Guilty

Posted on November 1, 2018 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:1a)

I have found that Satan loves to use guilt in a believer’s life to keep him trapped in a prison of condemnation.  In Revelation 12:10 the Bible tells us that Satan is our “accuser.”  He loves it when a believer takes the bait and feels guilty and condemned.  His work is done.  It’s very hard to live in the freedom Christ gives you as a believer if you go into another prison of condemnation.  Jesus paid the price for that in full!  Jesus has set us free so why do we want to go right back into prison?

What beautiful words!  If we feel guilty because of sin there’s an answer for it.  First ask God for forgiveness then accept His cleansing love. Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross set us free! If the great “I Am,” the sovereign and holy God of the universe is not condemning us, why are we?  Are we saying that Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t sufficient?

In all we do there are consequences, some consequences are life-changing while others may not even be noticeable.  Instead of listening to the voice of Satan condemning us, we need to listen to the Holy Spirit of God living in us.  Listening to Him will result in conviction of sin (if there is unrepented sin), forgiveness, restoration and freedom.  If we listen to the Holy Spirit instead of Satan, we will deal with godly sorrow…but that’s a good thing.  God can and will take all our junk and use it for His glory if we allow Him to.

If we have sinned against someone, we can ask his forgiveness and then give it to God and be free.  We can’t change things in the past, but we do have today…the day that God has given us.  Allow Christ to live through you, and give Him the glory.

Hebrews 10:22 says, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Don’t continue to fall for the lies of the accuser!  In faith believe God, you have been washed with pure water…no longer condemned…the prison door isn’t locked…all you have to do is believe and walk through the door and live in the freedom.

Guilt has no place in a believer’s life because Christ has already paid the penalty of sin and there is no reason for Him to pay it again!  If you feel regret or godly sorrow it’s a perfect opportunity to remember that Jesus has already forgiven you…then thank Him and praise Him for His glorious gift to you!

Mary Ann Kiernan

This devotional was first published in Real Victory for Real Life Volume 2.

Mary Ann recently retired after 11 years on staff at America’s Keswick, where she served both in women’s ministry and as the Intake Manager at the Colony of Mercy. She plans to become a regular contributor to Victory Call after a cruise with her husband. This devotional originally appeared in Real Victory for Real Life, Volume 2.

The Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 20-21 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “To be justified means more than to be declared “not guilty.” It actually means to be declared righteous before God. It means God has imputed or charged the guilt of our sin to His Son, Jesus Christ, and has imputed or credited Christ’s righteousness to us.”– Jerry Bridges

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord. — Lamentations 3:26