That Gnawing Feeling...

I love/hate a guilty conscience.

At first twinge, guilt is a gift. It prompts me to know I have offended grace in some way. Maybe I have offended some person or ignored a leading of God. Maybe I breached a personal standard I set for myself.

We know what to do, right? We take it to the Lord in prayer and humbly ask for forgiveness. If we have wronged a person, we apologize and seek to make things right.

But then, do you ever find that you still have a remaining feeling of guilt?

Guilt and condemnation are nasty things. They absolutely keep you tied to regret of past behavior. They are NOT empowering but rather create a huge downward pull into what we dislike about ourselves. If we ask for forgiveness and still carry guilt and condemnation, we are somehow still walking a life of law and not grace. 

Animal sacrifices in the Old Testament did not cleanse of guilt--they only reminded them of sin.

 (If the sacrifices had been enough...)
"...the worshipers would have been cleansed
once for all, and would no longer
have felt guilty for their sins..."    Hebrews 10: 2

The new covenant in Christ provides for forgiveness AND cleansing:

I John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Corinthians 7: 1 Having therefore these promises, beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

After praying for forgiveness and cleansing, if there is a remaining 'feeling' of being not right, I ask if I am to make something right with someone. If that is not the case,   

                                                            I fight!

One time I had a dream that I was lying on a hospital bed and two dogs came in the room. One was on each side of the bed chewing my hands!  I cried out, "God! Help me! I am being attacked!" The dogs were leaving and one turned and said to me, "Many rebuke us but few submit themselves to God."

  

James 4: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

They hit the worst when you are weak (as in the dream--I was in a hospital bed). They will stop you from working or being effective (as in the dream--by chewing on my hands).

Guilt and condemnation are two enemy agents that seem to travel in a pair.

They are sent by the accuser who still wants us under the Law and not Grace.
With the sacrifice of Jesus--after repentance--there is no more reminder of sin.

Get rid of them and enjoy the freedom that was purchased for you!

 

Love,
Marcie Elliott-Smith