Have you ever been in the presence of God in prayer, wondering why you weren’t connecting? Did you have a vague feeling of defeat, knowing you probably sinned more times than you could count, and that you just weren’t making progress in your walk with God? And then your mind condemns you. You ask God for forgiveness, and the sin doesn’t go away. You’re just sitting there feeling defeated, and how can you pray?
One way that you can know that you are experiencing false guilt is if the enemy throws in your face a sin from the past that you already repented of and that God already forgave you for. I John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If we have already repented of the sin, it’s gone. Stand on the truth. Don’t let the enemy throw it back in your face.
Secondly, God is never vague about sin. He is definite and specific. If you feel a general sense of defeat and yuckiness, you can know that it’s not from God. God wants us to walk in victory over sin (I Corinthians 15:57). Our enemy, however, doesn’t want us to have victory. So he uses our hormones to make us feel defeated. But we do not have to be fooled by his schemes “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (II Corinthians 2:11).
True guilt is when God convicts you of a recognizable sin that you haven’t repented of. There is a definite solution to the problem, which is confession and repentance. The sin will go away instantly. If it doesn’t, I’ve picked up the phone to call a mature sister in Christ, who prays for me. At that point I am always released from sin.
Do not let the enemy tangle you up in a web of lies that keeps you away from having fellowship with God. Conviction and condemnation are different, even though they feel similar. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2
Hi Susan! Thanks so much for dropping by! Romans 8:1-2 is one of my favorite scriptures. Jesus is so awesome isn’t He? He died for each and every one of our sins and reassured us that once we repent of them, they have been completely forgiven and forgotten. Thanks for sharing the insight…have a blessed rest of your week!
Yes, I’m constantly amazed that a holy God would fully forgive sin, and it’s because of what Christ did for us. I’m glad I don’t have to feel that I am under condemnation.
When you are truly sorry, repentance and confession are good. God is very forgiving to those who are truly sorry.
God forgives us as far as the east is from the west if we have truly repented. (Psalm 103:12)
Great post and very true. I liked how you put that, that when its something God is showing you, there is a solution… unlike what the enemy is showing you. A good reminder and so true!
Yes, with God we can get rid of our sin and move forward. We don’t have to feel stuck and defeated.