Are you really guilty?

[Johnnz]

Real and False Guilt



Many contributors mention feelings of guilt, shame, feeing unclean. I hope this information helps.



Real Guilt This comes from our conscience, our inner moral compass. It requires a good knowledge of biblical principles and sensitivity to God’s Spirit. Confession and repentance get rid of it. BUT, we can ignore it easily, and it can become corrupted, so that it does not function reliably.



False Guilt This is guilt that comes from peers, parents, church and society. Conduct producing false guilt does not have a clear biblical basis, and usually comes by way of custom, tradition, church, family or cultural values. Examples are masturbation, ‘how far’, vague accusations of ‘not being really committed”. Confession and repentance don’t work. You just go on felling guilty. Wise counsel (sadly often hard to find, and pretty difficult for some matters) is needed.



Shame occurs when we violate a personal or respected person’s standard. We can be genuinely forgiven but still feel ashamed. Shame based on false guilt is a real killer. Confession etc does not reduce the feeling. Loving support and wise counsel are needed.



Feelings of being ‘dirty’ or ‘unclean’. Any of the above can result in this. Most importantly, there can be an actual ‘uncleanness’ transmitted from one person to another. Each person has his/her own spiritual environment. People really into unhealthy behaviour (e.g. porn, sexual obsession, personal control) leave their spiritual mantle upon the other person, causing unclean, dirty feelings. Rape victims know about this, but it is much more common that just from that. Sexual intimacy can really open a person to such an influence. Specific prayer is needed for this.



Ring any bells?



John

NZ

 

[newlite]

thanks for that. i dont know why but i feel better now. i can beathe easier. wierd...

 

[wayfaring man]

There are some things which are near absolutely wrong , if not absolutely .

Then there are some which vary greatly with the individual , and their situation .

Finding out which is which , is one of the splendid quests , and necessary evils , which each of us face in life .

Scripture , and the counsel of God's judgments , is given to assist us in this wise .

Through learning Scripture well , we can compare , the words of others , with the Word of God .

Especially , with the Holy Spirit as our teacher !

May God be Glorified !

wm

 

[TheMainException]

I have one thing that I want to object to... real guilt cannot always be simply taken away by confession and repentence...as humans we many times just can't let go. Other than that, I agree.

 

[KleinerApfel]

I have one thing that I want to object to... real guilt cannot always be simply taken away by confession and repentence...as humans we many times just can't let go. Other than that, I agree.

I know what you mean. Something we do wrong can make us feel guilty, so we come to God and repent, but still feel no relief.

I think that's because we've allowed it to sneak into the "false guilt" section of our minds!

How much we need to remind ourselves of God's willingness to wipe the slate clean for us!

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

God bless, Susana