Sometimes we can feel guilty for doing something that we knew was wrong in the first place. Then we realize our mistake and fall into guilt, which is a cycle of feeling bad about ourselves over what we’ve done and taking steps to make amends. When this cycle gets out of control it can cause us to feel more guilt, which leads to even more wrong-doing, which in turn leads to more guilt that tempts us to make even more mistakes. This can go on and on until our thoughts become consumed by feelings of guilt. It’s natural for even the most grounded faith-filled thinkers among us to wander into this cycle sometimesāit’s how we learn and grow.
Don’t fall into the trap of guilt! This comes from the enemy and he wants you to stay in the position of guilt so that you will not be able to see your prayers answered.
Remember, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). This is God’s promise to us. The Holy Spirit will help you fight off feelings of guilt and temptation. We don’t have to live a life consumed by guilt and condemnation, we can rejoice in our salvation through Christ!
Below you will find 4 steps to get out of guilt and get back into faith:
1. Acknowledge your sin
We all make mistakes, but we can’t deny them or pretend they don’t exist. The first step is to accept the fact that you’ve done something wrong and ask forgiveness for it from God and those you may have hurt in the process.
God is love and He wants the best for us and He wants us to succeed in every area. Because He loves us, He disciplines us (Hebrews 12:6). Nevertheless, with His discipline we can have peace of mind that no one else can give. It’s a peace that comes from knowing everything will be all right.
We are not perfect and we will never be perfect. But thanks to Christ, we don’t have to be perfect to enjoy the wonderful blessings available to those who believe in Him. Now is the time for you to take this journey on faith!
2. Receive your forgiveness
Accept God’s forgiveness wholeheartedly, knowing that He loves you and He wants the best for you.
Thoughts of guilt might come to your mind every now and then but make the decision straight away to forgive yourself and walk in that forgiveness by meditating on His Word.
The Word of GOD is our two-edged sword. We can experience the power and conviction of His Word when we commit its truths to memory and use them in our lives. In this way, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.
3. Strengthen your spirit
This step is vital to find new ways to operate your life in a way that pleases the Lord, so make it your habit to pray, read your Bible, and draw close to God by talking with Him.
It is important in life to always use the Word of God as your shield. When you are walking through rough times, remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity (2 Timothy 1:7). Remember that He has given us a spirit of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Tim 1:7).
As you decide to strengthen your spirit, the Holy Spirit will help you fight off the feelings of guilt and temptation so that you can move forward into the next chapter of your faith journey with confidence.
4. Fight the good fight of faith
Don’t let your past determine your future. “Past” is not only about the things you’ve done that you didn’t feel good about. It’s also about the things that have been done to you, including the negative words and thoughts from other people directed at you which sometimes may be forgotten about until they resurface years later and cause guilt in your life.
This doesn’t mean that you will someday forget about what happened, but the Holy Spirit will help you to look at the situation in a different way, which will allow you to move forward without resentment and guilt.
If you feel like you’ve not been living up to His standards, repent right away. Remember that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Choosing to do this, will allow you to walk away from the guilt and be filled with joy and peace in your heart!
Get your Seeding Faith and be reminded of God’s promises:
