GODLY SORROW BRINGS REPENTANCE THAT LEADS TO SALVATION AND LEAVES NO REGRET, BUT WORLDLY SORROW BRINGS DEATH
(2 Corinthians 7:10).
Discern that there is a difference between conviction (convincing someone of an error) and condemnation (declaring someone as doomed). When God convicts you, He provides a way out—REPENTANCE. This deed of repentance will turn you around to lead you back to the path of salvation. It delivers from evil. It harvests Hope. It results in Holiness. It provides Forgiveness. It never brings regret.
On the other hand, when the accuser condemns you, he provides no way out. He will not provide anything to contribute to any kind of deliverance. His goal is to keep the guilt alive. His intention is to deem you unwanted, unacceptable, and unworthy to be loved…even by God. His aim is to drive you away from your Savior, Jesus Christ, with His Love, Hope, and Truth, and dump you into hopelessness, where there is no way out.
Therefore, be alert and distinguish between conviction that comes from God and condemnation that comes from the accuser.
THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION TO THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS…FOR THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HAS MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH
(Romans 8:1-2).
But, when the father-of-lies deems you doomed and damned, the Lord Jesus, your Savior, provides an escape from the enemy’s condemnation. All you need to do is come to Him. Submit the beliefs of doom and damnation to Him. Ask Him for His Truth. And if you cannot forgive yourself for something you have done, ask yourself why and find the belief with which the father-of-lies has condemned you. When you surrender this belief to the Lord Jesus, His Truth will set you free from condemnation.
IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND PURIFY US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
(1 John 1:9).
Is there something in your life for which you cannot forgive yourself? Why not? What is the underlying reason from the father-of-lies that keeps you from forgiving yourself? For what reason do you have to keep the guilt alive?
Bring these accusatory beliefs to God, and let Him show you His way out—REPENTANCE. Confess your wrong-doing. Then, in faith, accept His FORGIVENESS.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that Your way out of guilt is REPENTANCE: to acknowledge the wrong I have done. Then, to turn to You to make it right. Thank you that Your Forgiveness makes everything right—it even cleanses from all unrighteousness.
Maintain an Awareness
If you surrender your pain to the father-of-lies, he will coax you into sinful solutions of hiding, blaming, and running. He will take you down that broad road of destruction where he will kill you from the inside out.