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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For years I have identified myself by my sins which has brought on a world wind of self induced guilt. However, God is bringing me into a place of understanding that allows me know that he loves me despite what I do (sin)and accept me for who I am. I am the child of the great I AM! I’m not deserving of grace but He is overwhelming showering me with his loving grace. I am not sin although sin lies with in me I am His child!
I let doubt and guilt consume me! Guilt, doubt, shame, have stolen my joy. It is so hard for me to accept God’s grace! Maybe I haven’t fully accepted Him like I think I have?
Thank you, Renee, for this precious treasure. My heart is lighter today.
Thanks for reminding me of God’s grace. I also need to extend that grace to others and offer forgiveness!
Thanks got reminding me if God’s grace. I also need to extend that grace to others and offer forgiveness!
Doubt creeps in all the time without warning. It’s then that we should stop and remind ourselves who we are because of what Jesus has so graciously done for us though it’s not always easy after we’ve failed.
“There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” -Romans 8:1
This messages truly, hit home to me. I have struggle my whole life with shame, condemnations, doubts, and guilt. Never feeling good enough for anyone or God’s Kingdom. My life has been nothing but a struggle and at 53 years of age I have never felt truly, loved or acceptance. I have never really felt happiness or had cause to believe that I am just ordinary in a fallen world. I really would loved to win this book to help me settle this once and for all, that I do matter and that God loves me for who I am right now.
Always an awesome devotion.
I always thought that when I lost my temper or had not so nice things to say to a family member that I must be the only one who claims to be a Christian, but I sure don’t act like it. What I am realizing is that is a struggle for us all. Yet by gods grace we are forgiven. Thank you Jesus.
Oh my…thank You, Jesus, that you convict, not condemn. Renee, thanks so much for the reminders that we are not our sin – they don’t define us. This is a Truth God has been sinking into the depths of my heart over the past 10 years. Would love to have a copy of the devo!
Jesus is all we need. Satan comes like a lion and a thief. He wants to destroy. In the name of Jesus do not believe his lies.
Thank you for sharing so openly. I am encouraged to know that I am not the only one who screws up. Even knowing that, Satan loads up the condemnation when I do. By the grace of God, He has and is teaching me to discern His voice and to ignore the lies.
My doubt in myself is brought on by years of feeling like I don’t measure up due to legalism. I’m learning to replace that with grace but it’s a long road toward having confidence in Christ. But if I daily search the scriptures I can learn to claim the victory and promise of our Lord!
Replacing the lies with the TRUTH is just what I need!
I needed that reminder of the difference between conviction and condemnation. I need to only heed the conviction of God not the lying condemnation of the devil.
I love this today, I get s mad at myself many times for not being good enough… Or doing the right thing when I should have.. For losing my temper. This was very good and I would love this devotional.
This message is close to my heart at this very moment . I’m not sure how I feel about my work and sometimes I look at my child raising skills and ask what have I done wrong . Doubt has been spring up everywhere I look. This is just a moment of knowing God doesn’t love me despit my flaws but because of them. Thank you for the reminder.
I needed to hear this. We have recently moved and not found a church home I feel guilty every Sunday we stay home with another excuse that next week we will go. To be honest we have not been in church regularly in years. I do devotions and bible studies on my own and I pray everyday. I know I am saved by grace but I worry I will be condemned forever. I don’t know if this message still applies to me or not but if it does I am so glad.
Thank you Renee – this is just what I needed today! This weekend was spent with a lot of self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness. Between my morning bible study, the Samaritan woman, and this devotional, I am feeling uplifted with how much God loves me – even more so, when I don’t love myself so much.
I Struggle with criticizing my husband. I don’t know what to do with my feelings when he does something I think he shouldn’t do. I see it wearing on him and when I try to do better I guess I try on my own terms.