Guilt

We all make mistakes. Often, those mistakes lead to feelings of guilt and shame. Guilt and shame are not what God designed us for. He designed us to be in fellowship with him, knowing that we are loved, accepted and forgiven. When we sin, guilt can be an indication that we’ve done something wrong. That feeling of guilt should be temporary—when you’ve sinned, confess and repent of your sin. Often, it helps to talk to a pastor, mentor, or friend and share what you have done. Shame is the feeling that something about ourselves is not worthy. Shame is never an emotion that comes from the Lord. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was to forever take away our sins and shame.

Scriptures on Guilt

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 4:14–16

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 8:12

“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."

Isaiah 1:18

"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 as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

Jeremiah 31:34

“No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the LORD.
"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."

John 5:24

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”

Philippians 3:13–14

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 103:12

as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

Prayer

Take this prayer and make it your own. Remember that God works with us wherever we are. It doesn’t matter how many times you have failed God, or whether you feel like he won’t accept you. It doesn’t even matter whether you understand why something is sin in God’s eyes. The only thing that matters is that you turn your heart to him. Remember, there are no conditions for coming before God except belief in his Son. There are no qualifications or necessary feelings. God loves you so much that he has met all of the righteous qualifications for you to be in his presence!

“Lord, here I am. Sometimes I don’t know if I can call you ‘Lord.’ But here I am. What do you think of me? Please, if there is anything on your heart to tell me right now. I want to know your thoughts. I want to know you. Help me honor you. If there is anything in me that is making it hard for me to receive forgiveness from you, take it from me! I give you my guilt and my life. Bring me into an unimpeded relationship with you. I trust that you will guide me into developing character like yours. I ask these things in your name, and by the power of your Spirit. Amen!”

Did this information provide assistance to you?

We're passionate about constantly improving the resources we provide. Did the information found here help you, or your loved ones, during a tough time?