John 8:11 “She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more'”.
Guilt is a nudge that something is wrong but shame that is associated with guilt is agonizing. Shameful guilt can harm us both psychologically and physically. Guilt that is not admitted, repented and corrected will become detrimental. Guilt should lead to conviction and not condemnation. To decipher the difference between conviction and condemnation is absolutely essential for growth and maturity. Condemnation stunts spiritual growth but conviction stimulates spiritual maturity. Condemnation makes you feel like you are not worthy of respect or love but conviction on the other hand makes you strong and dignified. Condemnation stirs up remorse. Feeling sad about something that we should not have done is not going to undo the action or the damage. Conviction on the other hand leads to repentance and resolute determination to choose righteousness.
The accusers of the woman, who was caught in adultery, tried to shame and condemn her before Jesus. Little did they know that Jesus came to set the captives free! He came to open the prison doors and liberate the addicts, adulterers and the astringent, from the chains of condemnation and curse. Adultery deserved death under the Mosaic covenant. However, repentance freed the adulterer from the death sentence under the New Covenant of the blood of Jesus. Jesus eliminated the condemners by imposing a convicting question on them. “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7b). “Those who live in glasshouses should not throw stones”. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there (John 8:9). The oldest among the accusers was the first to be convicted so he left. Conviction brings correction, however a harsh judgement reveals a condemned heart. So be careful before condemning anyone. The blood of Jesus sets us free from condemnation.
Freedom from condemnation:
1. Conclusion: Consider God’s thoughts, the truth, before making judgemental comments. Ask yourself the poignant question, “What would Jesus do?” before coming to a conclusion. Consider what Jesus would do before condemning or judging.
2. Condemn: Condemnation is from the devil. Those who condemn others are the devil’s agents. Demons will “guilt-trip” us in order to condemn and stigmatize us. The pain of shame tempts us to hide and shy away from the freedom that Jesus earned for us on the cross.
3. Convict: The Holy Spirit convicts us gently. He is not harsh or brash. He draws us to Him with cords of love. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws (Hosea 11:4a).
Condemnation is from the devil. The Holy Spirit convicts us gently and lovingly to lead us in righteousness and truth.
Condemnation is shameful but conviction is liberating.
John 8:1a There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Compassionate Jesus, guide me to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit who convicts, from the voice of the demons that condemn and shame me. Amen.
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