GUILT FREE LIVING
Proverbs
28:13-14 Whoever conceals his transgressions will
not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Blessed
is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall
into calamity.
Feelings of guilt that are
repressed can produce havoc in a person’s life. It is no wonder that many
religions try to create a system to relieve people of this sense of guilt and
shame for sins committed and deeds left undone. Feelings of guilt cannot be
removed by some magical practice or “ten steps” to freedom. No, this proverb
gives an answer to this dilemma in people.
Feelings of guilt flow from
a violation of God’s moral law. As in science, if you violate the law of
gravity by thinking you can fly off the roof of your house you get terribly
injured or even die. So it is with God’s moral laws. If you steal, there is a consequence.
If the theft is left undone you will suffer a measure of guilty feelings. If
you commit adultery in body or mind, you will suffer a moral consequence. We
are made in God’s image. Our conscience is proof of this moral law knit into
our fabric as humans. If a moral law is broken then the consequence of guilt or
shame will be realized in some measure.
Such violations can only be
remedied by God. It is His law that has been broken. He is the One offended or
violated by your sin, first and foremost. Yes, others are hurt or violated. But
the remedy begins with your confession of sin to God. But it doesn’t stop
there. The wise will confess and renounce or forsake the sinful action. Mercy
is extended first by God to the person who truly repents and turns from his
sinfulness.
A healthy understanding of
the nature of sin and folly entails the person having a healthy fear, or
respect, for God and His standards. Relief from guilt and shame begins with
your turning first to God then to the one you sinned against in this world. It
doesn’t work any other way.