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Guilt and Repentance

The Christian and his Emotions Session 4

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It is the Lord's will that we live righteously.

Since we are imperfect and we stumble, living righteously means repairing wrongdoing when it occurs.

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Keep His commandments.

Living righteously.

Living righteously means repairing wrongdoing when it occurs.

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  1. Admit wrong.
    • Have I done an objective wrong that has damaged a personal relationship with God or others?
    • Wrong approaches: blame-excuse approach and emphasis on intentions.
    • If we have not done anything wrong, then we have no responsibility.
  2. Renounce wrongdoing.
  3. Ask for forgiveness.
  4. Make restitution.

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God wants us to be sorry for our sins, but not to be self-condemning.

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Contrition vs Self-condemnation

There is a great difference between contrition (sorrow for sin or repentance or being convicted of sin) and self-condemnation. What does it mean?

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Contrition

Godly grief.

Contrition produces a repentance that leads to salvation; it leads to a change in behavior for the better; it derives from a concern for others; it is directed towards the wrongdoing; it is liberating.

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Self-condemnation

Worldy grief.

Self-condemnation leads to no positive change in behavior nor to turning away from sin; it derives from self-concern; it is directed towards ourselves, not towards the wrong; it leads to self-hatred, self-rejection, discouragement, depression, self-pity; it takes away the ability to serve.

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The Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin and genuine contrition.

Satan brings condemnation. Both point out wrong but for different reasons and with different objectives.

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Genuine Contrition

The gift of the Holy Spirit

  1. Image of a heavenly courtroom. God a judge, we as defendants, Satan as prosecutor, Jesus/Holy Spirit as the defense.

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  • Satan wants to destroy us, and accusation is a favorite tactic. The Holy Spirit will bring us to contrition but never to self-condemnation.

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  • Failure to distinguish contrition from self-condemnation can cause us to accept as virtue what in fact is the devil's tool.

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The Lord wants us to repent for real wrongdoing, but not become overly scrupulous.

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Repent for real wrongdoing.

  1. Wrongdoing is an act that we commit in either thought, word or deed which violates God's standards of righteousness and for which He holds us accountable.

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  • Wrongdoing does not include temptations of feeling or thought, small faults, idiosyncrasies, mistakes, failures in performance and weaknesses.

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Right Approach to Problems

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Right Approach to Problems

  1. There is no substitute for righteous living. No sin, no guilt feelings.
  2. But many will fall into wrongdoing. If yes, repair the wrong.
  3. Avoid being over scrupulous.
  4. Expose self-condemnation for what it is, refusing to let it masquerade as a Christian virtue or as objective self-evaluation.
  5. If there are guilt feelings, go through your past and clear up wrong that may be there.
  6. In MFC, what's important is the way we treat one another. We must not make one another guilty.

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  1. There is no substitute for righteous living. No sin, no guilt feelings.

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2. Many will fall into wrongdoing. If yes, repair the wrong.

  1. Ask forgiveness. Grown in freedom to admit wrongdoing.
  2. Don't let feeling rule you.
  3. Treat feeling guilt like any other emotional problem. Base yourself on God's truth.

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3. Avoid being over scrupulous.

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4. Expose self-condemnation for what it is, refusing to let it masquerade as a Christian virtue�or as objective self-evaluation.

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5. If there are guilt feelings, go through your past and clear up wrong that may be there.

  1. Start with biggest problem and work down.
  2. General confession can help.

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6. In MFC, what's important is the way we treat one another. We must not make one another guilty.

  1. Be straightforward in dealing and talking with one another.
  2. Learn to forgive. Set one another free.

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Living righteously

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit;

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whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by others.

Romans 14:17-18

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Guilt and Repentance

The Christian and his Emotions Session 4

Missionary Families of Christ