Guilt is quite common in life. I have learned not to beat myself so much after going astray because guilt is natural and is meant to draw me close to God and not away from Him. When feeling guilty, I read the Bible and remind myself of God’s process. However, I always wonder what makes us feel so much guilt when we go astray. Does the devil make you feel guilty?
According to the scriptures, guilt feelings can be from the devil. The devil makes us feel guilty to draw us away from God. The kind of guilt from the devil is excessive, destructive, and condemns us, as stated in Revelation 12:10. However, some guilt comes from being convicted by the Holy Spirit, and it leads us to seek forgiveness and repent, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 7:10.
Join me as I talk about guilt and if the devil makes us feel guilty. I will also analyze what the Bible has to say about guilt and if God uses guilt on non-believers. Continue reading to learn more.
What does the Bible say about guilt?
Guilt results from violating rules in place. According to the Bible, we have all sinned against God; hence we are all guilty (Romans 3:23). guilt is first seen in the Bible in the book of Genesis 3 after Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. They knew that they had sinned against God, and that brought a sense of shame and guilt toward them.
Furthermore, the scripture is clear that God does not condemn us in any way (Romans 8:1-2). There is good guilt that leads us to repentance and bad guilt that the devil uses to draw us from God (2 Corinthians 7-10). We should not hide in sin because of guilt but rather confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, and God is just and merciful enough to forgive us.
Does God also use guilt on non-believers?
The Bible teaches that God convicts people of sin and wrongdoing through the work of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the scripture notes that those who do not believe in God are guilty and stand condemned (John 3:18-19). The Holy Spirit can use this guilt to draw people to repentance and faith in Christ (John 16:8).
God’s ultimate goal is not to make people feel guilty or ashamed but to draw them into a relationship with Him (2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, while guilt can be a part of God’s work in convicting non-believers of their sin, His main goal is always to bring them to a place of repentance and reconciliation with Himself.
Why do you feel guilty even after repenting your sins?
For many Christians, being forgiven and freed from the bondage of sin does not necessarily translate to being free from guilt. Feeling guilty even after repenting is quite common in many believers. Some of the reasons you are feeling guilt after repenting include;
- Consequences of Sin: While God forgives us when we confess and repent of our sins, there may still be natural consequences that we have to face as a result of our actions. For example, if we lied to someone, we may need to confess and ask for forgiveness, but we may still feel guilty about the harm that our lie caused.
- Remorse and Shame: Repentance involves not only confessing and turning away from our sins but also feeling genuine remorse for what we have done. This remorse can sometimes manifest as guilt and shame, even after we have received God’s forgiveness.
- Difficulty Forgiving Ourselves: Sometimes, even after God has forgiven us, we may struggle to forgive ourselves. We may continue to feel guilty or unworthy, even though we know that God has already forgiven us.
- Spiritual Warfare: The Bible teaches that Satan is a spiritual enemy who seeks to accuse and deceive believers. Sometimes, feelings of guilt can be a result of his attacks, even after we have repented and received God’s forgiveness.
It is important to remember that while guilt is a natural response to sin, we can find freedom from it through the work of the Holy Spirit. As we seek to live in obedience to God and trust in His grace and forgiveness, we can experience peace and freedom from the burden of guilt.
How can you tell the difference between good guilt and bad guilt?
The significant difference in which you can differentiate good guilt from bad guilt is that good guilt leads us to repentance while bad guilt is excess, draws us away from God, and makes us feel condemned. Guilt can be a helpful emotion when it leads us to acknowledge our wrongdoing and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. However, guilt can also be unhelpful or harmful when it is excessive or misplaced. Here are some other ways to distinguish between good guilt and bad guilt:
- Good guilt leads to repentance and change, while bad guilt leads to shame and self-condemnation.
- Good guilt is specific and appropriate to the situation, while bad guilt is general or unrealistic.
- Good guilt is constructive and motivates us to make amends or improve, while bad guilt is destructive and paralyzes us with fear or hopelessness.
- Good guilt is aligned with God’s standards and values, while bad guilt is based on societal or personal expectations that may be unrealistic or harmful.
- Good guilt acknowledges the harm caused to others and seeks to make things right, while bad guilt is self-focused and fixated on our own inadequacies or failures.
How can Christians overcome guilt from the devil?
If you are feeling guilt from the devil, you can overcome it through the following ways;
- Confession and Repentance: The Bible teaches that when we confess our sins and turn away from them, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Confessing our sins to God and seeking His forgiveness can help us overcome the guilt that the devil tries to place on us.
- Focusing on God’s Truth: The devil is known as the father of lies, and his accusations are often based on distorted or false beliefs about ourselves and God. Focusing on God’s truth, as revealed in the Bible, can help us resist the devil’s attacks and overcome the guilt that he tries to place on us.
- Prayer and Worship: Spending time in prayer and worship can help us connect with God’s love and grace, which can help us overcome the guilt and shame that the devil tries to place on us.
- Fellowship and Accountability: Being part of a Christian community and having accountability partners can help us resist the devil’s attacks and overcome the guilt that he tries to place on us. Having others who can speak truth and encouragement into our lives can help us overcome the lies and accusations of the devil.
- Using Scripture to Resist: Jesus used scripture to resist the devil’s attacks in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), and we can do the same. Memorizing and meditating on scripture that speaks to God’s love, grace, and forgiveness can help us resist the devil’s lies and overcome the guilt that he tries to place on us.
Bible verses to free you from guilt
Romans 8:1-2 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
This verse reminds us that in Christ, we are free from condemnation and guilt. The Holy Spirit has set us free from the power of sin and death, and we can trust in God’s grace and forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 – This is a reminder that when we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse and free us from all our sins. We can trust in God’s forgiveness and the cleansing power of His grace.
Isaiah 43:25 – This verse assures us that God not only forgives our sins but also chooses to forget them. He blots out our transgressions and remembers them no more.
Hebrews 10:22 – In this verse, we are encouraged to approach God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith. We can trust that His grace and forgiveness cleanse us from a guilty conscience and purify us from all unrighteousness.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
