Outline // Come Follow Me #5: The Cage of Guilt

Part of spiritual growth is recognizing how we have been conditioned and allowing God to recondition the reflexes and instincts that need to change.

Quote from Wild Goose Chase:
“When we sin, guilt is a healthy and holy reflex.  Thank God for the conviction of the Holy Spirit that drives us to repentance. But some conditioned reflexes are like psychological straitjackets that immobilize us emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.  False guilt is a great example.

When we already KNOW that God forgives us, but we continue to hold things over ourselves, and let it come between us and God.  We’ve met many a demon that won’t come out, because of unforgiveness of SELF. When we preach the Gospel to that thing, I AM FORGIVEN because of Jesus!! It leaves.

The moment we confess our sin to god, our sin is Forgiven and forgotten. but for most of us, it is far easier to accept God's forgiveness than it is to forgive ourselves.   Why? Because we can forgive, but unlike god, we cannot forget. if we don't allow the grace of God to saturate and sanctify our sinful memories, we continue to experience false guilt over confessed sin. we become so fixated on past mistakes that we forfeit future opportunities. we mistakenly think our mistakes disqualify us from being used by god. and our feelings of guilt become the cage that keeps us from chasing the wild goose.”

“Whether you're experiencing true guilt that is a byproduct of unconfessed sin or false guilt that is the byproduct of confessed sin, both forms of guilt dull your spiritual sense of adventure. and you won't be able to chase the wild goose until you get past your guilty feelings. the good news is that there's freedom and forgiveness because of what Christ accomplished on the cross. and if you receive his grace it will not only recondition your spiritual reflexes; It will transform your life.”
 
Luke 22:54-62

Nothing reconditions our spiritual reflexes like prayer & fasting.
(worship renews your focus & the Word renews your mind!..but those reflexes…that’s prayer and fasting)

How did Jesus forgive Peter?  He prayed for him!
 
Luke 22:31-32

The enemy's attacks become counterproductive when we counteract them with prayer.

Jesus’ modus operandi seems to be love people when they least expect it and least deserve it.  
He went around touching lepers, eating with tax collectors, hanging out with Samaritans, befriending and redeeming prostitutes.Jesus’ modus operandi seems to be love people when they least expect it and least deserve it.  

John 8:4-11

Challenge: love someone who least expects it, and least deserves it.

Luke 22:61
John 21:15-17

Not only did Jesus TAKE our guilt on the cross…but God also gave us a couple antidotes to the feeling of guilt:

1. Confession! Nothing is as freeing as confessed sin.  Nothing is as isolating as a guilty secret.
2. Recommissioning. The crazy thing is, once you’ve battled your way through something, you’re now anointed to help others through it.