Psychological coping mechanism dating back to ancient times. Generally used up until the 1940’s, but sometimes under a different name. Simple philosophy that can be adapted to most of life’s various difficulties and hardships.

Series Outline What is it? What does it do to me? How do I kill it?

Some Facts About Guilt Before becoming a Christian, guilt is meant to bring you to Christ. After becoming a Christian, guilt is meant to bring you to Christ. A Christian should experience guilt in one of two ways: – I’ve sinned, and my guilt leads to me ask Jesus for forgiveness. – I’ve been forgiven, and my guilt needs to be forgotten.

Secret Weapon Recap Fear – Love Discouragement – Humility Loneliness – Introspection Guilt – Acceptance

What is it? You’ve done something wrong. You know you’ve done something wrong. You have not received forgiveness: – You need to accept Jesus as Savior. – You need to confess your sin to your Savior. Still unresolved, you are burdened and troubled.

What does it do to me? Silence – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” Psalm 66:18 – Unwilling to talk to God about our sin, we find ourselves unable to talk to Him about anything. – We feel a sickening silence in our heart. – Manifests psychological dysfunction and physiological ailments.

What does it do to me? Sorrow – We feel that we are not in control as we were before. – We find it hard to genuinely enjoy just about anything. – Our outlook is depressed. – Not exactly the life of the party.

What does it do to me? Secrecy – Unresolved guilt demands a latticework of guarded secrets, half-truths, and outright lies. – These compound to make the overall situation worse, if not “hopeless.” – We find it difficult to meaningfully connect with the closest people in our lives. – This secrecy dulls our conviction about right and wrong within ourselves and others.

How do I kill it? Before too long, God will send a Nathan on an intercept course with our lives. A conversation or circumstance will arouse your conviction and give you a glimpse of the exit. Decision time: – Put a sword through it. – Recede back into the cycle for another round.

How do I kill it? Accept FULL responsibility. – “I did it.” No passive terminology here. Acknowledge the damage you caused. – Don’t follow the world’s example of watering down the impact of sin. Address your confession to God. – No priest, psychologist, or parent can get you out of this. Accept His forgiveness.

Cleansing the Filth The hoarder’s house and the dumpster. – Looks good on the outside, nightmare on the inside. The only way to deal with filth is to purge it, not move it into different corners. The only way to remove sin is by the blood of Jesus…precious yet serious imagery. – OT mercy seat above the Ark. – NT “covering” of the blood of Jesus.

What will I get in return? Removal of the sin. It no longer has power over you, nor does God hold it against you. – There were no sacrifices available to David to atone for either adultery or murder. Restoration of joy! – Weight lifted, shackles broken. Renewal of fellowship. – Communication and communion with God. – Renewed focus and purpose.

Bonus Slide Are you struggling because you want guilt to hang around someone else’s neck? Are you feeling guilty about the right things?