How to Overcome Sin, Guilt, and Condemnation—Part 2

In the first part of this series, I discussed God’s flabbergasting response to the problem of sin as a false identity and fallen way of being and doing. Let’s continue with a more practical focus. In order to do so, we must understand the difference between condemnation and guilt.

The Difference between Condemnation and Guilt

Scripture says that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). We are, in fact, all guilty of harming ourselves and one another.

Guilt is defined as “ . . . having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penalty” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).

To be condemned is altogether different and occurs when WE are

“declared to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil; pronounced guilty and sentenced to punishment” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).

Guilt is about behavior. Condemnation is about identity.

 But God is amazing!

In our guilt, He NEVER condemns us. He never declares His kids reprehensible, wrong, or evil. He declares us righteous and convicts us of that (2 Cor. 5:17 and 21 and John 16:8‒11).

Moreover, He has removed punishment, even in the day of Judgment (1 John 4:17‒18 and John 5:22‒24).

Not only that, He keeps no records of wrongs (Ps. 103:12 and 1 Cor. 13:5) Seriously, the deal is absolutely rigged in our favor!

This is not to say that sinful behavior is okay. It’s not!!!

The destruction, fallout, and consequence of death, in its many forms, are worse than we know (Rom. 6:1‒2 and 23). THIS is why we desperately need a Savior. But we know the glorious truth is that we have One, Who loves us, has forgiven us, bears with us, and is there to help us constantly!

God knows that if we are guilty but forgiven, we can get up and be who we really are and behave accordingly. We are His sons and daughters— righteous, lovely, holy and whole. The more we track with that truth, the more we will behave like who we truly are.

However, if we are guilty and condemned, we are cut off from hope and any power to be and act like who we truly are. We are powerless to be and do better. Condemnation is never productive.

True guilt, however, is good to a point, in that it shows we have a healthy conscience. If we behave in a sinful manner, we violate a healthy conscience and feel true guilt. If we handle this the way it is intended, it will drive us to our senses and cause us to run to our merciful Father for forgiveness. We come away cleansed, renewed, strengthened, and joyful. We are empowered to be who we are—clean, righteous, and lovely.

 I have talked about true guilt, but I also need to briefly discuss false guilt. False guilt is a feeling of guilt that simply is not ours to bear. It needs the ministry of Truth, cleansing from a shame-based identity and/or a false sense of responsibility.

 Condemnation is never good nor acceptable. It keeps us imprisoned without hope, as if we were separated from God. It cuts us off from being who we truly are and behaving in the lovely godly ways we were intended. But nothing can separate us from God—except in our minds.

Colossians 1:21‒22 (The Passion Translation 2020) says:

Even though you were once distant from him, living in the shadows of your evil thoughts and actions, he reconnected you back to himself. He released his supernatural peace to you through the sacrifice of his own body as the sin-payment on your behalf so that you would dwell in his presence. And now there is nothing between you and Father God, for he sees you as holy, flawless, and restored. 

(emphasis added)

The commentary says that God sees you without indictment. You are holy, flawless, and restored! Our union with Him has already been secured

(Eph. 1:4, 2 Tim. 1:9‒10, Col. 1:20‒22, Col. 2:11, and Rom. 8:38‒39). You are uncondemnable!

Forgiveness and Blaspheming Holy Spirit

 There is no sin that God cannot forgive. When this is brought up, many ask about blaspheming Holy Spirit (Mark 3:29 and Luke 12:10). This can occur when we refuse to entrust ourselves to God. That means we have functionally cut ourselves off from the Source of forgiveness and cleansing, because we are operating in the delusion that we are separate from a God. This is a delusion because:

• God is everywhere—even in hell (Ps. 139:7‒8 and Rev. 14:10).
• He has completely forgiven us (Luke 23:34, John 1:29, and 1 John 2:2)
• He utterly loves and accepts us (Rom. 8:38‒39 and Eph. 1:5‒7)
• He has united Himself to us (Eph. 1:4, 2 Tim. 1:9‒10, Col. 1:20‒22, Col. 2:11, and Rom. 8:38‒39)

Where we are blind to this and refuse it, we will not experience the forgiveness that is present. Hebrews 6:4‒6 talks about a seared conscience that won’t repent. It won’t receive the forgiveness that is there. This is on our end not God’s.

Let me help you here. If you are worried about having blasphemed Holy Spirit, that means you have enough knowledge of God and enough conscience to care. You may be trapped in all sorts of darkness, but God is right there with you!

You have NOT blasphemed Him. You are forgiven, loved, and accepted. You are NOT outside of Christ! Don’t let the enemy of your soul torment you! Let Holy Spirit minister to and heal your soul here!

Getting Free of Condemnation and Guilt

 Let’s turn to the practicalities of getting free from condemnation and guilt.

 When you have committed sinful behavior, resist condemnation at the get-go. Flat out rebel against it. Condemnation is ungodly and accuses Jesus of not having done a good enough job on that cross.

I like to tell people to resist condemnation as much as you resist sin.

God says you are uncondemnable—agree with Him! If you need more help with this, read or reread part 1 of this series.

You may need to renounce the overlay of condemnation out loud.

Whether you credit a literal devil, who is accusing and condemning you or not, this works. Do it in Jesus’ name.  

Receiving forgiveness is key.

Don’t make excuses about sinful behavior. When you have violated your conscience, you have violated love.

Don’t wallow in or medicate the guilt or condemnation, RUN to God with it.

Your situation and behavior is no surprise to Him. He is not disappointed in you even if you are very disappointed with yourself.

He has already forgiven you.

But you need to experience that forgiveness and cleansing, so ask Him to help you do just that.

Confess all the yuck to Him—blow by blow, until it feels complete.

Sometimes it will be very helpful for you to confess your wrongdoing to someone who is trustworthy and who won’t judge you. Let God lead. This can be very healing (James 5:16). You don’t have to and should never hide in shame!

Give it to Jesus. If it is toxic, He wants it and is the only One Who can handle it!

Forgive yourself.

Remember, you are not saying it was okay. You are saying YOU are okay, and you have messed up just like we all have.

Release all of the junk to Him with any sense of shame and defilement.

What if I still feel Guilty?

 What if you still feel guilty?

Ask the Lord if this is false guilt. If it is, spend some time letting Him minister Truth to you. It was never yours to carry.

Repent of carrying something you were never meant to.

 Are you taking responsibility for others’ actions, attitudes, behaviors, reactions, decisions, and well-being?

If so, this is on them—not you.

Release the weight of those people and all those issues to God.

Ask God to help you love and honor people. That is yours to do but not to carry the responsibility for them. Ask Him to help you understand the difference and to be aware of falling into that trap again.

 If you are still feeling true guilt, you have probably violated your own conscience and still need some more ministry. In that case, ask the Lord to cleanse your conscience with His blood so you can be free. Spend some time letting Him do it (Heb.10:2 and 22).

 Repeat this process until you feel clean. Take your time. It is your birthright to feel clean and free!

 Ask the Lord if there is someone of whom you need to ask forgiveness. Be brave and humble. Usually, people will forgive you. If they do not, you are still forgiven by God, and that is on them. Let it rest with God.

 Ask God if there is something else you need to do to clean up any mess you have made. Be brave and humble and do as God leads you. God will empower you!

 Struggling with Shame

 Keep short accounts, so to speak, with God regarding your behavior and make sure you forgive others quickly. It is your birthright to feel clean and unburdened.

If shame is an issue, this will require more ministry from Holy Spirit as to the truth of who you are. Remember:

• You are NOT what was done to you.
• You are NOT what was not done for you.
• You are NOT what you have done or what you have not done.

If feelings of shame are persistent, get some counseling. God will lead and provide what you need, Be brave to face the issues at hand, and don’t put it off. You are worth whatever expense it requires. You have a lifetime of freedom, peace, and joy to live and share with others!

I trust that this has been helpful for you!

Feel free to share with someone who is struggling.

I would love to hear about your journey here!

 

Much love,

 

Catherine