Freedom from Guilt
The traditional responses to guilt are to Bury/Minimize it, Blame Others, or Beat Ourselves Up. These responses are not new. They have been the human default for centuries. King David in the Old Testament attempted to bury/minimize his guilt. He wrote about that experience in Psalm 32:2-5:
"When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long"
King David experienced physical ailments due trying to hide his sin. For "The Blame Game" we look to Genesis 3:9-13. It tells how in the Garden of Eden after they sinned, both Eve and Adam blamed others when confronted with their own guilt.
"Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Adam blamed Eve and God. Then Eve blamed the serpent. Neither wanted to admit their own guilt. As for beating one's self up, back to King David we go in Psalms 38:6.
"I am bent over and greatly bowed down;
I go mourning all day long."
While the self-deprecation may sound pious, it is still focused on self. It keeps us in a place of shame. So what are we to do since the usual choices of burying it, blaming others, and beating ourselves up don't free us from guilt?
The first step it to admit our guilt. Being honest about it is the only way to freedom. The second step is to accept responsibility for our part. Accepting responsibility is what helps us learn and grow. The final step is to ask for forgiveness. While forgiveness may not always be extended from others, we are assured God will forgive us.
"He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion."
- Proverbs 28:13
When dealing with guilt, it is also important to know how God wants us to respond to the guilt of others. He wants us to:
- Forgive instantly - Isaiah 55:7
- Forgive completely - Colossians 2:13-14
- Forgive repeatedly - Hebrews 7:25
- Forgive freely - Ephesians 1:7
God wants us to forgive others in the same manner in which He forgives us. Thankfully He doesn't expect us to do this on our own. God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us do this.