Let’s Continue on the Platform of Grace - Chapter #3:
Did you catch that? Only Jesus can do the work of extricating us from the tyranny of darkness. And the next exclamation for the believer from Paul’s lips is:
No more condemnation
No more accusation
No load of guilt to bear
Yet why did I, like so many others, wear guilt as robe made of iron around my life for decades?
We can look back to the scourge of the twin sisters of pride and shame we have in our lives. Shame that infiltrates our soul whispering, “You really won’t ever rise above your weakness and failings.” So, we try harder to do better and pride raises her ugly head to mask our shame and say, “I can do anything I want, I can change this behavior. I know I can lick this ________ (fill in the blank with the struggle) and prove to everyone that I do have worth.”
“Why did I say that!!?
“Why did I do that again!!?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Lord!”
I know I am not the only one who has ever experienced this. Whenever I share this portion of my freedom story about the devastating guilt that beat me down, I inevitably see nodding heads in agreement all over the room. These folks, as well, have battled condemnation’s lash marks upon the backs of their minds.
Especially those of us who are perfectionists. Or control freaks. Ahem. You know who you are, and truthfully, we are almost all perfectionists or controlling to some degree or another, in some area of lives. The danger is when our perfectionism drains over into our perception of how we live as Christians. The guilt can be crushing. When doing life perfectly equates to our value or worth, guilt rushes in to sabotage our thoughts and emotions when we have blown it once again; not living up to our own expectations for ourselves.
And yes, not only do we beat ourselves up, we have an accuser as well.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:10
Old Lucifer himself, the king of accusation and falsehood, comes dancing by our doorstep to sing into our ears, “There you go, again.” Although Satan is finite and not omnipresent, his demon horde accuses us just as well as he can. These unholy spirits can take advantage of our weaknesses and failings. They seem always nearby with a disparaging or accusing word to speak into our thoughts.[i] Along with our own accusatory voice, these weak spirits can keep us locked in various areas of struggles because we let them hold the key. The key of the guilt. The enemy whispers, we speak to ourselves, and the emotions of guilt, shame, and failure can seem overwhelming at times.
But no more.
[i] James 3:14-16