How should a Christian deal with feelings of guilt regarding past sins, whether pre- or post-salvation?

[Quasar93]

Everyone has sinned, and one of the results of sin is guilt. We can be thankful for guilty feelings because they drive us to seek forgiveness. The moment a person turns from sin to Jesus Christ in faith, his sin is forgiven. Repentance is part of the faith that leads to salvation (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 3:19). 

In Christ, even the most heinous sins are blotted out (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 for a list of some unrighteous acts that can be forgiven). Salvation is by grace, and grace forgives. After a person is saved, he will still sin, and when he does, God still promises forgiveness. “But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). 

Freedom from sin, however, does not always mean freedom from guilty feelings. Even when our sins are forgiven, we still remember them. Also, we have a spiritual enemy, called “the accuser of our brothers” (Revelation 12:10) who relentlessly reminds us of our failures, faults, and sins. When a Christian experiences feelings of guilt, he or she should do the following things:

1) Confess all known, previously unconfessed sin. In some cases, feelings of guilt are appropriate because confession is needed. Many times, we feel guilty because we are guilty! (See David’s description of guilt and its solution in Psalm 32:3-5.)

2) Ask the Lord to reveal any other sin that may need confessing. Have the courage to be completely open and honest before the Lord. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

3) Trust the promise of God that He will forgive sin and remove guilt, based on the blood of Christ (1 John 1:9; Psalm 85:2; 86:5; Romans 8:1). 

4) On occasions when guilty feelings arise over sins already confessed and forsaken, reject such feelings as false guilt. The Lord has been true to His promise to forgive. Read and meditate on Psalm 103:8-12.

5) Ask the Lord to rebuke Satan, your accuser, and ask the Lord to restore the joy that comes with freedom from guilt (Psalm 51:12).

Psalm 32 is a very profitable study. Although David had sinned terribly, he found freedom from both sin and guilty feelings. He dealt with the cause of guilt and the reality of forgiveness. Psalm 51 is another good passage to investigate. The emphasis here is confession of sin, as David pleads with God from a heart full of guilt and sorrow. Restoration and joy are the results.

Finally, if sin has been confessed, repented of, and forgiven, it is time to move on. Remember that we who have come to Christ have been made new creatures in Him. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Part of the “old” which has gone is the remembrance of past sins and the guilt they produced. Sadly, some Christians are prone to wallowing in memories of their former sinful lives, memories which should have been dead and buried long ago. This is pointless and runs counter to the victorious Christian life God wants for us. A wise saying is “If God has saved you out of a sewer, don’t dive back in and swim around.”

Recommended Resources: Enemies of the Heart: Breaking Free from Emotions That Control You by Andy Stanley andLogos Bible Software.

From: gotquestions.org

 

Quasar93

[Aimes]

My favorite verses: 

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2

What blessed peace there is, knowing that IN Him, we are free from the law of sin and death.

[Rut-Ro]

Past sins are no longer relevant to the Christian in that they were covered under the blood of Christ the moment that sinner believed. Further, they are no longer considered to be that fallen person, a sinner, once they have accepted Christ as their savior from sins. All transgressions that may occur are covered under the blood of Christ's sacrifice for the sins of the world. And should we offend we have a mediator between ourselves and God, Jesus Christ. So that sin is not counted against us as the redeemed from sin , a Christian. 

 

CHRISTIANS STOP CALLING YOURSELVES SINNERS http://gregoryccochran.com/2014/07/15/christians-stop-calling-yourselves-sinners/

[OneLight]

1 hour ago, Rut-Ro said:

Past sins are no longer relevant to the Christian in that they were covered under the blood of Christ the moment that sinner believed. Further, they are no longer considered to be that fallen person, a sinner, once they have accepted Christ as their savior from sins. All transgressions that may occur are covered under the blood of Christ's sacrifice for the sins of the world. And should we offend we have a mediator between ourselves and God, Jesus Christ. So that sin is not counted against us as the redeemed from sin , a Christian.

Our past is not held against those who are saved, yet they are not erased from our minds either.  The memories remain to remind us why our past sins, though forgiven, should not be repeated.  Satan knows this and will do his best to remind us of our past, in an attempt to discourage us. 

Carmen, from the 80's, had a story/song called Revival in the Land, where one of the lines is when the enemy reminds you of your past, remind them of his future.  I always liked that saying.

Yet, the best defense for continued thoughts is to remember Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

[missmuffet]

1 minute ago, OneLight said:

Our past is not held against those who are saved, yet they are not erased from our minds either.  The memories remain to remind us why our past sins, though forgiven, should not be repeated.  Satan knows this and will do his best to remind us of our past, in an attempt to discourage us. 

Carmen, from the 80's, had a story/song called Revival in the Land, where one of the lines is when the enemy reminds you of your past, remind them of his future.  I always liked that saying.

Yet, the best defense for continued thoughts is to remember Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Well said. I will agree