Feeling Guilty

by Micky Galloway

Many go to counsellors to get rid of guilt feelings. Others do not want to feel guilty about their sin. Many want the gospel presented in such a way so as to make them feel good rather than to burden them with guilt feelings. No one in his right mind would seek to deliberately hurt people and make them mad, but how does God approach the sinner? Should we preach the gospel in such a way to cause people to feel the weight of sin? Consider these examples:

ADAM AND EVE. When they sinned in the garden of Eden, did God avoid the subject of the eating of the forbidden fruit, or did he face them with their actions (Genesis 3:9)? The Lord confronted them with their sin and pronounced the death sentence upon them. Did the Lord reason, "They might get mad and go away in a huff?"

DAVID. When David sinned with Bathsheba, did Nathan the prophet evade his responsibility to tell David the truth? Nathan's piercing words, "Thou art the man," penetrated the heart of this great king and caused him to see the greatness of his sin (II Samuel 12:1-14). David suffered greatly because of his sins and said, "For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me…The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalms 51:1-17). How else is the sinner to be convicted? Is there any sadistic pleasure from humbling the sinner? Absolutely not. After directly rebuking their sin, Paul said, "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you" (II Corinthians 2:4). Paul wept as he pointed out their sin because he loved them (Cf. Acts 20:29ff).

RICH YOUNG RULER. When Jesus rebuked the covetousness of this young man he went away "sorrowful" (Mark 10:17-22). Was Jesus unkind to him? Though this young man had many commendable qualities, Jesus focused on the "one thing" he lacked, "Go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: AND COME FOLLOW ME." Some might argue that if the Lord had used a little tact perhaps this man with all his wealth could have become a great asset to the Lord's work. The Lord rebuked this respectful, rich, honorable young man for his covetousness and his misplaced priorities.

PHARISEES. These were the most respected, the most religious, the most strict sect among the Jews. Yet, Jesus rebuked them as "hypocrites." Even the disciples of the Lord were astonished at the sharpness of Jesus and said, "Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying" (Matthew 15:12)? In Luke 6:11 after miraculously healing a man whose right hand was withered, Jesus succeeded only in filling the scribes and Pharisees with madness. Some were so mad they wanted to kill Jesus. Though the purpose of preaching the gospel is not to offend, insult, shame or embarrass, this is often the result. Jesus would not compromise or bargain with sin and error. He gave His life for the very ones He angered with His words. Though we must today preach the "truth in love" (Ephesians 4:16) … love for the Lord, truth, souls; we must also speak the truth in hate … hatred of sin, Satan and evil of every kind (Revelation 2:6, 15).

JEWS ON PENTECOST. When the apostles preached in Jerusalem, they preached to convict of sin. "Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified" (Acts 2:36). The apostles did not gloss over the horribleness of sin. Their straight forward approach pricked the hearts of the audience and caused them to ask, "What shall we do" (Acts 2:37)? The preaching of the same message in the same way had an adverse reaction in Acts 5:28, 40. Should the apostles have glossed over their sin and made these Jews feel good? Arousing guilt feelings caused the Jews to become angry. They said, "Ye … intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Steven received a similar reaction in Acts 7 when he accused his audience of stubbornness, betrayal and murder (Acts 7:51-60). Yet, the gospel had to be preached. When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would come upon the apostles, He said the Holy Spirit would "convict the world of sin" (John 16:8). W.E. Vine says the word "convict" signifies "to refute, usually with the suggestion of putting the convicted person to shame."

Sinners must be convicted with the guilt, shame and sorrow for sin, for "godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation" (II Corinthians 7:10). Preaching that does not provoke the will to do better is not gospel preaching. If my life is not pleasing to God, challenge me … make me feel the shame of my guilt that I may conform my life to His will that heaven may be my eternal home.