Good morning Church and welcome back!
Today we will continue with the Part 2 of our ongoing series “Enemy’s greatest weapon – Guilt”.
Let us begin today’s message with a short story.
Illustration: A small boy, Johhny, was gifted a slingshot by someone on his birthday. He was in love with this new toy. During a customory holiday at his grandparent’s home (along with his sister Mary), he was playing at the backyard and he saw a duck. Using that slingshot, he shot that duck dead. This wasn’t expected by this boy and he got scared as he killed his grandmother’s pet. So johnny thought of burying the duck however his sister saw him. Now during the daily chores, Mary kept on passing on her work to Johnny, since Johnny was terrified to be exposed. Guilt was what kept Johnny working on behalf of his sister. We will conclude this story at the end of service, so wait for the conclusion.
Enemy wants you to remind you of your past and he wants to use one of his greatest weapons, i.e. guilt.
One of the heaviest burden that we carry is “Guilt.” Something you must have done, you may carry that guilt your entire life and that is what enemy wants you to do.
If we notice, there are two kinds of guilts:
1- Healthy
2- Unhealthy.
Healthy guilt is a guilt from God and that is a good thing. It is good because it tells you to change your lifestyle and work towards God. With this guilt, you are conscious about the presence of God and you will think twice before making intentonal errors. Healthy guilt is balanced, logical and sensible.
Unhealthy guilt is the things that we have done in the past due to which we carry a burden of uncertainty all our lives
And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”
Revelation 12:10
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
No matter what guilt you have but you must remember that if you carry guilt from the past, it will cause you a mental paralysis over time.
Michael McKee, PhD, vice chairman of The Cleveland Clinic’s psychiatry and psychology department once said, “Some people don’t have the positive guilt that keeps you on the straight and narrow. Others have guilt that eats away at their soul; they rarely have a moment of peace.”
We are guilty, we show the following expressions and symptoms.
1: We attempt to be a better person.
We may notice people plan a new year resolution and you know why? Because they failed the previous year. But again the next year, same thing happens and they plan a new resolution the next new year and this goes in and on.
2: People live in refusal or denial.
People say that we are broadminded and this attitude leads them to make decisions on they own and end up with failures. Bible says that the path is narrow and the gates are wide. These peoole reclassified what sin is and they set their own standards. This is how enemy has grappled them down for them to oversee their guilt and deceive themselves and the others. They simply justify themselves and say that God knows their heart. When you say that your are right, the Bible says that you are deceiving yourself.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
According to few studies, it has been observed that sometimes people even overeat, exercise more, go for shopping, drink and do drugs etc. just because they feel guilty. They make their own rules and the one who makes their own rules, they end up frustating and feeling more guilty.
3: Comparing yourself with others.
People blame others for their own failures. They are the ine to be blamed for all the wrongdoings but this is not how it works.
Don’t simply blame somebody! We are not called to compare ourselves.
4: Becoming more obsessed with their guilt.
People at tines say that I feel so rejected, guilty, I am a sinner, dejected etc. Church, understand when you understand your guilty feelings, it will free you.
Psalmist David understood the magnitude of his guilt.
David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
2 Samuel 12:13(a)
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Psalm 51:2-4
The greatest king and a person of his time, a man who understood God’s heart, understood his guilt however he also knew that God is the only answer and that God will show His grace and mercy.
Illustration contd.: If you remember the illustration from above… Johnny, finally frustrated with all the blackmailing from his sister Mary and whenever he saw his slingshot, he used to get terrified. Finally, he admitted his wrong doing to his grandmother. He said that he never thought that duck will die. Grandma responded by forgiving. And then when Mary met him to do aome more work on her behalf, but Johnny denied to do so. Mary threatened that she will inform grandma, and Johnny said, “She already knows!” Johnny smiled and the story ends here.
For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
Psalm 38:4
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Psalm 51:8
For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
Psalm 38:4
As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12
Church, you cannot change your past, but you can change yourself with God’s help. Look unto God and He will free you. All you need to do is say, “God, I am sorry!”
Handover yourself unto God and ask Him for your restoration. Restoration of Joy and your salvation. It doesn’t natter how long have you been under strees or how guiltier you are, God can heal and renew your hearts.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:17
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
Isaiah 1:18
Do not listen to the voice of enemy but listen to God.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Hebrews 8:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12
D.L. Moody once said, “The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder.”
Dear church, be at guard and do not let enemy trap you with his weapon, which is guilt. You are a special creation and God loves you. Do not listen to the voice of enemy, because he wants to condemn you. Listen to God who wants to restore you and set your hearts free of any guilt.
Dear Church, are you feeling rejuvenated? If so, praise God. Thank you for joining us and we look forward to see you again next Sunday. God bless!