hurt our relationship with God because we feel guilty or shamed before him.*Even after we ask for forgiveness, there is a feeling of remorse and regret*that comes when we really stand in his presence.
*
I know a lot of preachers preach that no matter what we do, we should be*able to come before God with boldness and confidence. Just ask for*forgiveness and come boldly before God. Well, that is true, but what about*the feelings of shame and guilt? I know that we don't have to feel that*way, but when you hurt someone, shouldn't you feel guilty? Shouldn't there*be a level of guilt that comes with that even after you have repented to*them? Well, if you have a true relationship with God, there will be a*certain level of guilt and shame when you turn your back on him and go for*sin instead of his righteousness. It hurts him, even though he does*forgive. But that is the difference between being a hearer of his word and*a doer of his word. Hearers have no relationship. They live good and try*to quote the bible and read the bible, but don't really commune with God on*a personal level. So, sin can become a regular practice because they are*not intimate with God. But the doer knows the voice of God and walks*according to his commands. And when the doer sins, he feels bad because he*knows that God is grieved by it. So, it is impossible to practice sin on a*daily basis for the doer. Don't feel bad because you still feel a level*of guilt even after you have been forgiven. Just know in your heart that*God has forgiven you and try not to do it again. And rejoice that you are*close enough to God to feel his hurt and disappointment. When there is no*guilt at all, that's when it's time to worry.
*
(Suggested Reading: James 1:15, 1Pet. 4:1, 1John 2:1, 1John 3:1-10)

 

[sunshineaaks]

1 John 3:4 - 'Those who sin are opposed to the law of God,

for all sin opposes*the law of God.'
*

The consequence to sin is death according to the word. We may feel we are*getting away with certain things, but are we really? When we continue in*sin or continue making crazy mistakes, we keep ourselves out of God's*presence. Not that God leaves us, but our sin pushes him away in our own*minds and hearts. When we welcome sin or the same stupid mistakes then we*hurt our relationship with God because we feel guilty or shamed before him.*Even after we ask for forgiveness, there is a feeling of remorse and regret*that comes when we really stand in his presence.
*
I know a lot of preachers preach that no matter what we do, we should be*able to come before God with boldness and confidence. Just ask for*forgiveness and come boldly before God. Well, that is true, but what about*the feelings of shame and guilt? I know that we don't have to feel that*way, but when you hurt someone, shouldn't you feel guilty? Shouldn't there*be a level of guilt that comes with that even after you have repented to*them? Well, if you have a true relationship with God, there will be a*certain level of guilt and shame when you turn your back on him and go for*sin instead of his righteousness. It hurts him, even though he does*forgive. But that is the difference between being a hearer of his word and*a doer of his word. Hearers have no relationship. They live good and try*to quote the bible and read the bible, but don't really commune with God on*a personal level. So, sin can become a regular practice because they are*not intimate with God. But the doer knows the voice of God and walks*according to his commands. And when the doer sins, he feels bad because he*knows that God is grieved by it. So, it is impossible to practice sin on a*daily basis for the doer. Don't feel bad because you still feel a level*of guilt even after you have been forgiven. Just know in your heart that*God has forgiven you and try not to do it again. And rejoice that you are*close enough to God to feel his hurt and disappointment. When there is no*guilt at all, that's when it's time to worry.
*
(Suggested Reading: James 1:15, 1Pet. 4:1, 1John 2:1, 1John 3:1-10)

Excellent, yort, and if I may add to what you have already said about guilt, repentance and a maybe a renewed relationship with Christ.

When we hurt someone, yes, we should feel the shame and guilt that goes along with a repentance. We were wrong. This would be called the 'good' kind of guilt and shame that makes a person not want to do the same thing that caused these feelings. A positive guilt and shame that fades with time as corrections are made. (The negative kind is where we didn't do anything wrong and the guilt and shame is not ours to hold... but that would be another thread)

Now, if forgiveness from God is given and the person as already turned from such bad behavor and STILL seems to feel that same guilt and shame, where might that be coming from? Satan is not above wanting the Christian to wallow in this kind of sorrow and pain. He will constantsly bring up what brought shame, pointing out how horrid we are and how could God forgive such a thing.

During these times, the Christian who as truly repented and has given their life over to Christ to live as God demands, can then praise God for the forgiveness, the strength to continue living as He commands and then thank God for forgiving such a sinner as he/she is and cleansing them. Something that Satan dreads to hear from a believer. With the constant praise instead of Satan's intended wallowing filling the air ways; the constant remeinders will become less and less. In other words, the less Satan has to hear of praise and thanksgiving from some mere Christian, the better off he feels.

Believe me I know. The best part is that change and correction is continual AND clearer once shame, guilt, reminders, repentance, forgiveness, living as He commands, and praise with thanksgiving is build.

This also not only goes for those we as a Christian have hurt or brought pain into their lives but also to those we may vow never to forgive for what THEY have done to us.

Take for example, the murderer of our loved one or friend. One of the most horrendous sins of mankind to take the life of another.

I vowed never to forgive the man who killed my brother, but in doing so I distanced my life from Christ in so many ways. Yes, He was still with me but the relationship was not there. How could He comfort someone so bitter? Someone who refused to let go of the bitter hatred that kept her captive? He could listen to my pain but the relationship would not allow for His comfort.

The unforgiving servant became quite clear to me after four bitter, hate fullled year while He opened my eyes to truth... I had been forgiven my sin, just as the servant who went to the King had been forgiven. I was, however, given over to my tormentors (Depression, hatred, bitterness, resentment etc) until I was obedient in forgiving my debtors.

This was not over night and there were a few, ok many, steps to get to where I could and do to this day pray for this man's salvation and well being. I first had to come to God asking Him and some days begging Him to forgive MY hatred of this man and to please forgive him until I was able to. Each time this man's name came to mind (every day for a long time) this was my main prayer.

Soon, the prayer changed to where I was thanking God for the forgiveness He brought to me through obedience and that I now forgive this man and pray for his salvation. There are still a few days of bitterness when I think of the person I miss so much, but I thank God those days are so few and far between the others where continued prayer stands for a man in much need of Christ.

I hope that helps a little more. I tend to write too much sometimes.

God bless always