Guilt
Scripture:
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 8:11-12
No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.
Reflection:
Today I choose to fast from the wound of guilt.
Guilt is a wound that cuts us deep and leaves us feeling inadequate and inferior. It’s one that lines up all of our past failings and never lets us forget them. And while we may think of guilt as the proper response when we’ve done something wrong, remorse is actually a more helpful way to go.
Unlike guilt which keeps us anchored in the same of the past, remorse helps us move forward. Remorse is a sorrow that pricks our conscience when we sin. It’s what helps us to seek mercy and forgiveness without allowing the sin to take a defining place in our lives. Guilt is a long-lasting wound that keeps us from drawing close to God. Remorse is a temporary response that drives us into the arms of a loving and gracious Creator.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
What do I think about this distinction between guilt and remorse? Which one tends to have a bigger role in my life?
In what areas of my life is guilt holding me back?
Prayer:
Share with God those areas of your life where guilt is holding you back and ask God to help you experience freedom from guilt. Confess any sins that need to be confessed and thank God for the grace and mercy to keep moving forward.
These devotions have been adapted from “Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin” by Ken Kniepmann.
