HOW TO RELEASE THE BURDEN OF GUILT: (The Christian Perspective)

CHRISTIAN TREASURE DEVOTION**

HOW TO RELEASE THE BURDEN OF GUILT (The Christian Perspective)

Anchor Scripture:** Hebrews 12:1 (KJV): “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

INTRODUCTION

In 2025, I visited a man in the hospital who was nearing death. He wasn’t just any man; he was a father figure to me. At the time, he was seventy-two. I was aware of his illness before entering his hospital room that fateful Wednesday, having seen him at home about two weeks earlier.

Although I occasionally called to check on his condition, his wife would answer and assure me he was fine. I assumed it was okay if he didn’t want to be disturbed. Fast forward two weeks, and his wife suddenly called, asking me to come to the hospital. When I arrived, I could hardly believe my eyes. He had emaciated significantly and could barely speak; in fact, he was on oxygen. I was shocked by the extent of his deterioration.

I greeted him and assured him that God was in control, but it seemed that was not his primary concern. He appeared to carry a burden he was struggling to release, which no one was aware of. His weak eyes seemed to plead with his wife, as if he were tired of fighting for life.

I drew his wife’s attention to what I noticed, and she began to talk to him. She insisted that he would live and not die, but I still sensed he was quietly begging his wife with his gaze. I advised her that, if they had any unresolved marital issues, she should tell him she had forgiven him. I excused myself, and later, the wife invited me back into the room, saying it was the Holy Spirit working through me. “He came to peace with himself. Immediately after I discussed some issues with him, he smiled faintly, closed his eyes,” she said.

That was the last time I saw him alive. The next day, he passed away.

WHAT IS A BURDEN?

A burden is a load of sins we carry in our hearts. It hinders us from having good relationships with God and with others.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM CARRYING THE BURDEN OF GUILT?

1. Uneasiness: Guilt is a sin, and sin turns people into slaves. When past mistakes constantly haunt you, it signifies a burden. The more you cling to guilt, the more enslaved you become by the enemy.

2. Fear: The burden of guilt stems from sins we have committed. Failing to address it properly brings untold hardships and takes away peace of mind, as your heart keeps condemning you for past wrongs.

3 Shame: Carrying burdens is often accompanied by shame. We have been called to liberty in Christ, so if we do not feel free, it is because we are burdened by our sins, which manifest as guilt.

4. Imprisonment: Guilt keeps one in bondage. The thought of past deeds acts as a barrier to your conscience, affecting your relationship with God and with others

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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE BURDEN OF GUILT?

The Bible's position is clearly outlined in Hebrews 12:1, our anchor scripture. It advises us to "lay aside every weight and run the race that is set before us." This passage teaches that we believers are called to run a race and win the prize, but if we carry guilt in our hearts, we cannot succeed. To run the race effectively, we must be free of burdens. No one can win a race while carrying heavy loads; therefore, we must let go of all evil.

HOW TO SET YOURSELF FREE: A WALK TO FREEDOM

Many people ask, "How do I set myself free from this weight, this sin of bondage?” From a biblical perspective, here are some answers:

1. Forgive Yourself: Many say, “I made that terrible mistake; I can never forgive myself.” By holding on to this mindset, you remain in bondage, increasing the weight of your guilt. If you are not careful, you may start to see yourself as a failure or unworthy, and the devil may whisper doubts into your ear, asking whether God could ever forgive you.

2. Confession: First, confess to God through supplication; this is an act of penitence. Pour out your heart to the Holy Spirit. If led to do so, confess to the person you wronged or make amends where necessary.

3. Amendment: Amend your ways. Whatever led you to carry this burden in the past, run away from it. Jesus showed us the best way to resist temptation; when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness after forty days of fasting, He resisted, and the devil fled.

4. Be Grounded in the Word: The devil does not easily give up. The Bible tells us that he left Jesus for a season after tempting Him. Therefore, be grounded in Scripture, be filled with the light, and dwell under the shadow of the Most High God. Jesus Himself declared, “It is written” (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). Trust that there is a Scripture for every temptation.

We face each other.

CONCLUSION: LAYING THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE. Each time we allow guilt to rule us as Christians, we are being unfair to ourselves. Guilts are loads, and no one who wishes to participate in the race for a trophy carries loads. He will only miss the trophy. Therefore, as today's Anchor Exhortation says, let us run the race in liberty not forgetting to lay the foundation of repentance on which is the anchor of our liberty