This will be the last post in this series. Guilt is a terrible master. Freedom of guilt can only be obtained by coming into the presence of God and being honest (I John 1:9). There is another type of guilt that can lead one into depression and that is called "false guilt." False guilt is where you feel guilty when you are not. Many have a standard of belief not based on anything other than something they have been told. You break that standard, you will feel guilty, even though it might not be wrong. If you believe something to be wrong and break that standard, you will feel guilty, even if God's word says it is okay. People use "false guilt" to try to control others in situations.
You have known of those who say, "If you really loved me, you would..." That is a statement of control by the usage of "false guilt." One uses the power of guilt to get another to give in to their wants. Children learn to use it on parents to control their parents. Preachers (and elders) try to control congregations through "false guilt." They guilt the brethren into giving or serving. "If you loved the Lord, you would..." That's a horrible thing to do to people. It is completely against Scriptures. "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:1) To use condemnation on one in Christ who is under no condemnation is a hideous sin.
What is the solution for "false guilt"? You have to learn the holy Scriptures to see where you really stand with God. If you are standing fully assured on His promises and His word, their standard of judgment does not matter and you know it! This is why God's word teaches us to constantly be searching for the truth.
The young lady ran off with a young man. The family called the police and they brought her back and had the young man arrested. When the young lady came to the assembly (without one ounce of humility and repentance), everyone began patting her on the back and telling her they loved her and felt sorry for her. She walked into my office and I asked her when she was going to repent? Her heart and attitude was not right. She became hostile, indignant toward me and spoke how others loved her. (She could not recognize true love as I was trying to get her to turn to the Lord!) She left my office and immediately began accusing me with vicious words, trying to get me to back down. She was trying to put me under "false guilt"!
If one does not know God's word, they can easily fall under "false guilt". The word of God works on our inner being, our spiritual side. Too many are not serious about the word and they hold to little things they always believed in never searching to see if their standard of belief lined up with the word of God. If you are accused of wrong, search your heart and repent if it is true. If you are repentant and someone accuses you, do not allow their assessment of you to mean anything! They must take their charge to the Lord and He will speak for you (Rom. 8:31-34). I pray this study has helped some and if you see something that I have miscommunicated or have a question, please feel free to ask! Let's move deeper into God!!
1 comment:
Brent, don't lose heart if you don't see comments on your articles. Many are reading and encouraged by them, myself included. I look forward to reading them everyday and gaining some insight on things I (and we all) need to be mindful of. You always encourage me to continue to grow and the Lord will bless you for your love of us who might be a little 'slow'.
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