Dealing with the Problem of Sin and Guilt
It is not unusual for Christians to feel guilty because of sin in their lives, and to have problems dealing with that guilt and sin. We think that once we have become Christians, we will no longer have a struggle with sin, and that through Christ we will have power to overcome it. Actually, Paul talks about his struggle with sin in Romans 7:18,19: “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.”
When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we experienced the wonderful cleansing power of His blood, which was shed on the cross for us over 2,000 years ago. We had an overwhelming feeling of freedom and release from the bondage of sin and death when we first repented from our old lives and turned to Christ. Then, the following dilemma began to occur as the weeks and months went by – we found ourselves tempted to return to sinful patterns of thinking and acting. It became difficult to accept that we would still continue to sin because we are children of the King: righteous, new creations in Christ, called to be holy as He is holy.
Life Lesson: Time management
Are you still growing spiritually?: Check your compass and let God lead you
But the truth is, we are still sinners and will always battle with sin in our lives because we are inwardly bent towards sin. That is the reason God says in His Word that we need to confess our sins and rely on His promise to cleanse us:
- “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ – and you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).
- “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
- “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).
- “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
These verses remind us that:
- As Christians we will still sin.
- Though we are commanded not to sin, there is forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
- When we sin, there is a way to restore fellowship with God:
- Confess that sin to God and to others.
- Repent from the sin, asking God to change the direction of our lives.
- Pray for each other; ask someone to pray for us.
- Trust that God’s promises are true: He has forgiven us and no longer condemns us.
Who we still are
Sometimes pride keeps us from admitting our sin or keeps us from forgiving ourselves when we sin as Christians. When this happens we need to tell ourselves the truth about who we still are… sinners saved by grace. Don’t let pride keep you from enjoying your relationship with God and don’t believe that you are now above the need for God’s ongoing grace in your life.
You can begin living in God’s grace and accept His ongoing, unconditional forgiveness for the sins you still battle, or the memory of past sin in your life. Realize that as a Christian, you still need to recognize and confess sin in your life. You can have grace for yourself based on God’s grace and forgiveness for you when He paid the penalty for all your sins once and for all through His Son’s death on the cross 2,000 years ago.
Begin to bask in the forgiveness of Christ! You are no longer condemned. You are forgiven! You are His child. You can make a new start every time you sin… just sincerely confess it and ask God to change you from the inside out. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If you have repeatedly fallen into the same sin such as pornography, lying, unforgiveness, substance abuse, gossiping, etc., then go to your pastor, a mentor or a Christian counselor and ask for their guidance, prayer, and instruction on how to begin to flee the temptation to sin, to be accountable and to make amends for your sin.
Memorize the following Scriptures so that you can begin relying on God’s Word and the assurance of forgiveness He offers you in Christ, rather than the self-condemnation you may be thinking and feeling.
- “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:10-14, italics mine).
- “In him (Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7, italics mine).
- “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:10-12, italics mine).
Remember that God’s love “covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). We don’t know our hearts very well, but God knows us and His forgiveness is complete and eternal because Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for our sins and “not for our sins only, but the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).
Hi, I real enjoy this reading, intact it means so much to me. It has deliver from a lot problem, I realling appreciate, God bless you in Jesus name. Amen. Thanks.
Hi Ele, I want you to live a life that is pleasing to God but not because you are afraid of going to Hell but because you are transformed by the power of Jesus Christ in you. John wrote, “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.” (1John 4:17-19) So it is a motivation of the love of God and not a fear of punishment that we live a life free from sin and pride. You see, when a person has received the free gift that Jesus offers us all by His death and resurrection, all of our sin (past present and future) is placed on Jesus and in exchange we receive the righteousness of God; “He [God] made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2Corinthians 5:21) And the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf was all-inclusive, “And what God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time. Under the old covenant, the priest stands before the altar day after day, offering sacrifices that can never take away sins. But our High Priest offered himself to God as one sacrifice for sins, good for all time.” (Hebrews 10:10-12)
I cannot comment on what Tony Kemp saw but I do know what the Bible has promised, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith– and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesian 2:8-9)
thank you this is much needed and helpful good article
sorry i meant christians in Hell..he talks about about a vision of hell of the sid roth show…
Hi i have a question as a born again believer, if i die nd i have unconfessed sin even if i am earnestly trying to renew my mind every day, trying to live for Jesus rather than myself and not follow the ‘flesh’, trying to love people and so on …despite this…will i go to hell??? i ask this because i ssaw Tony Kemp on sid roth show who talked about christians in heaven and talked about counterfiet grace. i can clearly see that there are passages in the NT where loss of salvation is discussed such as 2 Peter 2 and Hebrews 10 v 26. can you help as im scared now. Thx
Dear Liz, many people struggle in some area of sin that is very hard for them to overcome. It is a matter of surrendering that area of our lives to God and ask His Holy Spirit to help us overcome that area of weakness.
Here is a link that will help explain the “Holy Spirit” working in your life to aid in overcoming the flesh:
http://powertochange.com/experience/spiritual-growth/walkinspirit1/
Please note that there are four parts of this series. When you read through the first one make certain to go forward in reading the other parts so you will fully benefit from it all.
In addition, do you have a friend or two that you feel comfortable about sharing this area of weakness with that could hold you accountable? Sometimes, having an accountability partner is one of the best ways in helping us overcome an area of sin in our lives. Also, having a person pray with you regarding that area of weakness is vital as well!
I know that God’s grace is continually there for us especially in our moments of weakness, however, I find myself struggling with the same sins for over a decade and nothing seems to be changing in my life. I have prayed, fasted and sought counseling but my flesh seems to always win, i’m at a point where i’m getting tired of asking for forgiveness for the same sins. So my question is does God’s grace run out for a person like me ?
Harry there is a thin line between true humility and lack of trust in the sufficiency of God. Remember Paul wrote, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners– of whom I am the worst.” (1Timothy 1:15) So you are in good company by seeing yourself as scum of the earth. But it is important not to forget the first part of the verse, “Jesus came to save sinners”. Another verse that I hold onto is 2Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” You may have been the scum of the earth, and you still have not seen complete victory over the sin in your life, but if you have put your trust in Jesus’ sacrifice as the payment for your sin then right now you stand before God clothed in His righteousness, pure and blameless.
Knowing your standing before God and knowing that His Spirit is there to guide you every step of your life you can then look at Galatians 5:16 and claim the promise that, “if we walk by the Spirit [focus our attention on Him and look to Him to guide us into a life that is pleasing to God] we WILL NOT satisfy the desires of the sinful nature.” I know it is an amazing concept but you can know that God does not lie–if you look to the Spirit to lead you every moment of every day you will not sin! So don’t get caught up in trying to stop sinning; instead focus all of your energy in knowing, hearing and following the Spirit! Your life will never be the same. Don’t let your mind get consumed by thoughts of what you have done, but look for what the Spirit is leading you to do. When He brings thoughts of what you have done, ask for forgiveness and then move on to what He wants you to do to make it right. And then obey!
Forging myself has been the hardest thing to do. I often think, how could i of all people do such a thing? Or why am I the scum of the earth, that i always do wrong? At some point i even regret being alive or having ever been born. And all this i do despite the fact that i know God is faithful and just to forgive when i sincerely go to him, asking for forgiveness.
It is so sad to c that ppl dont believe in God because of a hard heart. No matter what happened in ones life, rape, abuse of any kind, close death, whatever, it does not give an excuse not to believe. The sad part is, if they dont change, this Almighty God they dont believe in, on death day they will c and too late shall be the cry. We need to pray for these ppl in a serious manner for only Holy Spirit can draw them. For the guilt info, thank you. God is great!
Hi GFBD, I do appreciate your willingness to initiate a conversation about this. You obviously have some very strong opinions about the issue of the truth of God. How have you come to the decision that God is not real?
Hello Ina,I don’t think that asking for forgiveness is ever a wrong thing. If you are doing it to earn ‘Brownie Points’ with God or other people I would question the sincerity of your apology. But the act of humbling yourself and righting a wrong is a positive necessary part of relationship. Even if the person you apologize to may not be aare of any offense it is going to strengthen your relationship to approach them and ask for their forgiveness. Use this as an opportunity to get to know this person in a deeper way. Let them know the journey that God has taken you on over these last five years. Perhaps God has something to teach to them from your obedience. So I would say do it. Pray and ask that God gives you proper motives and proper words to communicate well with this person and watch what He will do.
God isn’t real you religious [expletive removed]
Hi,
Thank you for the article. I would like to ask: When you sin against an individual, sometimes without knowing, do you have a responsibility before God to ask them to forgive you ? I sinned against an individual, i was not outwardly rude, but i did not display a welcoming attitude (this was 5 years ago), i repented, and I have changed. but it recently came back to my mind, like i have to ask her to forgive me as a requirement before God, to be forgiven. I don’t think it is from God, but rather the enemy who may want me to rely on my own works. What should I do- ask her to forgive me (which will look very weird, given that she probably doesn’t remember it) or forget it and focus on reconciliation instead?
Hi Talla, I really appreciate your willingness to be honest here about your feelings. Sometimes it can be so tempting to just hide those feelings and pretend that everything is okay but that just allows Satan to eat away at a person from the inside out and becomes very destructive. When we are honest with brothers and sisters in Christ we open ourselves up to the voice of God to speak through them and allow His light to shine into our hearts.
I want to first remind you of the promise that God has given through the apostle John when he wrote, “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from every wrong.” (1John 1:9) Now we know that God does not lie so when He makes a promise like this we can have confidence that He is going to do exactly what He has said. You will notice there is no exceptions or limitations on this promise right? He doesn’t identify only certain sins but leaves it all encompassing of all sin. He also promises that we will be cleansed of every wrong or “all unrighteousness” as another translation puts it. With “all” and “every” in there we know that His cleansing is complete and total.
So since that is God’s promise to us you can have confidence that if you indeed confess your sin He will forgive you and cleanse you. So if you are still feeling guilt there can be only a few reasons for that: 1) You do not trust God’s promise to you. Sometimes our heart doesn’t follow our mind. We can acknowledge that something is true but the fear in our heart rises up and keeps us from trusting completely. That needs to be dealt with by asking God to transform your heart and then making a conscious decision to trust; 2) Satan is planting lies that are distracting you from the truth of God’s promise. The best way to fight against that is asking for God’s help and using the Word of God just as Jesus did when He was tempted. Memorize scriptures that speak of God’s forgiveness and use those scriptures to refute Satan’s lies; 3) You never really confessed. You may have said the words but your heart never really meant it and you don’t intend to stop yourself next time the temptation comes again. This is a more complicated explanation and can raise all kinds of questions and doubts. But again the best path in this situation is the Word of God. Ask God to help you discover how He sees this sin. Look over the scriptures that talk about the destructive impact of your sin and ask God to convict you. Then confess and make the commitment to turn away from doing that sin ever again.
You will notice that all of these reasons center on you. God has spoken and His Word cannot be broken so you never have to worry that somehow this verse does not apply to you. Instead you need to look to God to transform you so that you can come in line with His truth.
Does this make sense Talla? Which of the three scenarios fits your situation? Your statement that someone forced you into this sin suggests to me that Satan is playing on your hurt over being abused and is feeding you lies about the situation. Go through the verses in Lynette’s article and ask God to help you know the truth according to what He has said in the Bible. Then tell God that you are choosing to believe His truth and are trusting on His Spirit to help you make that choice. You know He will so you can have confidence.
Let me pray for you: Lord God Talla needs Your help to be set free from the feelings of guilt over this sin. I pray that Your Spirit will shine the light of truth into her heart and transform her feelings and thoughts. If there are areas that she needs to confess I pray that You would give her clear conviction of those specifics and help her truly confess and repent from those sins. Guard her heart and mind from the lies of Satan and show her promises from Your Word that she can use to combat his lies.
Lord I don’t know the person who forced Talla into this sin but I pray that this person would also feel Your conviction and be transformed by the renewing power of Jesus Christ. Protect Talla from any further abuse from this person and set her free from their influence. In the powerful name of Jesus Christ I ask these things, amen.
Talla let me invite you to talk to one of our online mentors where you can feel free to share some more of the specifics of your situation and receive ongoing support and encouragement. Just fill out the Mentor Request Form at http://powertochange.com/experience/talk-to-a-mentor and one of our mentors will send you and email.
i feel so guilt after haven fallen into sin.Though i was forced by someone into this sin,yet i know i have sinned. i have confessed to God,talked it over with my assistant pastor.Yet i still feel so guilty. i need to overcome this.I have read scripture,yet i still feel guilty. Please encourage and pray for me.This is because i feel God will punish me severely
this article helps me a lot, to remember God’s word…thanks.. God deserves the Glory, adoration thanksgiving and victory..thank you God the Father the Son and Holy Spirit..apart from God we are nothing God bless everyone!!!
This is such wisdom Tim.
It is written that when we resist the devil he will flee. The key though is to resist the right way. Quote those scriptures that apply to your temptation and then while quoting, make sure you don’t rely on your own strength (I’m not 100% sure exactly what that means) and THEN the devil will flee from you.
You touched on something very key God’s word is living and powerful as a two edged sword! Jesus showed us the way to overcome any temptation is through knowing and living in God’s Word. However, memorizing or speaking mere words in our own strength is not enough. The living Spirit of God’s Word is what empowers us to overcome all temptation. The Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead who daily empowers us to overcome all temptation and live in the fullness of our inheritance as a child of God.
Thanks for this reminder. Let us set our hearts to grow in deeper relationship with Holy Spirit every day.
I want to thank you for what you have written. In my own battles I have failed so often it has taken away my hope and left me in despair. It was not until recently that I discovered the real nature of my own failure – not following in Jesus’ footsteps. We are all tempted by our own desires. When Jesus was tempted (it must have been by His own desires) He resisted the devil. But HOW did He resist the devil? It is written… He quoted scripture. The first scripture I ever learned, back in 1990 was Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. I have failed to live up to that. Knowing scripture and being able to quote it back to the devil during those temptations is powerful. It is written that when we resist the devil he will flee. The key though is to resist the right way. Quote those scriptures that apply to your temptation and then while quoting, make sure you don’t rely on your own strength (I’m not 100% sure exactly what that means) and THEN the devil will flee from you.
May God grant us all the insight into His word to use it as the 2-edged sword it is.
God bless.
Great and grand is the love of of Father through Christ.
Thank you for this article I spent many years strugglering with the sinful nature of mine yet I was saved but glory to God who taught me and continue to give me the good news of salvation by grace. Thank you for this article found while reading more on sin and guiltiness of sin. God bless you all. See you in heaven as we have been sanctified by the blood of Jesus and no doubt we have heavenly home in Christ Jesus.
thank you for the article– i ahve dealt with sin and guilt, its not easy– you are right lucy love does cover a multitude of sin if we ask for forgiveness from God and he will forgive us and he wil cleanse us from all sin, he died so we can be saved ahd forgiving. what a GREAT God we serve
I was feeling an overload of sins, a guilt that i could’nt be forgiven for sins i have committed but his love cover a multitude of sins like his word says. I thank the lord for placing your website across me it truly helped me to understand. His Grace is sufficient & He deserves all Praises!!!! God Bless everyone :)
thanks…………what a awesome god we serve, he will never leave us or forsake us…. as the shepherd leaves the flock to go fetch after the lost sheep…. to bing him back ……………. he has restored me thankyou jesus
JJ, you have hit the nail right on the head! Yours is the response of one who has been forgiven: it starts with thanksgiving and then moves to action. In Revelation we learn about how the followers of Jesus are able to overcome the guilt and shame that Satan tries to weigh us down with. In Revelation 12:10,11 we read “For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;” Your thankfulness and praise here is your word of testimony. You are overcoming Satan’s attempt to accuse you. But as Lynette quoted “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
What are the ways that Satan tries to hamstring you with accusations?
I NEEDED THIS…I’M TRUELY GRATEFUL TO GOD. THANK YOU GOD FOR FORGIVING MY SINS. PLEASE GUIDE MY STEPS FROM NOW ON, IN JESUS NAME,,,AMEN
thank you,its been a struggle,i understand the place of Gods forgiveness in our lives, and to workout my salvation
Thank you for helping me in a difficult time.
This is really great…Thank you very much for the spiritual words you share.Shalom!
really helpful!
this is jus so ispiring………. GOD’S LOVE ENDURETH FOREVA
Thanks so much! I needed to hear/read that. God bless you.
Thank the Lord for this!!…Really helped me so much!! God you are awesome!!!
thanks for this eye opener……GOD bless you.
This was really helpful. Thanks