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.
ENTER TO WIN: A Confident Heart Devotional GIVEAWAY
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Click “Share Your Thoughts” below to share how today’s devotion or post spoke to your heart. Your comment will be your entry to win!
I am having one of those guilt ridden days today. I know grace is given to us by Christ; I’m praying for me to learn to accept and embrace His grace.
This was just what I needed! I had my own episode over the weekend and found myself doubting my ability to be good wife, Mother, and follower of Jesus! How can I lose myself like I do and He still believe in me?! But His grace is the reason…thank you for this…it came at the perfect time!
Renee, thank you for your transparency. Believers need to see that we all struggle and are not perfect but we have one who is and he offers us perfect grace and mercy. I could so relate to your devotional. Been there and then satan uses it to condemn and try to cripple us from working for the kingdom. Would love to read more of your devotions!
Thank you I needed to hear this today in regards to my spouses very poor choices and his continuation in not digging into those choices.
I am constantly struggling with doubt and condemning thoughts. I am in ministry and between that and being momma to my four kiddos I certainly have a lot of condemning feelings and thoughts. God has really been showing me that I need to focus on the difference between the condemnation from the enemy and true conviction from Him. When I am so down on my self, I really try and remember that God loves me and I am not always going to do everything perfectly. I am not superwoman (although sometimes I try to be) and I have to be ok with not always being perfect with everything.
This the third time I have tried to finished my message. The first time I was in a cancer clinic waiting for my husband while he was getting a radiation treatment. He finished his treatment before I finished my response.
Sorry if you get a double message. Most of the time if I just close my tablet it is saved.
I read your message under encouraging text for today. It was very helpful because I still feel guilty when I get mad I sin with words out of my mouth. Afterwards I pray for forgiveness but I often still feel guilt instead of forgiveness because of the grace of God. I don’t act out this sin very much but I do it before I even think of
another way to get my feelings across. I know the I am a child of God and because of grace I shouldn’t feel so guilty but I do’. I think your book will help me to be better to learn to accept God”s grace and change my
behavior because I have been forgiven and think of that before words are said.
Well at this moment, I am getting accused of something I didn’t do. The rumor is that I’m trying to steal and sleep with one of my relative’s husband. I’m just can’t believe that. This is the story that I was thinking about how Jesus forgive the adultress. But as for me, I didn’t do anything and not even think like that about this person. But like the bible says the truth shall set you free. It made me mad but I just have to be still. Please keep me in prayer.
Thank you for your devotion. Stress in life tends to make me feel inadequate and even sometimes feel cranky with those around me. I want to continue focusing on God’s mercy and grace, I want to spend more time realizing that God is in control of my life and all I need is to allow his mercy and grace to carry me through each day. I would love a copy of your devotional to continue to stay focused on God.
Yesterday evening I learned something about my teenager that really upset me, more than upset me…it made me furious! My words spewed out like knives at my son, I could see it in his eyes and facial expressions but I couldn’t stop. When I finally did stop, I felt horrible and more negative emotions followed. After taking away all his electronics and grounding him, I went to wash dishes. As I was washing dishes a huge knot grew in my throat as my condemning, horrifying words echoed in my head along with flashes of images of my teenagers facial expressions. I felt like I was suffocating, I wanted to cry and scream and then I started to condemn myself….I was a horrible mother, a failure, a disappointment, what kind of mother uses those kinds of words to their own son?!?! I left my house to clear my head talk about my horrific actions to my neighbor, just to get it out of my system, I cried and felt so guilty. She agreed that my words were not the best choice but his punishment was just. She also said that it was never a good idea to be prideful, especially to your children. After clearing my head, something was nudging my heart to go back and apologize…as I went back to the house, my teenager approached me and from the look on his face he was feeling like I was. He started with apologizing to me for what he had done, he recognized his wrong doing and accepted and understood the consequences of his actions. He continued telling me that he loves me and that he doesn’t like when I get after him. My heart sunk…after the harsh verbiage I had used towards him he still made sure that I knew that he loves me! The holy spirit was working in both of us at the same time! I forgave him and I also asked him for forgiveness for the poor choice of words that I used. His innocent eyes stared into mine as I was struggling to keep mu composure, but I couldn’t….I cried. My youngest heard me cry and he came to hug me.
One of the main things I pray for is to be a godly mother, one with wisdom, love and knows how to balance love and discipline. Although, apologies were exchanged and forgiveness was accepted, of course being me, I was haunted by my words and my sons’ facial expressions as I was laying in my bed…it was a rough night. This morning I woke with the mission of reading my devotional, some scriptures, some Unveiled wife and Proverbs31.org and here it was, plain as day….what Our Father God knew that I needed to read, see and reflect….I prayed and I felt a relief, I forgave myself and just like my teenager, I learned the mistake I made and will try and make a better choice in the future whenever I come up against something like this again. Thank you for your encouraging words and for taking the time to go deeper and writing about “Replacing Guilt with Grace”.
I have been going thru a tough patch for the past several weeks, one reason I happened onto the Proverbs31.org website. It must be apparent on my face, in my voice, and in all my actions because everyone is asking about what I have going on that has me so down. I have just continued to call out to GOD thru this and I know HE is here for me, I just need to wait….
Our Sunday School study was on John 8 and this was another view of God’ mercy and grace. In today’s world we all need to love as Jesus loves and forgives because we are all sinners.
Thank you for your for giving your time to give food for thought.
Thank you for this devotion and for the chance to win. I am so thankful that sin does not have to leave us defeated. Christ has conquered sin’s power and covers it in His grace. What a comfort to know. I can move forward today and everyday because I am forgiven and God is for me.
Thank you for thus devotion from one who was feeling I can never get it right … take one godly step forward, and two guilt-induced steps backwards. Going to try it again depending on His grace.
~Mo
Just this morning I had a talk with my husband and how insecure and guilt ridden I’ve felt lately about if I’m doing the best for the kids, doing ENOUGH for them, etc… This came start perfect time!!
Thank you for this wonderful devotion today. It fed me the word of god and was exactly what I needed to hear today. Very profound and will stick with me. I struggle with the feeling like I am not good enough cause I sin like every human being; got to realize we are not perfect only God is and we have to strive to be like him but there will be times we fall short.
Always feel like im not good enough…this is a reminder Gods grace is always sufficient.
Thank you so much for this devotional! I’ve been struggling with the past and guilt for over a year. It’s a daily struggle and I need the reminder everyday, that Jesus loves me and forgives and wants to help me move forward. I can’t worry about what people think and let the guilt consume me and give up. God has a plan for me still and I need to follow His plan.
I am constantly doubting myself as a Mom. When my kids tell me “I’m I bad person”, I replace it with “No, you did something bad but you are still a great person. We all make mistakes.” However, I am not so forgiving with myself. I need to remember God’s grace. Perfection is not existent. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
“Refuse condemnation, but lean into loving conviction.” Love, love, love this as it is something I struggle with. Jesus doesn’t condemn us with sweeping statements about how we don’t measure up but lovingly points out specific sin! Thank you so much for the reminder this morning of how much God loves me and how his grace covers me!
All I can say is WOW! This is just the encouragement I needed to begin my week.
This past week was not a great one for me, but it’s lovely to know that God extends his grace, mercy and forgiveness to me as well as blessing me with another week to get things right.
Thank you for this!
I too am feeling much like the “Woman at the Well” today. I have read both Renee’s book and done the double diet in the past but I feel like I am falling down in everything I thought I could, would, and should do at this time and don’t seem to be able to get things in order anywhere! My mind seems to be spilling over. I don’t seem able to complete a thought well, type this, or do anything well this morning. I got up early, thought I had things all in order and cannot get it right no matter how hard I keep trying.
I even had Renee’s book on the table last week-intended to open it and maybe read it again to help me get myself straightened out, put it back on the shelf because I was already over-whelmed and tired, and knew I had so much to do. I thought better than adding one more thing to my already “Long list of To Do’s” and then, even got out my Nook, I have the Doubt Diet on it. Didn’t do that either!
I know God must be watching me and saying, “I’m here, stop, pray and I will help you! But I cannot seem to even accomplish that. Help me Lord, I know you are aware of the mess I am making of everything I keep trying to do and cannot seem to finish or accomplish anything at all. My mind is now so full I am getting a headache. I know the song “I Need to Be Still” would help but am afraid to even try to sing it and go forward. Forgive me Lord, I know You say,” You will never leave me nor forsake me”. I believe that too. But don’t’ know how to get an idea of what to do next and what is the priority.
Help me Jesus. Mary Kaiser
Isn’t God timely in his message(s) to us???? Just when we want to give up, there is encouragement ~ thank you for delivering just the encouragement I needed today!
I was just talking with a friend yesterday about how the enemy loves to use truth against me. It would have been so easy to be crushed by some things my pastor said in his message at church yesterday. What he was talking about pierced my heart with laser precision. I always know it’s God convicting me when this happens, but the enemy loves to take the opportunity to twist it into condemnation. On the drive home from church (and a good portion of the rest of the day) I had to ask God to help me keep these things in proper perspective and allow Him to use them the way He intended. I never cease to be amazed by how much God loves me! He’s always faithful to point out the hard stuff and He’s always here to help me work through it.
Thanks for the encouragement!
I love what you said from Day 12 of your Devotional. “Sin is what we do, not who we are.” Too often we allow satan’s lies to take root and grow in our hearts. We’re all going to make mistakes, but His grace is sufficient! I have a friend that is stuck in the guilt of sin like the story of the adulterous woman in John 8. I have tried talking with her and constantly pray and fast for her, but she’s still stuck there. I would love to bless her with your devotional. Perhaps reading it will stir her heart and allow her to ask for forgiveness and move forward in Christ. Thank you.
It’s so easy to fall into the habit of letting the enemy pull you into self-criticism – I thank you for the thoughts that remind me of God’s love, promises and power. <
Dear Renee,
The morning started by not being able to access the First 5 app I usually go to. So
thankful that turned out to be a God detour taking me here.. I just finished an excruciating Parents Weekend at my son’s university. Of course it’s supposed to be a happy opportunity to share a little of their lives at college. But there is this wall around him to keep us at distance and I’m not sure exactly what my sin is or how to make thinges right. I constantly feel I’m flunking parenting – even when I send him a “care package” (how can you go wrong there??) he won’t acknowledge it. My heart is so broken that the same child I used to be so close to is so far away even whe n standing next to me. And I have terrible guilt that I lost my job some months ago – I work now but hardly any income, we’re in debt and scraping for money to send him back for his next semester – I feel lIke I cant spend any thing on myself. Sometimes my dear husband has bought marked-down chicken necks & gone crabbing so we would have food for dinner. I have a hard time trusting God’s plan bc I feel why would he make me this way, a woman of sorrows, plagued by clinical depression and anxiety so much of my life and terrified I could be hurting my son with it. It is hard to go on some days. If I won your book it would feel like God is giving me a sign to keep pressing on, and I hope it could help me heal. But if I don’t I would still like to get it. Thanks for listening. Ps. I’m so glad you included the “beep” part of the story, because I so needed to laugh – not at you but WITH YOU! Love to you & all who are reading today.
What a great devotional. I think we all struggle with not feeling worthy of God’s grace and forgiveness. Accepting that is a struggle. God loves us but hates the sin! Thank you for sharing this.
Today’s message caused me to not just look at my own sin but to reflect on how I treat others who have sinned. I have learnt that our sins dint make us who we are and it wrong to condemn others when they do. Although their sin may cause you to hurt God also calls us to show grace to them.
Lord thanks for teaching me that your grace covers a multitude of sins .thanks for the grace you have shown me.teach me to extend grace to those that hurt me and to surrender them to you.
Thanks to my oldest daughter, she sent me the link to Proverbs 31 Ministries. I am 100% disabled from spine injuries and RA. I thank God on a regular basis for giving me this injury, because someone else out there may not be able to handle the pain as I do. Even though I do sit alone morning and night crying due to the pain and suffering, I know that I am still here for a reason. I love reading the devotions every morning….they give me a sense of being, and for those first 30 minutes of tear stained eyes, I can smile after reading several devotions. I truly believe that God has a plan for me, and all I can do is pray and keep Jesus close to my heart constantly! Thank you Father for being in my heart and soul, even when sin comes out in all areas of my life. I know I’m not perfect by any means and never will be, but I do know that Jesus is within me to help me be strong, and He is there when I don’t think I can go another minute. Bless you all!
This was perfectly timed for me as I have been also struggling with writing a message for an Emmaus Weekend for ladies. I also have been struggling with balance all my many responsibilities to my family and I too have failed many times. I came home yesterday after a weekend helping my oldest daughter who is a freshman in college to my youngest daughter who awaited my return expecting rundown, over worked, stressed out mom. She even felt she needed to catch a quick nap in order to be fresh so she could help me. It hurt my heart to hear those thoughts but I was grateful I did not THIS time come home in that state and I was VERY grateful she knows she can be open and honest with me even if it is to point Me the mom back toward God. I am a very blessed mother.
Thank you for your reminder that I am worthy of God’s Grace and Forgiveness. My Husband of 25 years just left me for another Women. He claims she does not have anything to do with his decision to leave and that it was all my fault for things he blames me for – that happened 5 years ago. I have acknowledged my sins before him and God and asked for forgiveness in which I thought I had received forgiveness from both. The guilt of this sin has been reopened in my life and I can’t seem to lay it down. The hurt and the pain I feel after my soul mate has left me, along with this guilt has been just too much to bare.
I love how you said that God’s grace draws us away from destructive sin and instead toward a deeper relationship with Him. These words were so encouraging to me today!
Love how God’s grace is available all the time! And I really appreciate your honesty because we all fail at times! Thank the Lord for his grace!
So much guilt – so little time. After reflecting on this blog, I realized that a good portion of my day is spent feeling guilty. Did I do everything I could to save my marriage? Was I supportive enough of my son? Did I do my best at work? Am I doing what Jesus wants of me? It’s no wonder I’m exhausted when I fall into bed. The silver lining is that I am constantly reminded of God’s love for me and to just surrender to that love and He will take care of everything else. Maybe not in the way I want or expected, but in His way.
Thank you Rene for this today. It is SO needed for my heart. All to often I feel the failure label; as a wife, mom, daughter. Thank you Jesus for having the last say about me.
I want to get out of the “condemning” cycle. Believing God can do this. Thanks for the devotion today.
I think we all suffer from guilt, and usually we are our worst critic! I have been fighting this for a long time, but memorizing Scripture and God’s promises has helped me alot to quiet that condemning voice in my head.
I am my worst enemy when it comes to how I talk to myself about myself. I was reminded I need to remember what God says about me and how He forgives me. I don’t need to throw stones at myself. I need to run not walk to God’s loving arms.
This is so timely. I have stugglrmed with guilt and condemnation all weekend. Thank you for this devotional.
It’s so refreshing that God’s grace can replace my guilt!
Thank you for your transparency. Just makes me realize none of us are perfect on our own. But in Christ we are made new. I struggle with looking at the women in our church and thinking they are so much better than me. God bless you!
I clicked over from my Proverbs 31 devotional and am so glad I did. What a great reminder of Gods grace. I especially needed to hear this. It is very difficult when you have such big mommy guilt and are so convicted of discouraging words or our actions. Even after asking for forgiveness and knowing I am forgiven by God and my kids and husband, it somehow still sticks with me. Reading you blog post was a refreshing reminder of Gods grace and forgiveness and I am for sure my worst critic. My standards are unattainable but Gods are attainable.
Like…my heart got really full and almost as if it has some connection to my eyes they filled with this liquid love as I breathed a sigh of relief reading today’s devotionals posted by your graced hands today Renee. I whisphered within, oh how I need this devotional and even if I’m not drawn, Daddy, You’ll make a way for me to have one. Was just at church yesterday sharing with some Sisters about wanting a new devotional as Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling” has been my devotional since I was led to it in a bookstore back in 2011. Was sharing how I hadn’t been led to another just yet, then to be able to get a glimpse of your writing and to have it speaking my heart…whew! Anyway, not to hold your eyes hostage, thank you for sharing, these posts have blessed me greatly today. Keep radiating God’s Glory and exuding His Love!
I have nothing but guilt since my husband passed away in dec. of 2012. How my words were not kind and my body actions were not nice. How I brought up the past to him and let him know about things that made me unhappy. We were married 57years. I have confessed this to God several times but still live with the guilt such torment.
Thanks for this devotional today! I really needed to hear it. I heard a sermon yesterday on control (trusting God instead of trying to control everything), and I went into the bathroom and cried because all I could think over and over was the condemning phrase, “You’re such a control freak, Carol.” The sermon was beautifully delivered and wasn’t wrongfully delivered, but it just hit a raw nerve in me, and I couldn’t stop feeling bad all day! My issues with control have to do with issues of fear and trust — so I would love to read your book!
Thank you for your devotionals and posts. I love them because you’re so vulnerable and it’s a relief to know we are not alone in all our mess-ups. I have the same struggles you describe plus a bad temper and no patience. So, I always need to hear your message of hope in the Lord. Thank you again.
Love this. Thank you. God’s grace is there. Always and forever. How do I respond to it? Take it for granted? Or accept it…listen, trust and obey? I believe He wants nothing more than to have His grace change me.
I have had moments of outbursts I regretted the moment they came out of my mouth. I have also done things that I’d rather not speak of, I am so grateful for Gods forgiveness. It took me a long time to get over the guilt of my actions and anger of some things that happened to me. But by the grace of God forgiving and being forgiven is supreme. Thank you for your post today I really enjoyed it. God bless you!
I really needed to hear this today and it’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one. I often lose my patience with my family and this is an ongoing battle. There are many things causing stress in our lives right now but I know it’s wrong to take it out on them. I have a plaque hanging on my wall that says “God sees us as we can be, but loves us as we are.” It reminds me that I can overcome all things through Christ and that because of His grace my failures don’t have to hold me back. Thank you for this devotion, Renee! God bless!
Gods timing is always perfect. In my time of need these words are burned into my spirit. I struggle to accept his grace, because I constantly feel that I do not deserve it for what I have done. and He continues to remind me in my darkest hour he is still with me. I know that I was created for greatness that is why the attack is so strong. But now I have accepted his grace and will continue the good fight. I WILL FINISH THE RACE.
THANK YOU. <3