The Problem of Guilt

Condemning Guilt?

• “I don’t think anything has been done in the name of Christ and under the banner of Christianity that has proven more destructive of human personality and hence, counterproductive for the evangelism enterprise than the often crude, uncouth, and unchristian strategy of attempting to make people aware of their lost and sinful condition.”

The Pain of Unresolved Sin

• “There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger,

nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my

iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they

are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering

because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down

greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are full of

inflammation, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am

feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of

my heart.”

{Psalm 38:3-8}

Man’s Answer to Guilt

Accepts no guilt – bad behavior is caused by

past experiences, other peoples’ actions, and

biological makeup.

Denies his actions are wrong – no absolutes;

everything is simply a matter of opinion.

Escapes guilt with alcohol/drugs – they

ease the pain.

Avoids thinking about guilt by losing

himself in pleasure, T.V., music, etc.

The Christian’s Answer to Guilt

Admits that there is right and wrong behavior. Absolute standards exist. God has spoken. (John 12:48; 17:17)

Admits that we are responsible for our actions. (Romans 14:12)

Rejoices that the cure for guilt is found in the forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:4)

A Damaged Conscience

• “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” {Titus 1:15,16}

“He Who Overcomes”

• The church members at Ephesus had only themselves to blame for losing their “first love.”

– “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” {Revelation 2:7}

• The Christians at Pergamos were the ones who allowed the false teaching of Balaam.– “He who has an ear, let him hear what the

Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” {Revelation 2:17}

“He Who Overcomes”

• Christians at Thyatira were the ones who tolerated Jezebel in their midst.

– “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—’He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' --as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.” {Revelation 2:26-28}

“He Who Overcomes”

• Christians at Sardis were responsible for their deadness.

– “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead... He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life…” {Revelation 3:1,5}

“He Who Overcomes”

• Christians at Laodicea were responsible for their lukewarmness.– “I know your works, that you are neither cold

nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. …To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” {Revelation 3:15,16,21}

“He Who Overcomes”

“Smooth Things” Do Not Help

• How does saying “smooth things” help?

– “That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD; who say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.’” {Isaiah 30:9,10}

• How does saying “smooth things” help?– “They have also healed the hurt of My people

slightly, saying, 'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. Therefore, they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down, says the LORD.” {Jeremiah 6:14,15}

“Smooth Things” Do Not Help

• How does saying “smooth things” help?– “How shall I console you? To what shall I liken you,

O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare with you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? For your ruin is spread wide as the sea; who can heal you? Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not uncovered your iniquity, to bring back your captives, but have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.” {Lamentations 2:13,14}

“Smooth Things” Do Not Help

• How does saying “smooth things” help?– “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the

words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, ‘You shall have peace;’ And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.’” {Jeremiah 23:16,17}

“Smooth Things” Do Not Help

• How does saying “smooth things” help?– “I have not sent these prophets, yet they

ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings.” {Jeremiah 23:21,22}

“Smooth Things” Do Not Help

We Should Have anAttitude Like Job

• Job wanted to know his sins.– “How many are my iniquities and sins?

Make me know my transgression and my sin.” {Job 13:23}

• Why?

• He wanted to correct his mistakes.

We Must Endure Sound Doctrine

• Only truth can make one right with God.– “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.

Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound

doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they

have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned

aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure

afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

{2 Timothy 4:2-5}

How Can We Feel Good About Ourselves?

• By knowing we are where God wants us to be.– “My little children, let us not love in word or in

tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.” {1 John 3:18-21}

• By knowing we are where God wants us to be.– “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” {Philippians 4:8,9}

How Can We Feel Good About Ourselves?

Through Guilt, We Learn to Love God

Matthew 21:31: The tax-collectors and prostitutes entered God’s kingdom before the Pharisees.

Luke 18:9-14: The publican was justified, but not the Pharisee.

Luke 7:40-47: The one who is forgiven much loves much. The one who is forgiven little loves little.

Three Reactions to Guilt

Pharisees: Destroy those who expose your sin.

Judas: Destroy yourself.

Peter: Repent and serve God.

“Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.” {Psalm 119:5,6}

Modern Attempt to Remove Guilt

June 1, 2009: President Obama proclaimed June as Pride

Month for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and

Transgendered/Transsexuals.

He glorified the sin of homosexuality

He said those against it were dividing the country.

Advocated repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Advocated that criticism of homosexuality be considered a hate

crime.

Advocated the recognition of civil unions between homosexuals and

granting them the rights enjoyed by married heterosexuals.

Will You Become a Christian?

Hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17)

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24)

Repent of your sins (Acts 17:30)

Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9-10)

Be Baptized for forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38)

Live Faithfully until you die (Revelation 2:10)