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What can I do about guilt?


Introduction. Guilt is simply defined as "a feeling of responsibility or remorse for some real or imagined offense, crime, etc. (Random House College Dictionary, pg. 587). Since God is the ultimate authority regarding responsibility and right and wrong, let us allow Him to answer our good question.

The Bible illustrates guilt and provides the remedy. Peter charged some with crucifying the sinless Son of God (the crime, Acts 2: 23, 36). Some of these murderers realized and accepted the responsibility of their act. "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, ‘men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (Acts 2: 37) Hence, they are experiencing remorse or guilt. Notice how intelligently they are approaching their guilt - "what shall we do?" People compound their problem of guilt when they do not organize and properly channel their emotions toward finding a solution to their guilt. Peter tells these non-Christians what to do: "Then Peter said unto them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...'"(vs. 38). Christians who encounter a guilt situation obtain forgiveness through confession and prayer (1 John 1: 7-10).

The remedy for severe guilt - the remission of sin. There are primarily three Greek words translated remission. The collective idea is: release, a passing by, and send away our guilt or cause of guilt. Beloved, if those who murdered Jesus could be forgiven and thus freed of crippling guilt, do you not think you can experience the same release for your offenses?

Conclusion. Guilt is a friend in that it convicts us of wrong we have done. However, if not addressed and removed, guilt can destroy us.

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