What To Do With Guilt?

One of the biggest barriers between people and Jesus is guilt. I've actually had people tell me things along the lines of: "Jesus?... no thank you, I have enough guilt in my life."

In a way, this reaction makes sense. After all, we understand that Jesus was perfect, that He never sinned, not even with His thoughts. We understand that He will one day judge us according to all the words, actions, and thoughts we have ever done. There's plenty of fodder there to feed our guilt.

People will sometimes read passages such as this one:

You hate all workers of iniquity.
You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

Psalm 5:5,6

Or again

God is a just judge,
And God is angry with the wicked every day.

Psalm 7:11

So God hates all workers of iniquity, and he is angry with them every day? Well he must not feel very good about me then. Why would I want to serve someone who hates me?

But wait a minute: how do you know these texts are talking about you?

There's an important detail that many people have missed in these texts: its that God does not consider everyone who happens to sin to be "wicked".

Now, it's true that we are all sinners in His eyes. We all break His law. But the term "wicked", is a special term, reserved for people who not only sin, but have chosen sin in the light of God's grace.

The Bible talks about the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit. This sin is no small sin that people just commit unaware. It's basically transgressing your own conscience. It's more than just the common sins that come from ignorance of God's law and His character of love. It's people who know the truth but persistently and definitely choose to silence their conscience and choose selfishness.

The Bible gives us one definite person who committed this sin: Judas. He was later called the son of perdition. Which means that he had become so linked with sin, that he was a child of it.

Judas was not some person who did not know any better. He spent 3 1/2 years of his life spending every waking moment with Jesus. He rejected Jesus in the full light of His love and power. That kind of sin is the sin against the Holy Spirit. I want to suggest to you, that it is this special class of sinners who are described by the term "wicked."

Now, maybe you're thinking: I've done some pretty rotten things, I am probably one of those "wicked" people.

Remember that a wicked person cannot be forgiven, because they are so hardened that they can never repent. If you are reading this blog, you probably have not crossed that line.

In the bible, here are some sins that were forgiven: adultery, murder, incest, betrayal, blasphemy, idolatry.

If you have a desire to be made right with God. That is evidence that the Holy Spirit is still working to save you and that you have not committed the unpardonable sin.

These are the words of scripture for you:



For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:6-8


So what should you do with your guilt? Accept God's forgiveness. Accept that Jesus died for a sinner like you. You may be a great sinner, but Jesus is a greater savior. Accept Jesus' forgiveness, and please, forgive yourself. You may see some awful consequences, caused by your past sins, but claim this promise.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Yes, Jesus has the power to bring good, even out of your worst mistakes. You may have to suffer because of them. But you can know that God will ultimately bring good out of them if you choose to follow Him.

Listen to this powerful song, written by King David after he sinned. Read along on the screen from Psalm 51:1-4 NKJV, then read the full psalm




Song Title: "Have Mercy Upon Me O God" from the CD: Green Pastures

Music by Trilogy Scripture Songs