Anchored in Christ or Anchored By Sin
Weighed Down by Guilt?
Are you often weighed down by the guilt of your sins?
Are you constantly reminded of them by those you’ve hurt—or the vivid memories of your sinful choices?
Does it seem like no matter how often you’ve repented, asked for forgiveness, and made attempts to change, you’ve continued to fall into the same trap?
Does forgiveness feel withheld—by you, by others, even by God Himself?
I know I can’t be the only one.
I believe today’s post will help us shift our focus from sin to Christ, offering mental and emotional freedom from sin and guilt—even if it’s just for me.
Guilt That Leads to Death
Guilt is heavy.
Its weight can be so enormous that it paralyzes us.
Imagine being stuck under an elephant—you won’t be going anywhere until the elephant is gone.
When we allow guilt to sit that heavy on us, it becomes the elephant planted on our chest—keeping us from moving forward in life.
Unhealthy guilt leads to shame and condemnation. And when shame goes unregulated, it can potentially lead to suicidal thoughts (Schore, 2014).
From a biblical perspective, here’s what we know about our adversary, the devil:
Revelation 12:10
“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.’”
John 10:10
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
The one who accuses us before God, day and night is the devil. So of course he’ll try to constantly remind us of our sins desiring that it will lead to our ultimate demise.
But don’t overlook the second half of John 10:10:
Jesus came to give us life—abundant life.
Guilt That Leads to Repentance
There’s another side of guilt—a holy side.
2 Corinthians 7:10
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
Godly sorrow is different.
If your sorrow leads you to repentance and reconciliation, that is a good thing. It means your heart is still soft toward God.
If you can sin and feel nothing?
That’s when you should worry.
Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
Yes, we mess up.
But that doesn’t mean we’re called to live in guilt.
We must acknowledge our sin, confess it, repent—and then let go.
Galatians 5:17 and 1 Peter 2:11 remind us:
There’s a war between our flesh and the Spirit.
Health Guilt vs. Unhealthy Guilt
Healthy Guilt
Purpose= Leads to repentance and growth
Duration= Temporary, followed by healing
Source= Holy Spirit conviction
Response= Confess, seek forgiveness, change
Unhealthy Guilt
Purpose= Traps you in self-condemnation
Duration= Lingering, heavy, hopeless
Source= Enemy accusations/ self-doubt
Response= Hide, spiral, isolate
Sin Binds, Christ Frees
Sin can trap us in an endless spiral:
Guilt. Shame. Depression. Anxiety. Fear. Low self-esteem. Bitterness. Anger. Unforgiveness. Isolation.
This is exactly what the enemy wants.
A Quick Tangent on Isolation
Isolation isn't always bad—it can be a time of reflection and closeness with God. But it also comes with risks:
Genesis 2:18
“And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’”
Hebrews 10:25
“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Predators hunt the isolated.
Lions go after the isolated, weak, sick, old, young, (spiritually)- stupid; foolish; naïve; prideful; arrogant; blind; and careless.
So if the devil is like a lion, let’s not make ourselves an easy target.
Stay in godly community. Surround yourself with others who will speak life and truth to you when guilt tries to pull you under.
I Digress (But Not Really)
If sin binds, then Christ sets free:
John 8:34–36
”34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
We don’t have to carry the weight of our sin.
Even when we stumble again and again, Christ is faithful:
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
“Will God Keep Forgiving Me?”
I’m glad you asked:
In Matthew 18:21–22 we read a conversation between Peter and Jesus
Peter: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus: “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
That’s not a math limit—it’s a mindset.
Jesus is saying: keep forgiving.
And if He asks us to forgive that way, we can trust God the Father will forgive us that way too.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to stay stuck in guilt.
But we can’t let it become shame… or hopelessness… or despair.
Romans 8:1 doesn’t say:
“There is no condemnation for those who are in (insert the name of someone you hurt).”
It says:
“There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Even if those you hurt never forgive you. Even if the relationship is never repaired.
God has forgiven you. God still desires to have a relationship with you.
Your identity, your hope, your life—they’re all in Christ, not in others.
He has known you from the beginning.
He predestined you.
He called you.
He justified you.
He will glorify you.
(Romans 8:29–30)
Our salvation is found in God through Christ!
Okay, Final-Final Thoughts
When the accuser accuses. When guilt creeps in. When your mind wants to spiral.
Declare the truth. Say these Scriptures aloud:
John 10:10
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”Proverbs 24:16
“For a righteous man may fall seven times, and rise again…”1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
Psalm 145:8
“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion. Slow to anger and great in mercy.”Psalm 86:5
“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
Let’s also make sure that we are not doing the devil’s work by accusing those who have hurt us. Instead, we must ask God to help and show us how to forgive.
May the Lord bless you, keep you, shine His face upon you, and be gracious to you.
Schore, A. (2014, June 15). Dr. Allan Schore on the role of shame in suicide [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2zBemb46Zo