Guilt

Guilt is more than a feeling we try and avoid. It is a state that we enter when we do something wrong. The good news is that God deals with it.

What does the Bible say about guilt -

1. What is guilt - Psalm 32v5
2. We are guilty - Romans 3v19-20
3. Gift of forgiveness - Romans 5v15-17
4. Guilt cleansed - Hebrews 10v21-22
5. Debatable issues - Romans 14v22-23

What is guilt

Psalms 32:5

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What does the writer identify as the causes of guilt in respect to his relationship with God?
2. How does the writer deal with this guilt?

Thoughts to consider

Guilt from the Bible’s point of view is something that gets in the way of our relationship with God. We can also be guilty before another person or before the government, but this is not what the Bible is dealing with. So, I can have a good conscience before God while another person considers me guilty.

We are guilty

Romans 3v19-20

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What is the purpose of guilt?
2. Why is it that no one can be guiltless before a perfect God?

Thoughts to consider

“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 Since none of us is actually perfect, we all guilty of breaking the law. We may try our best to please God, but our failure is a matter of degree and our level of guilt is a matter of perspective.

Gift of forgiveness

Romans 5v15-17

But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. What is the outcome of lawbreaking and sin?
2. How has God resolved the issue of our guilt?

Thoughts to consider

Adam and Eve were in an idyllic state of innocence that persisted until they chose to go against God which introduced distrust. From then on the delicate balance was broken and sin and rebellion would always be present. The guilt that persists is overcome through the gift of Jesus.

Guilt cleansed

Hebrews 10v21-22

And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. How has God overcome the consequences of guilt so we can enter his presence?
2. Why would it be important to God that we have access to his presence?

Thoughts to consider

The guilt that stands between us and God is cleaned away by Jesus’ sacrifice of his life. His blood cleans us.

Debatable Issues

Romans 14v22-23

You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.

Questions for reflection or discussion

1. How can a person come to the conclusion that an action is right or wrong while others come to a different conclusion?
2. This passage concerns disputable matters How can a person become guilty over issues that are not clearly right or wrong in God’s view?

Thoughts to consider

The Lord looks at our decisions based on our faith. What do I believe that God thinks about a course of action? If in my heart I believe that something is offensive to God, then I would be betraying him if I were to do it.

Overview question for reflection or discussion

1. What causes guilt between a person and God?
2. How can I resolve my guilt against God?

Thoughts to consider

The feeling of guilt can overwhelm a person and inhibit their development as a person and keep them from showing love to others. It is really important to resolve our guilt and stand clean before God.

Photo Credit

Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash