Guilt is a powerful emotion that can weigh heavily on our minds and hearts, leading to negative thoughts and self-doubt. Whether it’s a mistake we’ve made, or a situation we feel responsible for, holding onto guilt can be detrimental to our mental well-being. However, it is possible to stop feeling guilty and rid ourselves of this burden in order to move forward with a positive outlook on life.
In this article, we will explore and understand the root cause of why we feel guilty and about God’s solution to overcome guilt feelings. So, if you’re struggling with feelings of guilt, stay tuned for practical tips on how to get rid of guilt and ultimately find peace and happiness.
I have read about an incident like this –
KUMARILA BHATT was an Indian philosopher who lived in the 8th century. According to legend, Kumarila went to study Buddhism at Nalanda University (a famous university in ancient India). There he had an argument with his teacher, followed by that he was expelled from the university. But later he had great remorse for his deeds. So he went and asked his teacher what could be the biggest punishment for misbehaving with the guru (teacher). Guru told it is to burn himself in a heap of husk. Since Kumarila could not control his guilt, he went to the bank of Ganga and covered himself with a heap of husk and set fire on it.
What does it mean to feel guilty?
Guilt is an emotional state characterized by feelings of responsibility, remorse, and self-reproach for having done something wrong. It is often triggered when a person believes they have violated their own moral code or societal norms, resulting in a sense of personal culpability. Guilt can also arise from actions that have caused harm to others or oneself, as well as from failing to meet personal standards or expectations.
The experience of shame and guilt can vary in intensity, ranging from mild regret to overwhelming remorse. It may manifest as a nagging feeling of discomfort or a deep sense of shame and self-blame. Guilt can be an internal signal that something is amiss and can serve as a motivator for individuals to correct their behavior or make amends. Healthy guilt can lead to positive changes.
While guilt can be a normal and healthy emotion, excessive and unrelenting guilt can have negative consequences on one’s mental and emotional well-being. Chronic guilt may lead to anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues. It is essential for individuals to acknowledge and process their feelings of guilt constructively, seeking self-forgiveness when appropriate and taking steps to rectify the situation if possible.
The Burden of Guilty Feelings
Mental agony due to guilty feeling is one of the major problems many people have to undergo in their lives. Man is sinful by nature. Knowingly or unknowingly, we commit a lot of mistakes in our lives. Sometimes our work and words bring pain to our own dear ones. Later, when realizing the consequences of our own acts, we feel guilty about it. Guilty feeling slowly lead to depression.
Many people find help with alcohol and tobacco to overcome their mental worries. And some, not able to overcome their guilty feelings, finally end up in committing suicide like Kumarila.
Perils of unhealthy guilt
We may run to psychiatrists to get advice—but secular psychiatry has tried to solve the problem of guilt by saying there is no such thing as sin. Just ignore that guilty feeling, we are told, because it has no basis in reality. We try, but somehow we just can’t pull it off.
As a preacher has pointed out, “There are 3 types of guilt affecting man: false guilt, exaggerated guilt and true guilt. Psychiatry and psychology can deal with false guilt and exaggerated guilt, but only God can deal with our true guilt.”
The Moral Conscience: God’s Built-in Knowledge of Right and Wrong
The question is, why do we feel guilty? Or why can’t we escape from the feeling of a guilty conscience? That is because God has built into our mind knowledge of right and wrong – a moral conscience.
Bible deals with this situation. Romans 2:14-15 says, “For when the people who do not have the law by nature observe the prescriptions of the law, they are a law for themselves even though they do not have the law. They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them.”
What does it mean? It is simple – There is a moral law written in the hearts of every human being, which helps them to discern good and bad, illustrating that one may feel guilty even without explicit instruction.
The Sin Nature Within Us: Constantly at War with Our Moral Conscience
But then, why do people still commit sin? Bible gives us an answer. Romans 7:14-17 again says, “For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. ”
That means there is a sin nature in each one of us, which is constantly at war with our moral conscience. It is written in the Bible,” for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.
When the sin nature within us forces us to commit sin, the moral conscience in our mind brings guilt feeling into our mind, often coupled with negative self-talk. It constantly taunts us, irritates us, and brings remorse into our mind. If not handled properly, it will lead us to depression, alcoholism, or even to suicide.
Make amends: Confession, Forgiveness, and Salvation through Jesus Christ
How can we deal with it? It is not possible with our own effort, But God, in his divine love, has given us a solution.
1 John 1:8-9 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Bible reveals a righteous, but loving God. He hates the sin, but he loves sinners. In His eternal love, God designed a unique plan to save sinners. John 3:16 describes it like this: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “
Embracing Jesus as the Answer to the Sin Problem : Overcoming Guilt
Yes, Jesus is the son of God. He is the answer to the sin problem of mankind. He came to this world and died on the cross bearing the sign of whole mankind.
Dear friend, Are you worried about the sins you have committed and the consequent feelings of guilt and shame? Is the guilt feeling troubling you and leading you to question if you’re a bad person? Come to Jesus, confess your sins, and accept Him as your personal savior. Then you will be saved. All your sins will be forgiven and you will become a new person. The peace that surpasses all understanding will fill your heart.
Bible says, in Isaiah 1:18 –
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.”
Jesus Christ is God’s answer to the sin problem. Will you accept Him today?
