Overcoming Guilt & Shame
Guilt is how we feel about our actions and what we’ve done.
Shame is how we feel about ourselves and who we are.
Philippians 3:13-14 NLT
No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on
this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies
ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the
heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
• Shame comes when we are deceived.
Genesis 3:1-13 NLT
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God
had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you
must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course
we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s
only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not
allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you
do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.
“God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and
you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was
convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked
delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took
some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who
was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were
opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they
sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool
evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord
God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God
among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are
you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was
afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?”
the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I
commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you
gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God
asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived
me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”
• Shame causes us to cover ourselves.
• Shame causes us to hide.
• Shame causes us to fear.
5 Ways to Overcome Guilt & Shame:
- Conviction
Romans 8:1 NKJ
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ
Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the
Spirit.
John 3:16-17 NKJ
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved. - Confession
1 John 1:9 NIV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - Repentance
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand
slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance. - Forgiveness
Psalm 103:12 NLT
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
• Seek God for forgiveness.
• Seek to be forgiven by others. (whether they give it to you or not)
• Seek to forgive others. (whether they deserve it or not)
• Forgive yourself. - God’s grace
Titus 3:3-7 NLT
Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and
became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil
and envy, and we hated each other. But— When God our Savior
revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the
righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed
away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy
Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus
Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight
and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.