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"Guilt" is a subject that is often mentioned and even sometimes discussed briefly in discourses.
Yet, it is seldom dealt with as a topic of study. This is an important subject and one that all
need to study. The points to be discussed include:
1) the definition of guilt;
2) false ideas about guilt;
3) the relationship of guilt to the conscience;
4) the effects of guilt; and
5) how to deal with guilt and examples of how people have dealt with guilt.
Guilt Defined
Webster defines “guilt” as:
a) "The state of one who has committed an offense especially consciously.
b) "Feelings of culpability especially for imagined offenses or from a sense of inadequacy."
A friend of mine jokingly said, "It is the feeling you have when you do something bad
and get caught."
The word "guilt," or "guilty," is used when talking about the condition of one who has done a
wrong. It is the word used to describe the normal feeling one has when he has said, thought,
or done something he knows is wrong, or did not do something he knows he should have done.
False Ideas About Guilt
Several years ago, I corresponded with a preacher of the gospel on this subject. He believed sin
and guilt were the same thing. He also believed an unlawful act was not sin unless it was done
with full knowledge. Nevertheless, sin is simply the transgression of God's law (1 Jn. 3:4;
Rom. 4:15). When one sins, he is guilty of a trespass. This is true whether it is with or without knowledge. There will be a feeling of guilt if a sin is committed with knowledge. Whereas if
a sin is committed without knowledge, the guilt is there, but not the guilt feeling. For example,
you may have offended someone without realizing it, so you would not feel guilty about it.
Nevertheless, you would be guilty of the trespass (Matt. 18:6). Sin results in guilt, but the
terms "sin" and "guilt" do not necessarily mean the same thing. They are different terms with
different meanings. In addition, we can be certain that sin results in guilt even when done in
ignorance (Nu. 15:29-31). Whether or not a faithful Christian is charged with the guilt is
another subject.
The Relationship Of Guilt To The Conscience
Every person has been endowed with a conscience whether he properly responds to it or not.
It is a warning device - it warns us if we are doing something that we know we should not be
doing or are failing to do, and constantly reminds us of the wrong. God gave us the ability to
learn to differentiate right from wrong in order to prod us in the direction of what is right and
good.
Separating guilt feelings and a hurting conscience may be difficult or impossible to do, but
there is definitely a difference between "guilt" and a hurting conscience. A person’s conscience
may be causing them great discomfort after committing an act that is only thought to be a sin.
Yet, if the act was not a sin he would not be guilty of a sin unless he did it thinking that it was
(James 4:17). However, the discomfort and pain are there regardless. Since the conscience
troubles an individual only when he does what he thinks is wrong, we can readily see an important
reason for learning the truth. It is very important that we give thought and study to issues of life
that are a matter of right and wrong. This would help prevent people from committing sins of
ignorance and help them avoid needless pain. For example, members of the Christian Science
sect do not believe in medical science. They have been known to allow their children to die in
cases where medical science could have easily cured the child. It is true that the parents were
acting according to what their conscience would allow. Nevertheless, their belief is not based
upon God's word, and needless sufferings resulted.
The Effects Of Guilt
Guilt affects all people in a similar manner. It prevents peace of mind and happiness, causes
depression and can destroy a life and a soul. Even though sin affects us in these ways, we deal
with sin and guilt differently. Some try to hide or deny their guilt, some brag about things of
which they are guilty, for whatever reason. While others try to do the “right thing," even
though their actions may be contrary to New Testament teachings.
Every man woman and child is at some time faced with the question, "What will I do about
my guilt?". Children sometimes tell lies, steal things, and hurt others with unkind remarks,
deeds, etc. When children know right from wrong and do wrong, they have feelings of guilt.
Dealing with guilt is a part of growth and spiritual development. Every person should learn that
it is best to admit and confess what they have done and try to make it right. Occasionally, one
might deny an evil act and deceive another, but God cannot be deceived. God said, "...I know
the things that come into your mind, every one of them" (Ezk. 11:5). The Lord also said, "For
there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known"
(Luke 12:2).
Every person is going to have guilt feelings. We may do the right thing to remove the guilt
feelings, but what we DO may not always be accepted by the person against whom we sinned.
The latter is true with mankind and also with God. God has put in writing what we are to do
to receive forgiveness. When we do as God instructs, we can be sure He will forgive us. Yet,
too often people do not understand God’s word and feel they have done the right thing to
receive forgiveness, and the guilt is still there. The writer of Proverbs tells us, "There is a way
which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death" (Prov. 14:12). Some
people who have been wronged are unwilling to forgive. When such happens how do we deal
with it?
I will try to answer the above question by giving an example. A fellow said something to a
woman that was unkind and unnecessary. She became angry so the fellow said, "I apologize,
will you forgive me?". The woman said, "I might someday." The fellow then replied, "I hope you
do not die and go to hell in the meantime." The fellow did what he needed to do and got relief
from his feelings of guilt, though the woman apparently did not accept his apology. Her inability
to forgive was her problem. We can readily see the magnitude of her problem when we consider
the fact that God will not forgive one who will not forgive another (Matt. 6:15).
Christians often have feelings of guilt due to sins of omission. Paul said, "Therefore to him that
knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (Jas. 4:17). Failing to do what one knows is
right is a sin of omission. One of the biggest problems that an evangelist faces is the guilt of what
he believes to be improper use of his time. This problem must be dealt with because of what the
guilt can do (depression, etc.) No one has a greater need to be high on life and have a high self
esteem than a salesman. One who spreads the gospel is indeed a salesman. Anyone who labors
needs and deserves a certain amount of relaxation and recreation, but the question of how much
cannot be answered by someone else. It is something that each individual has to work out on his
own (Phi. 2:12). Time is precious. We should feel guilty if we indulge in anything that keeps us
from doing the will of God.
When there is guilt in a person's life, it's not always as evident as flashing colored lights.
Nevertheless, people can easily recognize the feeling that guilt gives. Also, the greater the sin
that one commits, the greater the discomfort the conscience causes. "Guilt" can destroy and
prevent happiness. On the other hand, one who harbors no feelings of guilt is likely to be a
happy, contented individual. Feeling guilty about something does not necessarily mean you sinned,
but the action you take (or fail to take) to dissolve feelings of guilt might be contrary to New
Testament teachings. We have all had feelings of guilt before and it is likely to be repeated. When
we sin what will we do about it? Will we deny or place the guilt on someone else, do nothing in
hopes it will go away, or will we own up to our mistakes and correct them?
How To Deal With Guilt, and A Look At Some Bible Examples
If you are not a Christian, there is only one thing that will cleanse you of your sins and free
your conscience. The apostle John made it clear that the blood of Christ cleanses the soul,
and will continue to do so as we "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7).
Let's look at some Bible examples of people affected by guilt and take note of how they dealt
with it:
David (2 Sam. 11:2-17, 12:1-13; Psalms 51:1-14): David committed adultery and murdered a
good man. He had no peace with the guilt on his mind. He said, "...My sin is ever before me"
(Psa. 51:3). The guilt feeling nearly destroyed him before he diligently sought God's forgiveness.
David had confidence that God would forgive him. It is important to note that David forgave
himself. Thus, he was able to dissolve the guilt feelings and go on with life.
Peter (Matt. 26:69-75): Peter did two things:
1) He denied the Lord, and
2) He cursed and swore.
He did this to keep from suffering persecution for being a disciple
of Christ. The guilt of his deed caused him to weep bitterly.
Judas (Matt. 26:14-16,47; 27:5): This apostle of Christ betrayed the Lord for money. The
guilt was more than he could bear. Could he have been forgiveness? Yes, he could have
sought forgiveness but chose to kill himself instead.
Paul (Acts 22:1-20): Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was guilty of accessory to murder, if not murder
itself. He persecuted Christ by delivering Christians to the Jews to be killed. When he became
aware that he had sinned, he sought the answer to what he “must do” to be forgiven (vs. 10, 11).
Cornelius (Acts 10): Here is an example of a good man. Nothing was mentioned of any specific
sin committed. Yet, when he heard the gospel, he sought forgiveness of past sins (becoming a
Christian) in the divinely prescribed way.
Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10): It is noteworthy that these two did not get a chance to
do anything about their guilt. They conspired to lie to God and were struck dead shortly after
having been confronted with their deed. As with these two, we may not get a chance to deal
with the guilt of a sin, because death may come first. How often do we hear news that a group
of young people were drinking and driving and one or more were killed? In such cases where
the driver survives a horrible wreck, he still has to deal with the guilt of the deed.
Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9-24): Simon entertained an evil thought. He thought that the gift
of God could be bought with money. In so doing he committed a sin, but he was not immediately
aware of the transgression. We have no reason to think that he entertained guilt feelings before
the sin was brought to his attention. When Simon became aware of his transgression, he became
aware of his guilt and sought forgiveness.
Jews (John 8:1-10) The Jews wanted to stone a woman to death for a sin of which she was
guilty. They were persistent in the matter, but Jesus said to them, "Ye who are without sin cast
the first stone." Those present were aware of their own guilt, so they chose not to deal with
the woman’s sin. They walked away and perhaps gave thought to what could be done about
their own sin and guilt.
Conclusion
Are your sins "covered" (Rom. 4:7)? If not, what will you do about the sins presently in your
life? If you are not a Christian will you deny your sins, do nothing in hopes your conscience
will quit bothering you, or will you accept the Lord's invitation to come unto him (Matt. 11:28-30)?
When one does not do the right thing to get rid of his guilt feelings, the bad feeling might go away
over time, but no one wants that to happen. Your conscience is the best friend you have. You
do not want it to quit working for you as it did with those spoken of by Paul. "Speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (I Tim. 4:2). If you are not a Christian,
why not appeal to God for a clear conscience? In talking about Noah and his family saved by
the flood waters, Peter said, "And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you - not the removal
of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ” (I Pet. 3:21 N.A.S.)
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