Welcome Encouragement for Today friends! I’m so glad you hopped over after reading my devotion! I’ll explain in just a minute how to enter today’s giveaway. But first I want to share 3 ways we can replace our guilt-induced doubt with grace-infused confidence pulled from Day 12 of my “60-Days to Stop Doubting Yourself Confident Heart Devotional“:
“She never thought anyone would find out about their affair, but now her secret and her sin would be public.
Just as the people gathered in the temple, surrounding Jesus as he sat down to teach them, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had be caught in the act of adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus,
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.” (John 8:2–6)
They hoped Jesus would condemn her, but the opposite happened.
Instead of lording over her, Jesus lowered Himself before her. Grace knelt down to write on the ground. {tweet this?}
“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. (vv. 6–8)
The Bible doesn’t tell us what Jesus wrote but I’ve always wondered if it was the Ten Commandments, since her accusers said Moses’s law commanded them to stone her. Plus, after writing, Jesus challenged them to examine their own sins and see if any of them were without fault.
When Jesus stooped down to write a second time, perhaps He wrote over the law with redemption. Could it be that He covered the commandments with words like grace, forgiveness, and mercy. Scripture doesn’t say. But we do know that something radical happened. Everyone dropped their stones and walked away.
“At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (vv. 9–11)
In my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today, I shared about a time when I really blew it and guilt convinced me I was no longer qualified for my calling. But God used my friend and spiritual mentor/mom, MaryAnn Ruff, to show me what the redemption of God’s grace looks like. And ever since that day, Jesus has been teaching me how to replace my guilt-induced doubt with His grace-infused confidence.
3 Ways to Replace Guilt-Induced Doubt with God’s Grace-Infused Confidence
Remember: Remember sin is not who you are; sin is what you do.
Although Jesus knew this woman had sinned, He made sure she and the crowd knew her sin was not who she was. It was what she had done.
Her sin didn’t get the final say. Jesus did.
Refuse: Refuse condemnation, but lean into loving conviction.
They hoped Jesus would condemn the woman, but the opposite happened. Instead of lording over her, Jesus lowered Himself before her.
When you fall into a trap of the Accuser (Rev. 12:10), close your eyes and picture Jesus – the person of Grace – kneeling down before you, looking into your eyes and loving you out of your sin.
Ask Jesus to help you recognize condemnation’s accusing statements like “You’re a failure” or “You can never be counted on.”Refuse to listen to his lies. Instead lean into God’s loving conviction that is specific. Instead of a broad, sweeping you-are-a-loser label, Jesus will point out our sin and show us what to do to right the wrong.
Instead of “You’re such a failure,” God might say: You were critical in the way you talked to _________ . You need to say you’re sorry and ask forgiveness. Then tell _____ something to build them up.
Replace: Replace the guilt of sin with God’s redemptive grace.
In the presence of Jesus, the woman’s accusers walked away. He dismissed them one by one, until He was the only one left standing. He replaced their position of authority. He was the only One left speaking into her life.
Jesus help me replace my guilt-induced doubt with God’s grace-infused confidence. @ReneeSwope {click to TWEET}
God’s grace lures us out of darkness; His kindness leads our hearts to repentance. (Romans 2:4)
He wants to draw us away from destructive behaviors that hinder our relationship with Him and others, so we can live in the freedom of His forgiveness and the security of His love.
Lord, You say there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and my life is hidden in You. Thank You that because of Your love and grace, my sin never gets the final say about me—You do! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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I am a guilt ridden and have had feelings of inadequacy since childhood (I’m now 72 years old). NO! This is not due to my parental upbringing who were loving, supportive, and never ever made me feel inadequate or not good enough…when ever I displayed self-doubt…I got nothing but encouragement and love from them. And there is nothing from my childhood experiences that I can blame for this. I have accepted this is just the way I was born to be by God’s Will for me as an individual to overcome. I have been praying, studying the Bible and searching for a long-time to find the key for freedom from my self-destructive behavior. I have offered it up to God but it apparently I keep taking it back for some reason. Have I fallen into the “trap” of the Accuser (Satan and his demons) my entire life? I don’t have that answer. I pray to Jesus everyday and throughout the day as needed to help me to reject Satan as He did in the wilderness, the Garden of Agony, and while on the cross.
A dear life long friend of mine put onto your daily devotionals and highly recommended your book “A Confident Heart” which I will be ordering today. I prayfully hope this may be the “key” to help me set my self right in God’s eyes. He does not want me to dislike myself … after all he doesn’t make junk (an old cliche)
I too would like to thank you for bring me back to center…God is Great.
I struggle with today’s world and want to get back to the simple life. Each morning when God sends the humming bird to my flowers I realize How simple life could be if we let God lead us.
Amen…. God bless you for sharing these comforting and practical truths. Amen to the prayers! Hugs to you.
Thanks so much for the devotional today. As a husband, soon-to-be father, and public school teacher, I’ve struggled with balancing my priorities and making the most of my time. I’ve carried a lot of guilt and shame around through the years, and your devotion reminded me to walk in grace and surrender and speak out of my weaknesses and struggles. Even when I mess up, your words remind me that God sits on a throne of grace, not condemnation. It encourages me to get out and share my message and my struggle with the world to display God’s redemptive and healing power. Thank you so much!
Dear Renee
About 15 years ago, I was verbally abusive to my precious daughter(my only child). She was only six-years old. It’s a long story. I will make it short. I was very hurt and angry with her kindergarten teacher, and I ended up taking the anger out on my daughter. Before my angry outburst, my daughter always called me “mommy bear”. Since the moment she was born, my #1 priority was to protect her. I kept her with almost 24/7 until she started preschool at age two. Well, I ended up breaking her heart with the kindergarten situation. I still have not forgiven myself. I have to take tranquilizer to be able to sleep at night. My heart and soul are taken over by the guilt of breaking my daughter’s heart. I forgot to mention–after I yelled at my daughter, she never called me “mommy bear” again.
I so needed this today.
Hi Renee,
God used you in a mighty way to help me “see” that Jesus
not only doesn’t condemn me He lowers Himself in my presence
forgives me, and grants me HIS mercy and grace!
Wow It is hard for me to get my mind around this
new insight into the depth of My Savior’s love for me
thanks you for your dedication to Jesus and using your gifts to
help fellow sisters in Christ learn to love Him and confidently serve Him.
Everyone should read this book ‘A Confident Heart’!! Church ladies groups should do Bible studies on it too and it would help soo many ladies and even young ladies to grow confident within themselves. I was married out of high school to a very controlling guy and by the age 22 I had a 3 yr old son and a 3 mth old son when their dad abandoned us and I raised them 6 yrs by myself till I remarried. Then I was married 22 yrs and had 4 more children. After a horrible controlling and deceitful marriage, I then went thru a divorce 4 yrs ago..worse part of it was losing my 2nd son from my previous marriage in a horrible motorcycle accident 4/11/11. Hardest thing I have ever had to go thru..and for my kids ages 36-18. I received no money from my sons father..who he only saw maybe 10 times in his life when he was killed at 29 yrs young. Nor from my soon to be ex at the time..but his amazing friends raised every penny thru donations..other events to pay for my sons funeral and they gave me the most beautiful gravemarker I could ever imagine! I was dealt a lot of hard blows thru my divorce..but thu it..and the loss of my son..I’ve found out just how tough I really am. But thru my marriage and him stripping me of any self confidence I felt very beaten down. Then I came across ‘A Confident Heart’..and I felt reborn and empowered. The book showed me where I could be confident in myself again..not an overly proud person..but self confident in myself and thru God who had always been there for me..even when it felt like I was all alone and I wasn’t. I’ve went thru the divorce even after a lot of counseling thru my pastor and his wife and other church leaders but to no avail nor interest from my spouse at the time..I did what I felt I had to. Its not an easy decision to walk away..but it takes 2 and I had tried for over 12 yrs. But thru everything..I have found out just how tough I really am! And I can’t imagine getting thru anything I have without God being a big part in my life. I’m not saying God condones divorce..but God knows my heart..and that’s what I do know.
This book is amazing and I have read it multiple times and have just started it again! I’ve never done the devotional but I’m sure it will go places in my heart I haven’t dealt with. Still such an amazing book that I believe every church ladies group should pursue in their church. Thank you Cindy
In the middle of a storm where family is trying to throw my past in my face like a weapon, the enemy has been trying to grow doubt where there was clear grace. I needed this reminder in the middle of this personal battle more than you’ll know. Thankyou!!!
I am certain that each of us have experienced ‘big’ sin and are still caring shame from it…. but we must realize that sin is sin and once Jesus forgives us, we are to move on with our lives, turning from that sin and live without shame. God’s grace is so wonderful and so abundant – He loves us more than we love ourselves and even more than we can imagine. I love your books and your encouragement Renee, keep it coming. Thanks, Julie
I love your connection between guilt and doubt. So often I doubt if I am “good enough”; I doubt my husband’s love for me, God’s love for me, my ability to train my children in godliness and parent them in a way that reflects God’s loving nature. And all of this doubt is connected to guilt. I feel guilty that I haven’t done enough to be good enough. I feel guilty about not being a “good wife;” for not doing enough to deserve Gods love and for not being a better Mom. I understand the connection between guilt and doubt now! And recognizing the negative pattern is the first step in not letting it wreck my life and hinder what God intends to create and do in my life. Light bulb! Thank you!
This is EXACTLY what I need to get Satan off my back and walk more confidently into His Throne Room as His daughter. Today’s P31 article sounds like to story of my life! Thank you for being vulnerable and transparent. I so NEEDED it. The thoughts (doubt) you shared is a constant “reel” in my heart after each failure from raising my daughters to writing godly pieces, speaking engagements, teaching His Word, etc. I NEED this devotion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much love from one daughter of The King to another 🙂
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-Cyndi Coleman
Mississippi
I almost blew by this devo (hence the late reply). I didn’t view my doubt as guilt induced. Then one sentence hit me in the heart … How can I speak about this if I can’t even live it. I’m currently in the midst of starting a blog. I joined Compel and have the site ready to launch. Two posts are complete and I’m working on the third article. And there I am. Stuck. Feeling unworthy for this calling that was clearly from God. Feeling like I don’t always live out my faith and worried I will be “found out”. Thank you for your boldness of truth. It inspired me today. What He calls us to, He will equip us to do!!