Do You Feel Guilty?

Do You Feel Guilty? Aug. 25, 2013

Psalm 51:1-17

The scene was San Diego Superior Court. Two men were on trial for armed robbery. An eyewitness took the stand, and the prosecutor moved carefully: "So, you say you were at the scene when the robbery took place?" "Yes."

"And you saw a vehicle leave at a high rate of speed?" "Yes."

"And did you observe the occupants?" "Yes, two men." "

And," the prosecutor boomed, "are those two men present in court today?"

At this point the two defendants sealed their fate. They raised their hands.

A man who sent a check to the government for back taxes with a note attached that said:

“I felt so guilty for cheating on my taxes I had to send you this check. If I don’t feel any better, I’ll send you the rest.”

That guilty feeling will sometimes make you, confess to those things you have done!

Many biblical characters have dealt with guilt!

Adam and Eve-Were the first ones to deal with guilt, and the way they dealt with guilt is the same pattern we still use today!

1-Try to cover the sin

Genesis 3:6-7-So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

2-Play the blame game, that is when blame someone else for our sins, so that we can justify or rationalize our sins.

Genesis 3:8-13-And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Joseph’s Brothers-Had lived with guilt all those years!

Genesis 42:18-23-Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses.

And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so. Then they said to one another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.” And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.” But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter.

King David-David committed adultery with Bathsheba, then sent Uriah, (Bathsheba’s husband) to the front line of battle where he was killed!

But listen to the anguish of guilt that David dealt with, until he confessed his sin.

Psalm 38:1-5-O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down.

There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are full of inflammation, And there is no soundness in my flesh.

I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.

17-For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.

Psalm 32:1-5-Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah