You are (not) guilty…

Shame is a devious lie stopping good people from peace, joy and liberty. Shame makes us feel bad without giving us an exit strategy. It tells us we are stupid, bad or weird because we made mistakes or failed in some way. It comes in the form of a guilty conscience that screams insults and condemnation.

Have you ever battled shame? Have you struggled with condemnation?

The Bible smashes these lies with this declaration: “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.” (Romans 8:1, NKJV)  

Did you see this pronouncement from the eternal Judge? Not guilty. No condemnation. God will judge all of mankind one day, but if you have received Christ into your life, if you have asked Him to forgive you for all your sins and mistakes, then He has declared you “Not guilty.”

Hebrews 10:22 provides a clear roadmap for you today: “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22, NIV)  

Your conscience is not always right. In fact, it’s been hard-wired to a broken world system and a performance-oriented value system. But you are now a Kingdom believer. You live, think and feel based on new values and principles. If you feel shame, that’s very normal. But now you can do something about it. Here’s my shame buster list: 

1. Take the guilt and failure to God, and ask Him to forgive you again.
2. Forgive others. The Bible says if you forgive others, then God can forgive you. Forgiveness is for you. 
3. Forgive yourself. Don’t be harder on yourself than God is.
4. Make amends when possible. If you’ve hurt or robbed people, try to make it right. Ask for forgiveness from them. Pay them back.

You can learn to live shame-free, but you will have to replace the lies of the world with the true, unconditional love of God. Can you make a declaration with me today? “Shame won’t hold me back. I’m forgiven and loved by God.”

Because you really are a miracle.