Introduction

A. “I am guilty. I confess it. There are so many things I have done that I am ashamed of. I have been guilty with the thoughts of my mind; I have been guilty with the words of my mouth; and I have been guilty with the actions of my hands.”

B. We live in a world that hates the idea of feeling guilt. We are becoming a society without shame—a society where every sin, of every kind, is permitted. In fact, the only sin you or I can ever commit, they tell us, is the sin of “feeling guilty.”

I. Who are those who do not want to feel guilty?

A. Those who reject God also reject the idea of feeling guilty (Psalm 14:1).

B. Those who claim some belief in God may reject the idea of feeling guilty (cf. Matthew 14).

C. Even those who claim to be Christian/religious people may reject the idea of feeling guilty (cf. Acts 7).

D. Some of us may reject the idea of feeling guilty.

II. Does God want for some people to feel guilty?

A. He wants for disobedient people to feel guilty (Genesis 3).

B. He wants for criminals to feel guilty (Genesis 4).

C. He wants for unconcerned parents to feel guilty (1 Samuel 3:11-14).

D. He wants for immoral people to feel guilty (Jeremiah 6:15).

E. He wants for fallen/sinning disciples to feel guilty (2 Samuel 12:7-9).

F. He wants for good unsaved people to feel guilty (Luke 18:11-12).

III. Why does God want for some people to feel guilty?

A. He wants them to feel guilty so they may repent (Acts 2:36; 2 Corinthians 7:10).

B. He wants them to feel guilty so they stop feeling guilty (1 Peter 3:21).

Conclusion

A. Feeling guilty is a good thing if it leads you to repentance.

B. “I was guilty, but I have been forgiven by the Lord.” Have you?