Guilt

[GreenMunchkin]

Do any of you get sudden stabs of guilt over stuff you did prior to becoming a Christian?

I know if we have repented, we are made new in Christ, but unbearable guilt: what do we do with it?

 

[ReformedChapin]

You let it go as a regenerated son/daugther of Christ. It should remind you of what sinners of capable of.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

"You let it go..."

Yes, but how?

 

[SunMessenger]

You let it go by learning the lesson that comes from it. None of us is perfect. Each mistake we have made is only a sin again if we repeat it. When you learn and are reminded at times by these thoughts of guilt it is then you say to Jesus I have learned Lord please forgive me and then by giving it to him you let it go but never forget it because by forgetting the door is open to repeat the same mistakes. Jesus stands up for us and Jesus died so we need not suffer guilt as long as we have learned and continue to do so. God bless you always...


Sun

 

[Hentenza]

Do any of you get sudden stabs of guilt over stuff you did prior to becoming a Christian?

I know if we have repented, we are made new in Christ, but unbearable guilt: what do we do with it?

Everyone has sinned, and one of the results of sin is guilt. We can be thankful for guilty feelings, in that they drive us to seek forgiveness. The moment that we turn from sin to Jesus Christ in faith, our sins are forgiven. Repentance is part of the faith that leads to salvation (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 3:19).

In Christ, even the most heinous sins are blotted out. Look at the list of unrighteous acts forgiven in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Salvation is by grace, and grace forgives. After we are saved, we will still sin. When we do, God still promises forgiveness. “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

Freedom from sin, however, doesn’t always mean freedom from guilty feelings. Even when our sins are forgiven, we still remember them. Also, we have a spiritual enemy, called “the accuser of the brethren” in Revelation 12:10, who relentlessly reminds us of our failures, faults, and sins. When we as Chistians experience feelings of guilt, we should do the following things:

1) Confess all known, previously unconfessed sin. Perhaps feelings of guilt are appropriate, because confession is needed. Many times, we feel guilty because we are guilty! See David’s description of guilt and its solution in Psalm 32:3-5.

2) Ask the Lord to reveal any other sin that may need confessing. Have the courage to be completely open and honest before the Lord. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me” (Psalm 139:23-24).

3) Trust the promise of God that He will forgive sin and remove guilt, based on the blood of Christ (1 John 1:9; Psalm 85:2; 86:5; Romans 8:1).

4) On occasions when guilty feelings arise over sins already confessed and forsaken, reject such feelings as false guilt. The Lord has been true to His promise to forgive. Psalm 103:8-12 is a good one to read about this.

5) Ask the Lord to rebuke Satan, our accuser, and ask the Lord to restore the joy that comes with freedom from guilt.

Psalm 32 makes a great study. Although David had sinned terribly, he finds freedom from both sin and guilty feelings. He deals with the cause of guilt and the fact of forgiveness.

Psalm 51 is another good passage to read. The emphasis here is confession of sin, as David pleads with God from a heart full of guilt and sorrow. Restoration and joy are the results.

 

[edie19]

Do any of you get sudden stabs of guilt over stuff you did prior to becoming a Christian?

I know if we have repented, we are made new in Christ, but unbearable guilt: what do we do with it?

Yes - I carry the burden of a sin that's 30 years old. I know that God has forgiven me, I just have had trouble forgiving myself.

What finally helped - I discussed it in detail with my pastor (it was something I never talked about - prior to sharing with my pastor only 2-3 people knew the circumstances). Funny thing - my pastor knew based on conversations we've had and comments I've made, he was just waiting for me to talk about it. Anyhow - sharing with him and having him pray for me really helped. Do I still feel the guilt, on occasion, but not nearly as much as I used to.

 

[rmw8855]

If the sin was before you became a christian then it has been covered by the blood and you are forgiven. God will never remind us of our sins because once he forgives them, they are forgotten. Don't forget that

God says you are forgiven, so don't let Satan (the accuser) tell you otherwise. Cast down all thoughts which don't line up with the word of God. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

I agree with Hen, Psalm 51 is wonderful under these circumstances. Make it personal, turn the psalm into a conversation with God.

 

[daveleau]

When weighing what God did for us against our sinful nature and our complete unworthiness of God's gift, how could we feel anything but overwhelmed?

What prompted David to write many of the Psalms?

What did Paul frequently site regarding his life prior to his ministry?

It is natural for a Christian to feel guilt.

BUT, God is gracious and provides comfort.

Rom 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So, you are not alone.

Acts 10:43 tells us Christians are forgiven for our sins.

Which sins? All sins.

If you have overwhelming guilt, talk to God. Let Him know you understand His promise of forgiveness. Let Him know how you feel, and ask Him to illuminate what the grief you feel is intended to tell you. What are you to learn? All affliction and trials are for our benefit. If guilt is not overcome by the reading of Scripture, then I beleive there is a purpose for it that we should learn from.

I pray God gives you peace,
In Him,
Dave

 

[Criada]

"You let it go..."

Yes, but how?

Wish I knew, sis.

But - God *can* deal with it. Because He's already taken away what caused it... if He can wash away the sin, then He can deal with its effects.
It's just a case of giving it back to Him every time satan throws it at you. And eventually you will notice that it isn't there any more.
That's what I believe, anyway - though I'm better at saying it than doing it!

 

[3girls2dogs]

I know exactly what you mean, Greenie. I always feel guilt. But in spending a lot of time thinking about it, the guilt I feel is not because I sinned against God. I have been forgiven in Him.

When I finally put more thought into it, I realized that the guilt I am feeling is because of the pain I caused other people. And as far as that goes, I am still working on how to work through that.

 

[LivingLifeHisWay]

"You let it go..."

Yes, but how?

You let it go by asking Jesus to take it from you. You ask Him and He'll take it.

Also, I just went through the 12 steps to Freedom by Neil T. Anderson and it has helped me soooo much.

I'm actually going to PM you about this.....

 

[shrewdsnake]

Do any of you get sudden stabs of guilt over stuff you did prior to becoming a Christian?

I know if we have repented, we are made new in Christ, but unbearable guilt: what do we do with it?

I'm never sure what constitutes fellowship and what is debate but I will say yes there are two events in my pre-saved past that will come up still and fill me with overwhelming guilt. Both were catalysts in becoming a Christian. I view them coming back up as my own doubt or a small attack to cause doubt. I usually just read my Bible and let the feeling pass. Sometimes it may take days sometimes not.

 

[Romanseight2005]

It is an interesying dichotomy. I was just pondering sin. God loved us even though we didn't love him, and we sinned immeasurably. But as we begin to receive His love, we in turn begin to love Him, and others. I will finish this later because I have to go, but I will get to my point when I finish this.

 

[Lady Bug]

Do any of you get sudden stabs of guilt over stuff you did prior to becoming a Christian?

I know if we have repented, we are made new in Christ, but unbearable guilt: what do we do with it?

Yes, I think about the types of things I said when I wasn't a Christian, and I really regret them, but I can't decide if the guilt if unbearable or not. I wouldn't shed a tear if I could rid myself of it though.

I used to gossip somewhat about people who I found annoying (even though they were; but I don't like that I resorted to their level by engaging in gossip myself), I used to talk dirty online with this one guy that I felt clingy to (yeah, really sorry about that one, ughhh)...I can't believe I did any of those things now...I would NEVER want to do this again. I know they say, never say never, but I have to on this one.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I used to talk dirty online with this one guy that I felt clingy to (yeah, really sorry about that one, ughhh)...I can't believe I did any of those things now...I would NEVER want to do this again. I know they say, never say never, but I have to on this one.

Oh how weird. Thank you to everyone who responded, but this one struck a chord because for me it's former sexual sin, too. How do we get past it?

 

[Criada]

You have your cross back.



That is so good to see, sis.

 

[IamRedeemed]

If you have repented of it already, then the source is satan, the accuser of the brethren, and you tell him what a liar he is that Jesus has removed your sin as far as the east is from the west and has buried it in the sea of forgetfulness.

If it is sin you haven't repented of but have forgotten about, then it is the Holy Spirit, bringing it to your remembrance so that you will repent of it and the blood of Jesus can cleanse that area of your life and remove hindrances that may be present in your life currently as a result of it and close off that access into your life to the enemy.

God bless

Do any of you get sudden stabs of guilt over stuff you did prior to becoming a Christian?

I know if we have repented, we are made new in Christ, but unbearable guilt: what do we do with it?

 

[jive4005]

It took me a while (years) but I finally did get a handle of His great forgiveness. Today, I can say I KNOW I have a clean slate with Him, and if it's good enough for Him, it's gotta be good enough for me too.

We actually get to choose if we believe Him or not. I discovered I could indeed make myself believe. I did. He responded with power, favor and peace. Awesome God!

rev

 

[Lady Bug]

Oh how weird. Thank you to everyone who responded, but this one struck a chord because for me it's former sexual sin, too. How do we get past it?

that's a good question. I don't know. Luckily he never knew what I looked like and vice versa, but I wouldn't want him to know. Not for lack of self esteem but I couldn't bare for him to be able to see the person he talked dirty withHe also grew to resent the talk too, and viewed it as something that actually destroyed a friendship we had. But I am so thankful that I view that past sin with contempt now. That's why I cringe at the thought of flirting online with anyone. It just reminds me of that. but I still don't know how to get past it

I kinda feel funny talking about it but anyway, the cat is out of the bag...

 

[JPPT1974]

I think when you find your conscience
You realize that you find your guilt
And ask God to forgive you.