Conviction? Or Condemnation?

What’s so good about godly guilt?

The prosecutor showed a number of pictures from the crime scene. The DNA samples matched the defendant’s profile. Two corroborating witnesses testified against the defendant. When the deliberations were completed, the judge asked the foreman of the jury: “Have you reached a verdict? “Yes we have, your honor,” the foreman replied. “We find the defendant guilty as charged.”

Haven’t you ever felt that way when you think about your past sins? It can be very easy to get weighed down with guilt over our failings. They may be sins from long ago, even misdeeds for which we have already apologized. But it doesn’t matter. We just can’t seem to shake the guilt. As “human” a reaction as this may seem, in many cases this kind of guilt is really the result of the devil’s deceitful tactics. And that’s why the Sacrament of Reconciliation is such a powerful blessing. This sacrament not only for­gives our sins, it also has the power to remove this heavy burden of guilt.

As we look at this issue, it’s helpful to understand that there are two kinds of guilt: guilt inspired by the Holy Spirit and guilt inspired by the devil. The…

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