Guilt & Shame: Confusing

"The problem is that we feel guilty without actually being guilty. There is much confusion about what the Scriptures actually teach about guilt and shame."

Guilt

Guilt has two common

meanings. One is the state of having done a wrong (e.g. he is guilty of stealing the stereo). Another is a painful feeling of self-reproach resulting from the belief that we have done a wrong (e.g. he felt guilty for not coming home for Christmas).

On one hand, the Bible refers to guilt as a state, not a feeling. Rather than describing a feeling of guilt, the Bible describes a legal condition of guilt: "You have become guilty because of the blood you have shed" (Ezekiel 22:4).

As a judge pronounces a defendant guilty, God has declared us legally guilty. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). By official pronouncement we are guilty for having broken the law. We have missed the mark of righteousness and need his solution, the Cross.

One the other hand, feelings of guilt—as opposed to the state of guilt—are basically our consciences condemning us, telling us we're bad. Guilt feelings are painful, often causing us to criticize and condemn ourselves even more. They usually result from a sense that our actions have hurt someone. We may feel guilty for disappointing someone or setting a limit with them.

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If you're motivated by guilt or shame, you cannot also be motivated by love.

A strict guilt-inducing conscience is not from God.


Read more from Cloud & Townsend's 12 Christian Beliefs That Can Drive You Crazy and buy the book.

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