Sorting Out Guilt

You feel guilty You think you are GuiltyInnocent God sees you as GuiltyInnocentGuiltyInnocent ConclusionTrue congruent guilt RebellionTrue intuitive guilt False guilt feeling ExampleLyingDancingIC w/o ONo to Mom Good motives are everywhere assumed

Sorting Out Guilt You feel guilty You think you are GuiltyInnocent God sees you as GuiltyInnocentGuiltyInnocent ConclusionTrue congruent guilt RebellionTrue intuitive guilt False guilt feeling Treatment Stop action Stop Rebellion Learn Standard Stop action learn standard Dispute false belief Good motives are everywhere assumed

Sorting Out Guilt You feel innocent You think you are GuiltyInnocent God sees you as GuiltyInnocentGuiltyInnocent TreatmentInternalize Standard Learn TruthLearn and internalize True Innocence ExampleTelling her off Playing Pool Copying CD’s Enjoy Freedom Good motives are everywhere assumed

Dealing with Guilt Feelings Do a searching review of your own life. Ask God to reveal your secret sins. Separate real from false guilt.

Dealing With Real Guilt Stop the sin Confess to God Confess to others Learn the standard Remind your self of the standard Thank God for forgiveness

Discriminate Between Guilt and Shame I am ashamed if wreck my car, drop my food, stain someone’s rug. These are unheroic actions and I am ashamed. If I tell a lie, criticize someone unfairly, fail to admit it when I am wrong, now I am guilty. I can blame someone else when I forget something and experience both.

Dealing with False Guilt Discriminate between guilt feelings and judgments Recognize the possible sources of false guilt feelings –false view of self –false view of others Rehearse the assurance of God’s acceptance even when people withhold theirs

Forgivenes s is a Covenant H Speak of the offense to others H Bring it up to you again H Dwell on it in my own mind I will not: _______________________ One forgivingOne forgiven

Forgiveness is a Decision ¤Become aware of those you have not forgiven. ¤Be honest about the extent of the loss. ¤Communicate your decision to the one forgiven. ¤Attempt to restore the relationship.

Forgiveness is a Process ¤ Recognizing the hurt takes time ¤ Counting the cost takes time ¤ Preparing to confront takes time and practice ¤ “Forgetting” takes practice ¤ “Forgetting” takes effort ¤ Remember our basis

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.