Subscribe to our PODCAST here.Dealing With Guilt
Rom. 1:16-25
Introduction:
A. The gospel was given for those who need forgiveness.
1. Romans 1 - the condition of the Gentile world - God’s remedy (v. 16).
2. Romans 2:1-3 - the condition of the Jews - God’s remedy (1:16).
3. Romans 3:20-23 - all have sinned - God’s remedy (1:16).
B. The conscience - guilt from violating what we believe to be right (1 Jn. 3:18-21).
1. Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:6-8).
2. King David (2 Sam. 12:12-14).
3. Peter (Lk. 22:31-34,55-62).
C. There is a right way and wrong way to deal with guilt:
1. Some solve by telling us to disregard guilt. Disdain for morality is seen in our TV programs. Within one generation “the air waves have become flooded with prime-time programs that feature sex without benefit of marriage, provocative clothing, drug addiction, homosexuality, free use of foul language, live-in relationships, teenage suicide, seductive music videos and a general disregard for authority” (“Putting the Past Behind,”
Les Carter, p. 57).
2. “What has happened? In the name of reality and openness (which are actually lies and lewdness), today’s humanists have convinced the public that guilt and moral accountability are outdated” (p. 58).
3. A life that ignores the correcting influence of guilt is a life destined for misery. (Produces mental breakdowns - neurosis (anxiety, phobias, depression), physical sickness.)
D. Study some improper reactions to guilt.
Body:
A. Anger
1. Anger is expressed in verbal outbursts, sarcasm, blame, poisonous talk, stubbornness and criticism (“Yet people who criticize continually are usually reluctant to admit their anger. They say, ‘It’s not that I’m angry. I just call ‘em the way I see ‘em’” (Good ‘n Angry, 109).
2. The high priest and sect of Sadducees imprisoned the apostles, angel released them (Acts
5:24-33,40).
3. Anger resulted in murder of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)
4. How do we react when brought face to face with truth - and feel guilty? Mad with someone? (Long-term anger is like an acid slowly eating away a person’s internal organs.)
B. Ignore
1. Some direct attention away from guilt.
2. Get home get the newspaper, turn on TV - won’t think about that sermon any more.
3. Some turn to alcohol or other drugs - drown the guilt.
4. God does not ignore sin - better face it now (2 Cor. 5:10).
C. Blame others
1. The messenger of truth - that reminds of sin is blamed. (“When I go to church, I go to be lifted up.” “If your religion makes you feel bad, change your religion.”)
2. Ahab’s attitude toward Micaiah (2 Chron. 18:3-7,14-17,26,27).
3. Saul blamed the people (1 Sam. 15:14,20,21).
4. God and Nathan did not want David to “feel uplifted” (2 Sam. 12:7). Peter did not want Simon to feel uplifted (Acts 8:22). Blaming others would not have removed the guilt.
D. Rationalize
1. Reasoning that my situation is different.
2. Joseph Fletcher: “any act - even lying, premarital sex, abortion, adultery, and murder - could be right, depending on the circumstances...Is adultery wrong...I don’t know. Maybe. Give me a case. Describe a real situation.”
3. Some would not go that far - but rationalize that under my situation, I’m an exception.
a. My job - do not treat me right, so all right to steal or lay down on the job.
b. My family - my companion does not treat me right, so all right for me to be unfaithful,
even to divorce and get someone who makes me feel good.
4. No - sin is still sin and rationalizing does not excuse rebellion to God (1 Sam. 13:8-14).
E. Reject Moral Hang-ups
1. Quit feeling guilty if you will quit believing all those rules. Job’s wife’s advice: “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9).
2. Gentiles “did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom. 1:28).
3. “Nobody thinks anything about that any more” (Jer. 6:15 “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush...”)
4. We can sear our consciences, but we cannot destroy God’s word.
Conclusion:
A. Guilt cannot be separated from God. Just as surely as there is a God and that His Son arose from the dead, we will be judged (Acts 17:30,31).
B. Trying to remove the standard, or ignoring it does not solve the problem with God.
C. The conscience is to the soul what pain is to the body.
1. Ignoring the pain, or suppressing it, does not deal with the problem (can be fatal).
2. We must deal with the pain of guilt (2 Cor. 7:8-10).
3. This is the only answer that God will accept.
Introduction:
A. The gospel was given for those who need forgiveness.
1. Romans 1 - the condition of the Gentile world - God’s remedy (v. 16).
2. Romans 2:1-3 - the condition of the Jews - God’s remedy (1:16).
3. Romans 3:20-23 - all have sinned - God’s remedy (1:16).
B. The conscience - guilt from violating what we believe to be right (1 Jn. 3:18-21).
1. Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:6-8).
2. King David (2 Sam. 12:12-14).
3. Peter (Lk. 22:31-34,55-62).
C. There is a right way and wrong way to deal with guilt:
1. Some solve by telling us to disregard guilt. Disdain for morality is seen in our TV programs. Within one generation “the air waves have become flooded with prime-time programs that feature sex without benefit of marriage, provocative clothing, drug addiction, homosexuality, free use of foul language, live-in relationships, teenage suicide, seductive music videos and a general disregard for authority” (“Putting the Past Behind,”
Les Carter, p. 57).
2. “What has happened? In the name of reality and openness (which are actually lies and lewdness), today’s humanists have convinced the public that guilt and moral accountability are outdated” (p. 58).
3. A life that ignores the correcting influence of guilt is a life destined for misery. (Produces mental breakdowns - neurosis (anxiety, phobias, depression), physical sickness.)
D. Study some improper reactions to guilt.
Body:
A. Anger
1. Anger is expressed in verbal outbursts, sarcasm, blame, poisonous talk, stubbornness and criticism (“Yet people who criticize continually are usually reluctant to admit their anger. They say, ‘It’s not that I’m angry. I just call ‘em the way I see ‘em’” (Good ‘n Angry, 109).
2. The high priest and sect of Sadducees imprisoned the apostles, angel released them (Acts
5:24-33,40).
3. Anger resulted in murder of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)
4. How do we react when brought face to face with truth - and feel guilty? Mad with someone? (Long-term anger is like an acid slowly eating away a person’s internal organs.)
B. Ignore
1. Some direct attention away from guilt.
2. Get home get the newspaper, turn on TV - won’t think about that sermon any more.
3. Some turn to alcohol or other drugs - drown the guilt.
4. God does not ignore sin - better face it now (2 Cor. 5:10).
C. Blame others
1. The messenger of truth - that reminds of sin is blamed. (“When I go to church, I go to be lifted up.” “If your religion makes you feel bad, change your religion.”)
2. Ahab’s attitude toward Micaiah (2 Chron. 18:3-7,14-17,26,27).
3. Saul blamed the people (1 Sam. 15:14,20,21).
4. God and Nathan did not want David to “feel uplifted” (2 Sam. 12:7). Peter did not want Simon to feel uplifted (Acts 8:22). Blaming others would not have removed the guilt.
D. Rationalize
1. Reasoning that my situation is different.
2. Joseph Fletcher: “any act - even lying, premarital sex, abortion, adultery, and murder - could be right, depending on the circumstances...Is adultery wrong...I don’t know. Maybe. Give me a case. Describe a real situation.”
3. Some would not go that far - but rationalize that under my situation, I’m an exception.
a. My job - do not treat me right, so all right to steal or lay down on the job.
b. My family - my companion does not treat me right, so all right for me to be unfaithful,
even to divorce and get someone who makes me feel good.
4. No - sin is still sin and rationalizing does not excuse rebellion to God (1 Sam. 13:8-14).
E. Reject Moral Hang-ups
1. Quit feeling guilty if you will quit believing all those rules. Job’s wife’s advice: “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9).
2. Gentiles “did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Rom. 1:28).
3. “Nobody thinks anything about that any more” (Jer. 6:15 “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush...”)
4. We can sear our consciences, but we cannot destroy God’s word.
Conclusion:
A. Guilt cannot be separated from God. Just as surely as there is a God and that His Son arose from the dead, we will be judged (Acts 17:30,31).
B. Trying to remove the standard, or ignoring it does not solve the problem with God.
C. The conscience is to the soul what pain is to the body.
1. Ignoring the pain, or suppressing it, does not deal with the problem (can be fatal).
2. We must deal with the pain of guilt (2 Cor. 7:8-10).
3. This is the only answer that God will accept.