“Why Do I Feel Guilty About Feeling Good About Myself?”

Steve Brown and I were on the radio the other day and a lady called in with this question: “I know God forgives me and loves me. Why do I sometimes feel guilty about feeling good about myself?”

Ah…guilt again. We’re never really very far away from guilt are we? Sometimes it’s my constant companion. It’s definitely one of the Enemy’s primary weapons. Satan loves to make Christian men (and women) feel guilty and dirty and shameful, just by accusation.

That’s one reason we feel guilty about feeling good about ourselves: Satan launches the barb of accusations against us as if the Gospel doesn’t change our entire identity!

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

I Peter 5:8-11  NASB

Kick His Teeth In with the Gospel

Guys, when guilt like an arrow hits you hard and knocks you off balance, remember you have an enemy who doesn’t want you confident in your identity as a forgiven and loved son of God. Turn and look at the lion from hell and kick him in the teeth with the Gospel. He always runs because he’s a defeated coward.

We also feel guilt because we know what’s going on inside us…I know more bad about me than anyone will ever know…and so sometimes when I feel good about myself, I see my own sin pretty clearly…the selfishness…the anger…the way I judge others and smugly pat myself on the back…I feel good, and then I see my bad. Guilt surfaces quickly. That’s not all bad.

It’s pretty easy for me to alternate between arrogance and shame like a pin ball.

The Gospel balances us out…giving us the opportunity to repent of arrogance and look to the freeing power of the Gospel and remember that Jesus died and rose again for me, so I’m loved.

You are too!

Pure

We feel good about ourselves in a Gospel way, when we see ourselves not based on our performance, but on how the Father sees us. Which is through His Son…pure.

That will change your life!

You take it to heart!

Pete