Sometimes our hearts condemn us, and our hearts are just flat-out wrong.

John tells us in his letter, “By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything”. (1 John 3:19-20)

God told us our hearts are “deceitful above all things”. (Jer 17:9) We can’t always trust how we feel.

And sometimes, we feel wrong about ourselves.

Sometimes, our hearts condemn us when they shouldn’t.

I often talk to people who carry guilt and shame for things they’ve already confessed to the Lord. They’ve asked for His forgiveness again and again, but can’t seem to move forward.

At the very beginning of his letter, John, inspired by God, tells us,” If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

But some feel holy holding on to things God has forgiven.

Friend, this is unbiblical and unholy.

Who are we to do this? If The Most High God has forgiven our sin and remembers it no more (Heb 8:12), who are we to keep bringing it up?

And you know what else? Guess who wants to keep us tied up in thinking about our sin? ….The evil one!

Satan can do a lot with guilt and shame! He can convince you that you are no use to God or that you are destined to repeat the same sin. So you stay stuck, and sad, and pretty useless to the Kingdom (just like he wants).

Has the evil one tried to do this in your life? He sure has mine and many others I know.

So when our hearts condemn us for sin we’ve confessed and forsaken, we have to learn to turn our eyes to the One greater than our hearts! He is the Righteous Judge AND our Merciful Father!

And in that moment, speak truth.
Speak it out loud if you have to!

Wash your wrong thoughts with right truth! Listen to songs like this favorite of mine, by Zach Williams https://youtu.be/sQTnREEtuNk

And thank the Lord for His forgiveness and rivers of mercy! And in gratitude, silence the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10), and walk forward to serve the Lord.

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