Innocent Until Proven Guilty
We should presume ourselves and others to be innocent unless God clearly shows otherwise. This can be seen, for instance, in Num 5:23-24 where the woman was innocent unless the Lord caused circumstances to indicate she was guilty (IVPBBC note). Some, who have seared or underdeveloped consciences take this as a license to engage in much that is wrong. Others, on the other hand, have consciences that are so scrupulous and mis-trained (often through not knowing how to properly interpret Scripture), that they develop areas in which they are scrupulous and improperly guilty. An example would be the false teaching of the Judaizers that said the Gentiles were sinning by not getting circumcised. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) recognized that this was not a sin. Once the Gentiles understood this, they would not feel guilty (Acts 15:24, JNTC note). We must strongly resist both errors: a conscience that is either underdeveloped or too scrupulous.
When guilt is genuine, we must ask the Lord to forgive us (1 Jn 1:9). In addition, we must ask Him to show us valid guilt which we do not now perceive (Ps 19:13, Tanakh). However, unearned guilt must be rejected. Furthermore, we may need another’s help to realize we have been mis-trained. Let us recognize and deal with valid guilt but reject invalid guilt. After all, valid guilt distances us from the Lord (Isa 59:2) while false guilt cripples us.
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.