Feeling Guilty

Feeling Guilty

1 John 3:4 - 'Those who sin are opposed to the law of God,
for all sin opposes the law of God.'

The consequence to sin is death according to the word. We may feel we are getting away with certain things, but are we really? When we continue in sin or continue making crazy mistakes, we keep ourselves out of God's presence. Not that God leaves us, but our sin pushes him away in our own minds and hearts. When we welcome sin or the same stupid mistakes then we hurt our relationship with God because we feel guilty or shamed before him. Even after we ask for forgiveness, there is a feeling of remorse and regret that comes when we really stand in his presence.

I know a lot of preachers preach that no matter what we do, we should be able to come before God with boldness and confidence. Just ask for forgiveness and come boldly before God. Well, that is true, but what about the feelings of shame and guilt? I know that we don't have to feel that way, but when you hurt someone, shouldn't you feel guilty? Shouldn't there be a level of guilt that comes with that even after you have repented to them? Well, if you have a true relationship with God, there will be a certain level of guilt and shame when you turn your back on him and go for sin instead of his righteousness. It hurts him, even though he does forgive.

But that is the difference between being a hearer of his word and a doer of his word. Hearers have no relationship. They live good and try to quote the bible and read the bible, but don't really commune with God on a personal level. So, sin can become a regular practice because they are not intimate with God. But the doer knows the voice of God and walks according to his commands. And when the doer sins, he feels bad because he knows that God is grieved by it. So, it is impossible to practice sin on a daily basis for the doer.

Don't feel bad because you still feel a level of guilt even after you have been forgiven. Just know in your heart that God has forgiven you and try not to do it again. And rejoice that you are close enough to God to feel his hurt and disappointment. When there is no guilt at all, that's when it's time to worry.

(Suggested Reading: James 1:15, 1Pet. 4:1, 1John 2:1, 1John 3:1-10)