Living with Guilt

Guilt can be good or bad

Guilt (self-reproach and feelings of responsibility for an offense) can be a good thing, or a very bad thing. It’s good when it leads to repentance and reformation. It’s bad when it prevents us from moving forward, overcoming our failures, and experiencing the joys of a saving relationship with Christ.

Unfortunately, many become overcome with the burden of guilt

I spend a great deal of time with people who are overcome with the burden of guilt. Much of what I hear has to do with regrets over things not done: parents who failed to spend adequate time with growing children; husbands/wives who failed to show proper love and appreciation for a spouse; children who failed to attend to the needs of an aged parent. This list could be much longer. The remainder of guilt is generated when people do things they know in their own hearts they should not do. In some cases, but not all, these wrongs can be righted. When possible, that is what must be done.

But, we cannot go back and right every wrong

We cannot undo all the damage we have done. However, we can move forward with the determination to help others avoid the same mistakes. Carrying a heavy load of guilt over these matters will only retard our spiritual progress and destroy our inner peace.

If God could forgive Paul, He can forgive you

The story of the Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul) is extremely helpful when confronting guilt (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Paul acknowledged his guilt. He had been a blasphemer, persecutor, and a violent man toward Christians. He had been as bad as they come. He called himself the “chief” or “worst” of sinners, but still, he found forgiveness. If God could forgive him and lift his burden of guilt, He could do it for anyone.

What did Paul do upon obeying Christ (Acts 22:16)?

• First, he put his past behind him (Philippians 3:13). He would learn from past mistakes, but he would not dwell on them.
• Second, he accepted the forgiveness provided through the grace of Christ (1 Timothy 1:14).
• Third, he changed his life and became a new man in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• Fourth, he forgave himself, and vowed not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

His focus was not on what he had done, but on what he could do! It worked for him, and it will work for us!

Jesus Christ can free us from the burden of guilt

No matter how great the burden of guilt we carry, Jesus Christ can free us from it. Follow the example of Paul. Turn to Christ. Obey His commands. Become a new creature. Forget the past, and move forward (Philippians 3:13, 14). Guilt is a heavy burden to bear. It saps life of peace, hope and joy. But, it’s a burden none of us need to bear. Jesus Christ can take the guilt away. Will we let Him do that for us? That’s the question we need to consider now!