“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
When was the last time you read your Bible?
If we’re completely honest with ourselves, we sometimes try to avoid the sharp sting and sobering conviction that follow in the wake of God’s penetrating Word. It slices straight through our innermost thoughts to reveal the true intentions within, wounding our pride and igniting a godly grief over our sin. But God’s Word is both the sword and the salve. It humbles and heals, renewing our hearts after his holiness.
The truth is, as we grow and mature in our faith, our hearts grow acutely more aware of how short we fall of perfect obedience to God. A sure sign of the Spirit at work in the life of the believer, this conviction is good. Godly guilt produces ongoing repentance that leads to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10). It keeps us from becoming complacent in any habitual sin, calling us to recognize our wrongdoing, confess it to God, and flee from the transgression, remembering that our merciful Father is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).
But there’s usually two main reasons for the destructive type of guilt we experience as Christians. We either feel like despicable human beings, doubting that God really keeps forgiving us for the same things day after day even after we’ve repented, or we feel like we could be doing more. Sometimes it’s a little bit of both. We read Scripture with a condemning tone, heaping a bunch of accusations onto our hearts. There’s always this gnawing sense that we’re good for nothing and not doing enough. Over time the guilt weighs us down and becomes a wall between us and God. Every whispered lie and burden makes it harder to go to him in prayer. While words like rest, peace, and freedom seem elusive. Eventually the Bible on our bedside table starts to gather dust. The pages stay closed out of fear for what we’ll find within. The poison of introspective angst reattaches the shackles of slavery, eclipsing our journey of sanctification with shame and self-loathing.
Dear friend, feeling like a failure, or like the Father is constantly disappointed in you, isn’t healthy—neither is it true. The light of the Savior outshines the shadows of your shortcomings. There is no condemnation in his love. He sees your wrestling with holiness and affirms “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41 KJV).
We should, however, flame the fear of the Lord, recognizing that apart from Christ, we are indeed guilty before a holy God (Genesis 6:5; Romans 9:10-12). Anyone who has an ear to hear should respond to his loving correction with zealous repentance (Revelation 3:19) and an earnest prayer against temptation. He will restore our joy and give us a renewed desire to read, study, and store up God’s Word in our heart so that we can pray like David prayed in Psalm 51:10-12 and Psalm 139:23-24 without shrinking back.
The Word Sanctifies
The Word is truth (2 Timothy 2:15). And because it shines light and understanding on anything contrary to the truth, it necessitates the need for judgment.
Even though Scripture is the tool God uses to search our hearts, God’s living Word isn’t bound to a physical copy of the Bible. The Word of God is God. The eternal Word made flesh who dwelt among us as Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:1-18). Then by implication, when we read a verse from the Bible, it is as if Jesus himself has leapt off the pages and is probing and working in our hearts. Piercing and deeply discerning, his Word cuts, convicts, and uncovers our whole mind and will to the all-seeing eyes of our Creator. We are all naked and exposed before the One to whom we must give account, and when Jesus—”The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13)—returns to judge, a sharp two-edged sword protruding from his mouth, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart (Revelation 1:16; 2:12; 1 Corinthians 4:5).
Yet, for those who are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, the same sword of the Spirit is used to sanctify us in truth (John 17:17); i.e., the life-long process whereby we become more like Christ. The lamb who was slain for the sins of the world justified us, freeing us from judgment and making a way for us to boldly draw near to the throne of God. Though we are wretched sinners, we’ve been set apart as saints. Jesus overcame sin and shame. His cross covers every conviction. His sufficient grace triumphs over guilt.
Yes, God disciplines and corrects us for our good because he loves us. But he doesn’t punish us (1 John 4:18). Nor does he snatch away our salvation the moment we sin. When we’re in Christ, we can rest assured that his love is perfected in our hearts and we can have confidence for the day of judgment and courage to come to him in prayer today.
The Word Sets Free
The beautiful Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). When we spend time delighting in and meditating on its life-giving words, we are like trees planted by streams of water that yield their fruit in season (Psalm 1:3). If we abide in it, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free daily (John 8:32). Both salvation and sanctification are gifts from God that cannot be earned on the basis of good works—only by grace through faith in Jesus. In the words of Paul: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).
Next time you’re plagued by guilt and a condemning conscience even after repenting, reassure your heart of God’s forgiveness. “For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20). Do not allow your performance-based self-reproach to keep you away from finding hope and encouragement in the Scriptures (Romans 15:4). The Judge of all has declared you innocent. Not guilty! When he looks at you he sees only the righteousness of Jesus. He chooses not to remember your sins. His forgiveness is final and free—forever. As the author instructs in Hebrews 10:22: “Do not throw away your confidence, but with a full assurance of faith, draw near to God with a true heart, sprinkled clean from an evil conscience” (v. 22). Hold fast to your hope of salvation without wavering (v. 23), because he who promised is faithful. May we prize God’s written Word as our most treasured possession and allow its sharp scrutiny to search our hearts continually!
Think It Through
- God knows your every thought, plan, and intention. He sees you inside and out, and intimately knows your heart. How does the gravity of his omniscient Word influence how you approach God and the Bible?
- Is there anything in your life that is making you feel guilty before God? What is the real reason behind that guilt?
- Are you rightly convicted of sin you should repent from? Read Revelation 3:19 and 1 John 1:9.
- Are you doubting God’s sufficient forgiveness of your sins even after you’ve repented? Read Psalm 103:12.
- Are you fearful of the final judgment because you feel like you’ll be punished? Read Romans 10:9-10.
- Do you constantly feel like you’re not doing enough or like God is disappointed in you? God has loved you with an everlasting love. He knows your frame, that you are weak. He understands and he intercedes for you day and night. When he looks at you, he doesn’t see your failures. He sees a beloved child who has been set apart as holy and whose life is hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:1-3).
- If you’re completely honest with yourself, would you say that you’ve come to know and to believe the love that God has for you (1 John 3:16)? How does that change things?
- Take a moment to pray to your Father, taking these feelings to him in repentance and rejoicing.
Photo Credit: _emilee_carpenter_
Liesl is a daughter, sister, and friend who lives in Cape Town, South Africa. After completing her BA (Hons) in Linguistics, she started working in the magazine publishing industry. As an aficionado of antiquity, you’ll likely hear her geek out about the latest archaeological discoveries of the first century AD. When she’s not marveling at God’s grace and goodness, succumbing to her sweet tooth, or showing you her impressive collection of sea urchin shells, you’ll find her enjoying the beautiful Cape with her loved ones.
