| 2 Corinthians 7:10 – “Guilt (remorse or sorrow) leads to repentance, and repentance leads to life” |
In his bestselling book, Live No Lies, author, speaker, and theologian John Mark Comer makes a profound distinction between guilt and shame.
“Guilt is about the what; shame is about the who. Guilt says, ‘What I did was bad.’ Shame says, ‘I am bad’.”
Guilt and shame are two very different emotions that lead to two very different destinations.
Guilt (remorse or sorrow) leads to repentance, and repentance leads to life (2 Corinthians 7: 10).
Shame, however, attacks character instead of choices. Shame doesn’t seek improvement.
Guilt brings us closer to a forgiving Father. Shame sends us deeper into the deceiver’s playbook.
In Christ, you are not your past. Acknowledge guilt, avoid shame.
My friend, don’t ever forget this life changing status: “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5: 21, NIV)”
Guilty? Of course. My sin put an innocent man to death.
Shame? Absolutely not. Jesus loved me enough to lay down His life for mine. He performed a prisoner exchange. He is my Lord, my God, my Brother, and my King.
He loves you just as much.
- Jacob Hawk
