The Dangers of Guilt and Regret

The world describes the difference between guilt and regret as follows:

Guilt: doing something that we know is wrong while we are doing it, typically for ethical, moral or legal reasons.

Regret: is the emotion we experience when we look back on an action and feel we should or could have done something differently.

In the world, we rely on our incomplete knowledge and our emotional reactions. By doing so, we legitimize our decisions going forward. No one says, 'I will do wrong.' Instead we act based on what we know or feel is right.

As believers, we are to set aside our reliance on worldliness, and we are also called to deny our reactions that are emotionally natural to us. This separates us from mankind, because we deny these ways in order to have holiness replace our natural reliances. The world and the children of the world do not recognize the Holy Spirit that comes through our service, and with that, many negative reactions come from it.

Still, reactions such as guilt and feelings of regret cause believers to stumble. This is not holiness. The Holy Spirit does not guilt, holiness is founded on love and mercy. So the guilt is itself a human distinction. And it is based on what we should be setting aside. Our knowledge base as those who grew up in their transgressions, is the root of our guilt. Guilt is also a bad fruit of false teachings and religious dogma, which use guilt to control believers through a state of self righteousness. (If you do what we say, you will be seen as righteous). But this of course is foolish, as:

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Ephesians 2:9,10

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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

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not by works, so that no one can boast.

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Regret is also not holy. Regret is also not humility. Regret is an emotional response, that causes us to reflect on negative aspects of our past actions. The Holy Spirit does not guide us to regret, nor does the Holy Spirit lead us to reflect on the past. The Holy Spirit, as with all holy acts, guides us in the present moment, as this is where Truth resides. Regret is a natural way for us to reflect on hurt, and then adds to our knowledge base for future choices. None of this honors God through His Truth.

Faith is a holy act. Faith is of the Holy Spirit, not a measure of self righteousness based on knowledge. Faith can only come through us when we are void of self, and separate from our worldly reactions. The world itself yearns to see the time when it can recognize faith instead of the failings of imperfect knowledge. The bondage of the world and the poverty of the flesh are a state of dominion which will pass away. But until that beginning, believers must strive to walk in opposition to what is currently the natural state of things.

Most of us were not raised as Jews under Law. We did not grow by the statutes and commandments, following ordinances and customs that would find us able to judge each other rightly. Our faith is what allows righteous acts to come through us. Only through faith can perfection come through us, and only because we have set ourselves aside in order for this service to be possible. We leave judgement up to the Lord, and we strive to face each day with faithfulness.

We stumble. Most of us were raised in our transgressions. And we live in nations where worldliness is empowered as is the enabled flesh. The liberties and freedoms human authorities supply, only serve the bondage of the soul. True freedom is found in faith that Christ Jesus is our door to the presence of the Almighty. And that could never have happened without grace.

Grace came at the cost of the blood of the final sacrifice. Jesus died so that our sin would no longer be counted against us who hunger and thirst for the Father's righteousness. Jesus took on the form of man so that he could face and overcome all that we are bound by. Grace then exists so that we can be free to approach the Father through him. Understanding grace makes it possible to overcome guilt and regret.

A repent of sin, comes with tears in most cases. It in every case should be tears of joy and relief. Joy because you have recognized what you are bound by, and you are then capable of putting it at the foot of the cross. Relief because by placing your sin at the foot of the cross, you have honored the Father through His Son, by showing growth in holy wisdom.

Yet many repent sin because of guilt or regret, and this is because they have been misguided by foolish teachings and false ministry. If your guilt or regret are the reasons you repent, you have no need of grace, therefore are not acknowledging the gift of salvation through the blood of the Holy Lamb of God. Grace is from the Father for those who recognize His Son.

This was written to encourage you to no longer accept guilt or regret from yourself or the judgement of others. In order to have faithfulness, you must deny yourself, including the traits that describe correction as possible with the strength of Christ in you. It is a journey of unlearning worldliness and embracing holiness. As the body of Christ we walk this together with the Holy Spirit and in the Salvation afforded us.

Carry On!