Information Station: False Guilt

February 2008

The words “sexual abuse” were anathema when I entered first grade.

So I was completely unprepared when a sexual deviate managed to get me alone and fondle me in a way that made me want to curl up into myself, like bugs I saw in the yard.

“Don’t ever tell anyone,” he demanded. And I didn’t.

So I understood when, several years ago, a new friend talked with me about the repeated sexual abuse she experienced as a child. Although middle aged now, she still believed that somehow, she was guilty. Week after week, I assured her that it was the perpetrator who was guilty, not her. Finally, she believed me.

Like my friend and I, those of us who were exploited or rejected often feel irrationally guilty. That “false guilt” is the result of a wrongly taught conscience. It will continue to nag us until we determine to break the habit.

How can we do that?

Learn to recognize the difference between real and false guilt. Real guilt is God’s way of letting us know that we have disobeyed a specific law or principle in Scripture so we can receive forgiveness. False guilt is a by-product of that wrongly-taught conscience. Since people afflicted with false guilt tend to read condemnation into the Word of God that the Author didn’t intend, sufferers may need help from a mature Christian to sort out truth from error.

Confess real sin quickly and accept God’s forgiveness. Denounce false guilt authoritatively. It is not my fault that I do not tithe. My husband earns the living and he refuses to tithe. I’m happy to give God a tenth of any money that is my own.

Ask God to continually renew your mind so you will begin to think correctly. Join a Bible study group in which you can learn from others.

Follow Jesus’ example. When religious leaders questioned his authority, He could have shrunk back with uncertainty. When they accused him of blasphemy because he claimed to be Divine, he could have retreated. When he was accused of not keeping God’s law, he could have questioned his behavior. But not one of those religious leaders was able to burden Jesus with a load of false guilt.

Celebrate! For Christ has indeed set us free.

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