Five Negative and Harmful EmotionsSample

Guilt feelings

Guilt feelings in the life of a Christian are the consequence of sin or disobedience towards God. God forgives us when we stop to sin and repent of our wrongdoing. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, He will clearly show us what we did wrong.

In John 16:8, the Bible says: When the Spirit comes, He will convict of sin. Trust the Holy Spirit to show you different sins in your life.

There is a difference between real and false guilt feelings, which is of utmost importance. Too often, people do not make enough effort to discern between the two types of guilt feelings.

False guilt comes when individuals feel guilty even though they have not committed any sin or done anything wrong. This can happen because of unrealistic expectations or manipulations of others or ourselves. No amount of “confession of sin” or “repentance of what you have done” will deliver you from false guilt feelings.

False guilt feelings have several sources: failure to live up to parental expectations, un-Biblical religious expectations (unrealistic and unfair expectations), a false perception of reality and their role in certain events. Sometimes, people feel guilty because they could have done something about it: “If I didn’t stop to buy some food,” “Just waited a few minutes before they started to take their journey,” and “Just told my son how much I loved him.” They “take responsibility” for things over which they had no control.

Satan will make you feel guilty, but the guilt feelings that he will give you usually are vague, and when you confront it, you will end up confused because you will not know what to confess.

When we are guilty, freedom comes through confessing sins and accepting God’s forgiveness. God offers forgiveness to those who are guilty of sin or disobedience. In 1 John 1:9, we read: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

The power of false guilt feelings only breaks when you discover the source of these feelings and replace them with the truth. No amount of “confession” or self-condemnations will set you free.

If you continue in My word… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32).

Obedience: Make a list of the things about which you are constantly feeling guilty. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Deliverance, in this case, comes through knowing the truth. Reject all false guilt feelings and ask the Holy Spirit to deliver you.