Feeling Guilty

Series: Battles of the Heart

…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water… (Hebrews 10:22)

During the first few months of life our hearts hum a simple tune. When we’re comfortable we coo, when we’re uncomfortable we cry, and when we don’t know what we are – just feel out of sorts -- we fret while we make up our minds.

One sign of maturity is learning how to bring harmony to a cacophony of conflicting emotions. For example, we love our spouse, we love banana pudding, we love it when driver and golf ball meet at the “sweet spot,” and we love it when a plan comes together.

We sometimes look and sound angry when we actually feel vulnerable, frustrated, sad, embarrassed, afraid… In the heat of the moment it’s easier to pitch an angry fit than to figure out what’s really going on with us.

Different feelings call for different choices. What’s this got to do with feeling guilty? Our conscience (Greek noun suneidesis) is what discerns good from evil so we can do what’s good and avoid evil.

What do you feel guilty about? I feel guilty when I relax….when I say no….when I eat sweets…let my children struggle…spend money on myself…missing church when I’m sick…

We beat ourselves up feeling guilty. We pray for wisdom to make choices that please God, then thank him by “feeling guilty” when we don’t meet human expectations. I feel very frustrated about that!

Wisdom finally said, “Sandra, what does God’s word say about feeling guilty?”
I delved into my trusty Vine’s Dictionary of Biblical Words, [Vine’s and Mounce’s] Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, and NIV Study Bible to see exactly what I should and should not feel guilty about.

I’m not a Greek student but I can snoop out sufficiently enough to be dangerous. Feeling guilty wasn’t in there!

Let’s call it what it is. We can feel uncomfortable or unsettled about earthly matters, but where eternal matters are concerned “feeling guilty” has no place in the life of a Christian. That’s very good news (Romans 5:6; 6:8; I Peter 3:18; I Corinthians 6:11).

Father God, thank you for your gift of grace that gives us peace, comfort and joy in the chaos of life. Through Jesus whose sacrifice ensured it, amen.

Sandra Milholland
Abilene, Texas