document.open(); document.writeln(""); document.writeln("Struggling With Guilt
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\'€œThis is the"); document.writeln("message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there"); document.writeln("is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in"); document.writeln("the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light,"); document.writeln("as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of"); document.writeln("Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we"); document.writeln("deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is"); document.writeln("faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all"); document.writeln("unrighteousness.\'€1

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For some of us,"); document.writeln("guilt is a constant companion. We live carrying the mistakes of the past and"); document.writeln("fearing failure in the future. Even when we try to move forward, self-criticism"); document.writeln("follows close behind.

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The guilt that"); document.writeln("results from breaking biblical or human laws is legitimate. When we transgress,"); document.writeln("the Holy Spirit points out what is wrong and how to correct it. Then, in"); document.writeln("response to our confession, God offers us forgiveness and cleansing from guilt"); document.writeln("each time (Psalm 32:5).

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Some feelings"); document.writeln("of guilt are false. Where do they come from?

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They can arise"); document.writeln("from the lies and accusations of the enemy, who seeks to replace peace with"); document.writeln("turmoil and joy with discouragement.

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Legalism also"); document.writeln("breeds guilt: although God\'€™s Word establishes how to live, some people or"); document.writeln("churches impose extra rules. In addition, childhood experiences, such as trauma"); document.writeln("or feeling that we did not meet our parents\'€™ expectations, can lead us to judge"); document.writeln("ourselves harshly.

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Romans 8:1"); document.writeln("tells us, \'€œThere is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.\'€ If you"); document.writeln("struggle with false guilt, ask the Lord to help you remember who you are in"); document.writeln("Him.

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Suggested"); document.writeln("Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, whenever a thought of guilt comes, help me to"); document.writeln("surrender it to You. Lord, in Your Word it says that if we confess our sins,"); document.writeln("You are faithful and just to forgive us. Help me to remember that promise"); document.writeln("constantly. Lord, thank You that Your Word reminds me of Your mercy. In Jesus\'€™"); document.writeln("name, Amen.

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1.   "); document.writeln("1"); document.writeln("John 1:5-9 (NIV).

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Today\'€™s Encounter"); document.writeln("was written by: Rosina N. 

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This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes can be read online.

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ACTS International

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