Matthew 27:3-5 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Guilt is slow poison that will ultimately kill you. Guilt is an emotional discomfort you feel when you believe that you were responsible for something that offended or hurt someone else. Guilt progresses into shame and anxiety. Science explains it as biopsychosocial inflictions of emotional pain that accelerates aggressive instincts. Hidden sin can traumatize and torture a person. Shame debilitates self-confidence and drains courage. When blaming turns inwards, it attacks the self-image and tarnishes self-worth. The person finds no worth in them as guilt warps their inner being with darkness. They find no reason or purpose in living which is when the spirit of suicide overtakes.
Guilt and shame insinuated suicide and pushed Judas who betrayed Jesus to commit suicide. He betrayed His Lord and His Master Jesus for 30 silver coins. Judas was a thief. It was his habit to steal money from the moneybag. He was a thief, and had the moneybox; and he used to take what was put in it.” (Judas 12:6). He was the treasurer in the team of 12 disciples so he had easy access to the moneybox. The weakness became his habit. Repeated sin becomes transgressions. Transgression is committing the sin over and over again without remorse until it turns into iniquity. Iniquity is wickedness or plotted and planned wrongdoing. Iniquity leaves an indelible mark on the character of the person and curses on the generations to come.
Judas ignored the warning of Jesus. Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” (Matthew 27:25). Hardening the heart over and over again drove Judas to end his life.
How do we deal with guilt?
1. Remorse: Remorse is not repentance. Remorse is feeling sorry about what we have done but repentance is to make a 180 degree turn and go the opposite way. When we repent and commit not to repeat the sin and the Holy Spirit will give us the tenacity to live holy lives.
2. Renounce: There is no sin too big or bad for the blood of Jesus. Jesus died on the cross to repay our stubborn, brutal and boorish sins, transgressions and iniquities. We need not live in guilt or curse once we have surrendered our life to Him.
3. Renew: The blood of Jesus is the ‘divine detergent’ that can remove the stain of sin, guilt, shame, disgrace and curse. ‘The blood’ of Jesus wipes the marred, soiled and damaged past and gives us a brand new start.
We don’t have to live in the guilt of past mistakes and mishaps. Receive forgiveness and restart.
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Prayer: My Dearest Lord Jesus, teach me to use the divine detergent, your precious blood to wash away every blot, blemish and blame. Amen
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