It’s a word relegated to courtroom dramas where the jury delivers a verdict.

Other than that, it doesn’t bubble up too often in popular culture. It’s considered an ugly word that has no room in our “evolved” modern lives.

I’m speaking of the word, “guilt.”

In our “no regrets” culture, guilt is a taboo emotion, and is used with such disdain it might actually become obsolete.

On the other hand, when the word is employed, its meaning is unabashedly twisted. It’s used to describe enjoyment as if to say ‘guilty pleasure’ is far more rewarding than regular old pleasure.

But Biblically speaking, guilt is not to be dismissed or delighted in. As children of God, we don’t marinate in guilt as if there is no way out of it, nor do we muddle through it with our own efforts.

Instead, can we see guilt as one way God leads us to repentance? What if it’s a grace to experience guilt? When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, it’s never to condemn us but to free us to experience a deeper relationship with God.

In Psalm 32, David speaks of how when he kept silent about his sin, he wasted away even as guilt gnawed at his peace. But when he acknowledged his sin before the Lord, his burden was lifted as God forgave the guilt of his sin.

Here’s the thing: Unconfessed sin, no matter how expertly camouflaged, erodes something in us.

Like Adam and Eve, we may hurriedly sew fig leaves to try and cover up our wrongdoing. We may act like we can handle our sin and its consequences on our own. We may try to ignore it or justify it or do enough “good” stuff to negate it. But the guilt hangs around like stale cologne, even after the pungent stench of sin may have dissipated.

But there is an alternative: We can drop the masks. We can humble ourselves before God. No sin is too ugly or too deeply entrenched for Him to forgive.

None of us has a perfect track record. It’s just that we get wrapped so tight in self-righteousness that we simply can’t accept that we are sinners. Redeemed sinners, yes. But still sinners in dire need of God’s forgiveness and grace.

Scripture lays it out clearly: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1: 8-9)

Pretending our way out of sin is not an option for a believing Christian. Trying to preserve our “Christian” reputation will only leave us in a greater mess, a downward spiral of lies and cover-ups. In owning up to our sins, our reputations may take a beating but our relationship with Jesus grows stronger.  

Friend, maybe as you read this, you’re thinking of a particular situation that you’ve kept under wraps because you’ve felt guilty about it. But conviction is not meant to drive you into darkness. It’s meant to draw you to the Light. If you feel like it’s time to bring your situation before Jesus, here’s a prayer to say over your situation:

Lord, may my pride not keep me from recognizing that I am a sinner in need of grace. May I not allow shame to hold me back from Your forgiving embrace. Would You redeem my story even though I don’t deserve it? In Jesus’ name. Amen

When Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden” perhaps He doesn’t just address those experiencing trials. Perhaps, He also speaks to those carrying the crushing weight of trying to right their wrongs with self-prescribed solutions.

If you and I are done pretending like we’re perfect, we have the freeing option of going to the Lord just as we are. Just. As. We. Are. May we actually welcome the unlikely gift of guilt so it is part of our vocabulary. May we see it as a “check engine” alert in the vehicle of our lives. Sooner or later, even the smoothest rides will sputter to a stop. May we not wait till we’re running on fumes. Instead, may we let the nudge of the Holy Spirit lead us to a place of brokenness and repentance before Him.

He waits for us with open arms, ready to lift that burden of sin and the weight of self-righteousness. There is no other solution. Jesus is the answer.

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