Guilt and shame can be crippling. As I write this, a local organization that ministers to post-abortive men and women reports that a man who agreed to his girlfriend’s abortion was so distraught over his role in killing his unborn child that he took his own life. His girlfriend is now struggling both with the guilt and shame over the abortion and the grief of losing her boyfriend in this way.
In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul talks about his “thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment” him. It’s possible that he was referring to the weight of guilt and shame he must have carried from the years that he persecuted believers, even consenting to their death. Paul alludes to his shame when he confesses, “I do not deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:9)
For many of us, the guilt and shame we bear may not seem as serious compared with the above two examples. Despite that, we all deeply regret past decisions, actions, or words maliciously spoken. We all know what it feels like to carry that load of guilt and shame and it can be debilitating, affecting our relationships and all areas of our lives.
How do we effectively shed such a burden of guilt and shame? There’s only one way—through the forgiveness and cleansing that Jesus Christ offers. The writer of Hebrews urges, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22) And John wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
We see this truth played out in Paul’s life. He wrote to Timothy:
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. …Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:13)
Through faith in Jesus, we too enjoy forgiveness and cleansing of sin and the removal of the awful guilt and shame that sin heaps on us. Praise Him for His grace and mercy!
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:14, 17
Personal Application: What are you feeling a weight of guilt and shame over? Confess it to Jesus and let Him cleanse you and remove the guilt and shame. Encourage someone else today with this devotional.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5