By Steve A. Hamilton

Ezekiel 18:19-28 (NKJV)

Introduction:  We live in a generation that believes religion should only promote the positives.  Telling someone that their conduct is sinful is some how wrong.  To cause a person to feel guilt is in and of itself a sinful act.  We have churches today bending over backwards to prevent anyone from feeling guilty in their lives.  In fact, I have a letter from a local church that says when we preach on topics of sin we “violate the code of tolerance so important to [this] generation.”  It goes on to promise services free from making people feel guilty.  

          I’m here to say that guilt is a good thing!  Without it, we couldn’t be saved.  With guilt, we can correct our lives. 

I.  Guilt is a terrible feeling.

          A.  Guilt is what we feel when we know we have done something wrong.  It is the knowledge of our error that causes us to feel bad.

          B.  However, people have this idea that we shouldn’t cause another person to feel guilt.  In other words, they advocate that we should never inform another person of his error because it could cause guilt.

          C.  However, God has made laws for the express purpose of causing the guilt in man (Rom. 3:19).

          D.  Consider James 2:10. 

                   1.  “Guilty” is the convicting a person of his guilt, even if he doesn’t have or feel guilt.

                   2.  It is the same thing that a jury does in a court case.  They determine the guilt of a person even if the person doesn’t feel guilty.

II. Man doesn’t think he should feel guilty.

          A.  Man thinks his ways are always right (Prov. 12:15; 16:2; 30:12).  Yet, the scriptures tell us otherwise (Jer. 10:23).

          B.  Man argues we all have sinned (Rom. 3:23).  That is true; however, that recognition is not there for us to feel guiltless when we sin (Rom. 6:1).

          C.  Man argues that we should not judge (Matt. 7:1) and since judging causes us to feel guilty, identifying sin is wrong.  However, we are to judge righteously (John 7:24). 

III. Guilt is good.

          A.  The good in guilt is to make us feel bad!  In fact, our brother would be doing us a great service by making us feel guilty of our sins (James 5:19-20).

          B.  Guilt will save our souls (Acts 2:37-38, 41)!  “Cut to the heart” meant they felt guilty.  No one has ever been saved without feeling guilt! 

          C.  If we feel guilt it is because our conscience is trying to convict us of our wrong (Example: John 8:7-9).  We will feel guilt every time we sin unless our conscience is hardened to sin (Titus 1:15-16).

          D.  The scriptures make it plain that we should feel guilty of our sins.  The best illustration is in Heb. 10:26-31!  Do you feel guilty now?  You should feel guilty every time you sin!

Conclusion:  I recognize people don’t want to feel guilty.  I recognize many people don’t go to church because they get to feeling guilty.  But if you learn of your error while listening to a sermon, shouldn’t you feel guilty?  If you feel guilty, shouldn’t you do something about it?  Which is worse, feeling guilty so you can correct your wrong or not feeling guilty thereby doing nothing?  You can’t enter heaven unless you receive forgiveness of your sins!

Last modified: 05/02/08