Why do we hold onto guilt? In questioning a child molester who had been arrested, a policeman noticed the man had scars all the way up both arms. The policeman thought the man may have been tortured by an adult when he himself was a child. The policeman pointed to the scars and inquired, "Who did that to you?" The man responded, "I did it to myself."

What function does guilt perform psychologically? Guilt is a way we try to suffer for our sins--a way we mentally punish ourselves. Holding onto guilt is an effort to deal with our sins apart from Jesus Christ.
 

Useless To Those Around Me

When I mentally punish myself for my sins, my focus becomes riveted on myself. The person next to me might be dying inside, desperately needing encouragement, but I'm not thinking about the person next to me.

What is God's prescription for treating guilt? Our hearts are made "clean from an evil conscience" by the blood of Christ. (Hebrews 1O:22) When we sin, God instructs us to confess.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)

God always forgives us when we approach Him on the basis of Christ's sacrifice because Christ paid our debt in full upon the cross. Be it adultery, abortion, child abuse, homosexuality, divorce, murder, or whatever, Jesus' blood has power to cleanse of all unrighteousness.