Everyone battles guilt at some level, “Am I being a good parent? Am I being a good spouse?” Just measure your reaction as you see a police car in your rear view mirror. There are all kinds of things that we feel remorse or guilty over. Some things we can change. If we have wounded someone we can ask for his or her forgiveness. If we have done some damage we can make reparations. If we have failed in some way to be the parent or spouse we need to be we can get advice and help from others to learn how to become the better parent or spouse.
Guilt is one of the tools the enemy uses in out lives to draw us away from God. It poisons are very soul and can grow to the point of killing our relationship with God. God does not use guilt as a tool. When we sin, the Holy Spirit brings conviction not condemnation. Condemnation (guilt) drives us away from God. Conviction is used by God to draw us to his mercy, grace, and love. It is through God’s kindness that He leads us to repentance. A relationship with the Lord is one based on knowing how much He loves us, believes in us and desires the very best for us. That does not mean that there are not consequences to our decisions. If you lie to someone they may have to learn to trust you again even if you have asked for forgiveness. Consequences are not a form of punishment from God. They are the very things the Lord was attempting to protect us from by teaching us to walk and act His way. God loves us even though and through the consequences of sin. Even when the nations of Israel and Judah would turn their backs on the Lord, He would allow them to suffer the consequences of their decisions, but His love for them never failed.
Jeremiah 24:5 - 7
“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge those who are carried away captive from Judah, whom I have sent out of this place for their own good, into the land of the Chaldeans. For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
God is always looking for the best in us. He is always calling us back to himself. When we respond to his conviction he very quickly restores us.
Guilt drives us deeper into depression, anger, frustration, and can lead to self-loathing and separation from feeling the love of God. His love does not leave us but are sensing of it can.
God calls us to be guilt free. Ask for forgiveness from the Lord and others. Make restitution if need be. Believe you have been forgiven and act like it! Learn to rest in His grace and you will live healthy and free.
No comments:
Post a Comment