This morning, I had a very in-depth chat with someone I love very much about guilt. This person is currently struggling with feeling as if something they have done has created a "permanent dent" in their relationship with God.
Their challenge is not unique. Many, many Christians - and non-Christians alike - struggle with not being able to stop beating themselves up, and feeling as though there is no coming back from what they have done, especially when it's a repeated sin. It's something I often struggle with as well.
Because there is no better way to explain how powerful guilt is, the impact it can have on our relationship with God, and just how (WELL) the devil uses it to keep us down, here is exactly what I told my loved one this morning:
Think back to a few weekends ago when you were so excited about God, you felt so free and you felt like you finally understood certain things.
That feeling right there is what the devil is going to constantly attack you for. He's going to fight tooth and nail to make sure he breaks that bond that is growing.
He hates the fact that you're thinking, feeling and thinking differently; that you've chosen to take a stand.
Why do you think you didn't feel so guilty [about what you did] before [you became a Christian]? It's not just because you were different then; it's because the devil sees what's at stake here now - that you could very well be sold out to God for life. And he will try and try and try to destroy that to the very best of his ability.
The simplest, most effective way is: Guilt. It wedges the greatest divide between us and God. Nothing does it quicker or better.
It's something many Christians struggle with. They might never come out and say it, their hands might be the highest in the air at church, but deep down they feel like God is mad at them.
I have learnt in the past few years that this is the greatest weapon Satan has - and he know, so he uses it WELL.
God is not mad at you. Never has been. Never will be.
There's a line in one of my favourite Christian songs: "I saw it all; still I chose the cross. There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore." I nearly cry when I listen to that song - because it's so true.
Nothing you will do (or have done) will ever shock God. Of course, I take responsibility for my actions and admit that I sometimes make choices that I know will not make God happy. That doesn't mean He will ever stop loving me - whether or not my sin is conscious.
What you're feeling now [guilt] isn't you. I know you feel bad about certain things, but what you're feeling now is not you. It is the devil pulling strings to distract you and keep you as far away from God as possible. Because only then can he have full access to swoop in and take over.
I know it's hard; hard to accept; hard to stop beating yourself up. But you can always ask God to help you with the way you feel and the challenges you're going through. He'll gladly do it.
The way God felt about you before and now has absolutely not changed even 0.0001%. God's position on loving us and being there for us never, ever changes. God never moves; only we do.
I pray that the Holy Spirit convicts you about it in your heart.
I love you.
I pray the same for you, reading this.
Love,
Kunmi x
Their challenge is not unique. Many, many Christians - and non-Christians alike - struggle with not being able to stop beating themselves up, and feeling as though there is no coming back from what they have done, especially when it's a repeated sin. It's something I often struggle with as well.
Because there is no better way to explain how powerful guilt is, the impact it can have on our relationship with God, and just how (WELL) the devil uses it to keep us down, here is exactly what I told my loved one this morning:
Think back to a few weekends ago when you were so excited about God, you felt so free and you felt like you finally understood certain things.
That feeling right there is what the devil is going to constantly attack you for. He's going to fight tooth and nail to make sure he breaks that bond that is growing.
He hates the fact that you're thinking, feeling and thinking differently; that you've chosen to take a stand.
Why do you think you didn't feel so guilty [about what you did] before [you became a Christian]? It's not just because you were different then; it's because the devil sees what's at stake here now - that you could very well be sold out to God for life. And he will try and try and try to destroy that to the very best of his ability.
The simplest, most effective way is: Guilt. It wedges the greatest divide between us and God. Nothing does it quicker or better.
It's something many Christians struggle with. They might never come out and say it, their hands might be the highest in the air at church, but deep down they feel like God is mad at them.
I have learnt in the past few years that this is the greatest weapon Satan has - and he know, so he uses it WELL.
God is not mad at you. Never has been. Never will be.
There's a line in one of my favourite Christian songs: "I saw it all; still I chose the cross. There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore." I nearly cry when I listen to that song - because it's so true.
Nothing you will do (or have done) will ever shock God. Of course, I take responsibility for my actions and admit that I sometimes make choices that I know will not make God happy. That doesn't mean He will ever stop loving me - whether or not my sin is conscious.
What you're feeling now [guilt] isn't you. I know you feel bad about certain things, but what you're feeling now is not you. It is the devil pulling strings to distract you and keep you as far away from God as possible. Because only then can he have full access to swoop in and take over.
I know it's hard; hard to accept; hard to stop beating yourself up. But you can always ask God to help you with the way you feel and the challenges you're going through. He'll gladly do it.
The way God felt about you before and now has absolutely not changed even 0.0001%. God's position on loving us and being there for us never, ever changes. God never moves; only we do.
I pray that the Holy Spirit convicts you about it in your heart.
I love you.
I pray the same for you, reading this.
Love,
Kunmi x
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