HOW TO HANDLE SELF CONDEMNATION
SCRIPTURE:
“This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” (1 John 3:19—24)
OBSERVATION:
John shows believers how one KNOWS THAT THEY BELONG TO THE TRUTH and how we SET OUR HEART AT REST in his presence. There are many times, as a believer, we don’t struggle with thoughts of condemnation when we feel we have fallen into some sinful behavior or attitude. How does one deal with condemnation? Whenever we feel condemned, we do not have rest and peace in our hearts. The power and the effect of sin are working to steal our rest and peace in the Lord.
John gives us the assurance of how to STAY BELONG TO THE TRUTH AND how to SET OUR HEARTS AT REST IN OUR FATHER’S PRESENCE. I am reminded of the scripture that says to come into God’s throne room boldly to receive mercy and grace in our times of need. John is reminding believers HOW TO STAY IN THE TRUTH AND SET THEIR HEARTS AT REST IN THE PRESENCE OF THE FATHER…
- If our hearts condemn us, WE KNOW God is greater than our hearts. WE KNOW God is greater than our hearts accusing us of wrongdoing.
- GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING…God knows everything about our situations and sees that we are sometimes weak in making the right choices. God knows it’s not your fault that you are in the situation that you are in. God Knows Everything.
- If our hearts condemn us, WE HAVE CONFIDENCE that God will continue to provide for us anything we ask BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS COMMANDS AND DO WHAT PLEASES HIM.
John reminded me today what those commands are. Jesus commands us, no matter what the situation may be and how hard or bad the situation may be; this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he is in them. And this is how we know he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” We KNOW that God is greater than our condemning hearts because the SPIRIT gave us that assurance.
APPLICATION:
So often, I fall under the condemnation of my own stupidity and knowingly decide things that are not according to God’s will. I feel condemned at times and lost the peace and rest of God because of a misbehaving and ungodly attitude. I am reminded today that the grace of Jesus doesn’t give me a license to sin and do as I please. I am grateful for this reminder that my Heavenly Father is greater than my condemning heart. I will humbly come to him daily in my times of need.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank you for reminding me of how powerful you are against all of my sins and stupid choices. I am grateful for your Holy Spirit, who works to convict and guide you to the changes that please you. Help me to always come boldly to you when I am harassed by my sin. I look to you daily for your guidance and wisdom. Help me to trust in you always and do what is right and pleasing to you. Amen!
