Discerning Genuine Guilt

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We are all guilty of many things (Jas 3:2). There are things we do that we shouldn’t. These are sins of commission. In addition, there are things which we should do which we don’t do. These are sins of omission (Jas 4:17). Then there are matters that are not intrinsically wrong. However, if we do them against our conscience, when we believe they are wrong, then this, too, is wrong because everything we do should be based on our conviction that God approves of our behavior (Rom 14:23, AB). 

None of us is an island. We belong to various groups to which we owe a responsibility to prevent wrong or speak out against it to whatever degree we are capable (Mt 18:15). Some may be called to speak out more on a particular area than another. We don’t all have the same assignment from the Lord. Yet, there is a general responsibility to not simply ignore wrongdoing when we have been placed in a position to do something about it.

With those who were so self-serving or self-righteously unwilling to see their wrongdoing, Jesus could be quite vigorous in His rebukes (Mt 23:33). For those who were at all open, however, such as the woman at the well (Jn 4), He dealt with their failings with gentleness and compassion. How much more should we, whose actions, thoughts, and motives are so often blameworthy be kind and empathetic toward those who also fall short?

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