1 John 1:8-9 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Sometimes unexpected guests show up. If you haven’t done your house cleaning chores, it’s hard to invite them in because they will see the mess. Guilt works that way sometimes. But one of the benefits of open and honest confession before God and receiving His forgiveness is this:

We no longer have guilt in our lives. (Romans 3:24-26), (Romans 8:1) 

The devil, the world and our conscience condemn us with guilt. The world charges us as guilty of hypocrisy, intolerance, self righteousness, adultery, and other sins. The devil charges us as guilty when we fall short of God’s glory in these ways. “Satan” means adversary. “Devil” literally means “one who throws things against you.” He is called (Rev. 12:10), “the accuser of the brethren,” “who accuses them before our God day and night.” Guilt is one of his favorite weapons.

1. Guilt limits, damages, destroys, and even prevents relationships. Think about this: Some people are never saved because they are too embarrassed to ask Jesus to save them from the sins they are so ashamed of. So, they never enter into a relationship with Him. That is guilt at work. The same thing applies to relationships with other people. We hold back certain truths about ourselves because we don’t want others to know about them. This automatically limits relationships. When the truth comes out, a limited relationship becomes a destroyed relationship because of the lies and lack of trust.
2. Guilt destroys confidence. “For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me”.                   – Psalm 40:12
3. Guilt keeps us stuck in the past. Guilt cannot change the past just like worry cannot change the future. It just makes today miserable. Eventually it will destroy you. What if you had to drive to work, but the windshield of your car was blacked out. You are only allowed to navigate using the rearview mirrors, trying to determine where you are going (the future) by looking behind you (the past). Sooner or later, you’re going to crash!

These are some of the ways the enemy will use guilt against us but we can thank God that we are saved by His grace and His grace is perfect!

The saving work was done by Jesus Christ – the Perfect one

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”         -Romans7:24 – 8:1