Shame, Guilt, Conviction

We Christians use the terms guilt, shame, and conviction, but we sometimes use them incorrectly. 

For example, some claim that guilt and shame come only from Satan, not God. 

It's true that Satan can tempt us with shame and guilt AFTER we've confessed and repented. He does this so we'll wallow in self-pity or doubt God's forgiveness. 

But before we repent, guilt and shame are functions of our Christian conscience. 

If God shows us a sin, we can rightly admit that God has convicted us of sin. But genuine conviction of sin is a result of shame and sorrow for what we've done. 

"Submit yourselves, then, to God...Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:7-10

When Christians sin, we should experience godly sorrow that leads us to repentance (1 Corinthians 7:8-11).

Bible Study 

1. Genuine repentance brings us peace.

Psalm 32:1-5: Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. 2 Happy is the one whom the LORD does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit. 3 When I did not confess my sins, I was worn out from crying all day long. 4 Day and night you punished me, LORD; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat. 5 Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins.

2. God is close to those who are genuinely repentant. 

Isaiah 57:15: For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. 

3. Paul describes godly sorrow. Note the results of godly sorrow in verses 10 and 11.

1 Corinthians 7:8-11: Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.  
copyright 2016, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com