2. “Few human emotions are as distressing and painful as the feelings of guilt and personal disapproval. When at a peak of intensity, self-condemnation gnaws on the conscious mind by day and invades dreams by night.” Dr. James Dobson UNDERSTANDING GUILT

3. What is guilt? An emotion: A feeling of shame, an inner pain of self-reproach Genesis 3:7-8 An instrument of the conscience: A moral warehouse and mechanism approving or accusing in order to influence behavior Feelings of remorse or regret are by-products based on principles in the mind

4. What is guilt? An emotion An instrument of the conscience An aid to keep us from sin and to bring us back from sin: Godly sorrow involves feelings of guilt (2 Corinthians 7:8-11) God designed to lead to repentance.

5. Properly educate your conscience. Must be trained in righteousness to prick us at the right time in the right way. Spirit’s sword convicts of sin (John 16:7-8) John 1:17; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16 Beware! Increasing numbers of bad sources confuse, mislead and deceive.

6. Take responsibility for your actions. Many go to great lengths to avoid, ignore or cover-up feeling guilty. Many blame others like Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:12, 13). Worldly cover-up’s cause spiritual and moral callouses (Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Timothy 4:1-2).

7. Take responsibility for your actions. What is sown is what is reaped (Galatians 6:7). Being honest to yourself about wrongdoing is essential. Shifting blame is unacceptable. “I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Samuel 12:13)