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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The devil has been trying hard to bring up past sins and weaknesses; thank you for the reminder of the grace of our Lord & Saviour! I can stand firm on those truths. Thank you for serving our Lord as a teacher!
Thank you! God used you to set my focus back on Him. I praise Him and thank Him for you!
When reading this devotion today, I felt a sense of relief because I do mess up all the time. I go to worship services on Sunday’s and I feel God’s presence and receive his forgiveness for any failures that I confess to him. I feel like I finally have a grip on this. Then I go home to my not so great marriage with my alcoholic husband and within a matter of minutes I’m back in my usual state of turmoil. I try to keep quite but the devil just keeps pushing negatives at me until I fall apart. Your devotion today shows me that I’m not alone and I will continue to pray for my husband as well as my attitude and wait on the Lord for his healing power in my life. The visual that you offered that suggests seeing Jesus kneel in front of me to write in the sand that I am his and forgiven was wonderful. Thank you for your devotions…they help me on a regular basis.
I would love to work through the guilt of my past and present. I have packed The Confident Heart book for my vacation to the beach next week. I am looking forward to taking my time and reading and absorbing the message.
I pray my husband to be convicted of God’s love.
Perfect timing for the perfect words for my daughter (and of course me). I’m always looking for ways to share the love of the Lord with adult daughters who don’t want to hear it from their mother. When a good book comes along that is perfect in content as well as length….one that I know they will read and glean insight, I purchase it and pass it on…..thank you for your words of encouragement.
My heavens….just this past week I have been doing the “humanly thing!” I have been “trying” to control everything going on with me, at me, and even assuming some thoughts that I don’t even know yet. I have been trying to control..my emotions, feelings, technicalities of relationship course 101, and even assuming some responses that have not even been spoken to me yet….I think I may have a case of Joyce Doubt Control” and “Joyce’s Protection before Anyone Strikes Me. In other words… I am trying to “control” everything plus some of others. Do you know hoe exhausted I have become each day and night?
God has been trying to ask me…”Slow down. with Grace, Gratitude, and Love for Joyce!”
Renee, the idea God and you- writing His thought…has awakened me.
God loves me, God cares about me, and God wants me to “cool” and let go of my Guilt…( is that why I am trying to “control” everyone and everything)
Ah, it may be so…thanks Renee
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of God’s living grace for us, for me. Far too often in my life I have allowed the guilt to speak louder than God’s grace. And for quite some time I have been focusing on the guilt instead of His wonderful grace. Thank you for helping me to put my focus where it needs to be this morning. I pray I can keep it therè today.
What a beautiful reminder! It is so easy to let sin define who you. Guilt is a huge weapon of the evil one. We are defined by God’s grace.
I have been struggling to find my way – this devotion is and will continue to help me find Grace when I need it most and remember that I never deserve it – I’ve always been confident but I haven’t been for some time now and I feel so lost in guilt
Wow – did I ever need this today! I was recently diagnosed as bipolar – which explains a lot of how I have been acting. But I know I have hurt others with my words and actions – I love the image of Jesus kneeling down and looking into my eyes and telling me that I’m forgiven and that it will be ok! Thank you for posting this today!
“Sin is not who we are but what we do!” I love the truth of this and am reminded of Paul’s words in Rom 7:15 but what I hate, that do I. Oh my…it pains me when gossip, hurtful words, etc come from my lips but..God is teaching me to repent quickly – ‘there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus’ Rom 8:1. So thankful that He is lovingkindness! Would love a copy of the book!
As I read your devotional today, I wept. I have been discouraged to the point of tears, as I’ve witnessed the rebellion in my 5 year old son, and realised the ways I have dissapointed my husband. The very words running through my head have been “I am not cut out for this. I have failed as a wife and mother. Why am I even here.” Thank you for your honesty, and for sharing the truth about guilt, and the hope of forgiveness and restoration through the grace of God. The Lord knew I needed this encouragement today. Thank you!
So needed to read this just now. Up at 2:30am. Divine appointment.
Renee, Thank you so much for your encouragement thru God’s word. It is very early am and am unable to sleep, feeling totally helpless as my husband is out of work. We are retired and learning to live 24/7 with each other, not real pretty given our financial state and learning to live also on a very tight budget. I have a lot of physical issues to deal with as well. I long to live a rich joyous life day to day giving all the glory to the Lord. I guess I need purpose in living each day for Him! I am also very involved in caring for my elderly father who really just wants to go HOME! I pray this for him daily while trying to encourage him that God’s timing is perfect in all things! I would LOVE to have this devotional in written form to help keep me focused on HIM & to be “thinking on things above”. Thank you again!!
Allowing God to be the One in the position of authority in our lives and choosing to listen to His words of truth is so powerful. God is Truth, and everything He says and does is true. This gives us a firm foundation upon which to stand when other voices try to persuade us otherwise. Don’t allow satan to rob us of all that God has for us, and see Jesus, our Servant King, writing in the sand of our transgressions His words of truth and by doing so cancelling our sin.
Amazing grace!
Amazing Grace…how sweet the sound to me…
Thanks Renee for this heartfelt blog today.
I need help overcoming doubt and worry. It feels like the enemy is on full fledge attack and I can’t see the light
This post spoke to heart! There is so much reflecting that I must do. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this Renee, it was exactly what I needed t hear today.
I remember one weekend where I really felt like I blew it, not just with my husband and kids but God. I forced myself to go to church knowing sitting at home in my self pity would not fix the situation, and I’d problem fight with my husband more if I stayed. As the worship began, I kept saying to myself “How dare u come and praise Jesus after what u did and said” it was like I didn’t deserve to praise him, then my pastor said “we have to praise God no matter what, no matter how you feel you have to praise God because he deserves the praise.” I then realized God didn’t deserve my praise only when I’m acting like a Christian and I FEEL good , he deserves it all the time no matter the good bad or really ugly. Because in all of my circumstances he is still God. I can’t rely on feelings to praise the one true God who always deserves my praise. So I know now no matter how I feel, I will still praise him.
Needed this reminder today. I struggle with dreaming about past guilds which makes them linger far longer than they should. I’ve begun apologizing to people no matter how long ago the hurt was, it helps me let it go.
Everyday we face challenges of a Satan influenced world. It becomes difficult to sometimes remember that we aren’t here to judge othets, but to love one another. None of us are perfect. Sin is sin. We all need to learn to drop the stones we carry and leave those sins at the cross. Loads become lighter, and our duties to one another become easier.
I struggle with being good enough. Tryong my best doesn’t always pay the bills or get me fur the in life. It doesn’t always seem enough. I need to remember I AM good enough.
Struggling with replacing guilt with godly repentance and obedience.
This is something that I need to print out and look at every day. So many times I find other’s criticism of what I say or do make me wonder if they are right. Am I good enough? But then, I simply tell the devil to leave because he is not welcome in my life. I constantly remind myself that I am a child of God and only his opinion of me is what is important.
Wonderfully expressed, Renee*
I have lived in a guilt space quiet often in my life and I am experiencing God’s grace and sweet family- finally aligning Gods love for me as free not conditions.
Guilt is a terrible burden. I try to figure how to fix things but I can’t. However, I have figured out when I give ALL to Jesus, the burden is not so heavy. Finally I glimpse the sweet peace of surrender. Rejoice in The Lord always and again I say rejoice
What an inspiring read today. I struggle so much with “am I good enough” and “I can’t do anything right” I read this today and so needed to hear your words. God does love me and will do anything for me no matter what I do or don’t do. I must keep telling myself these words. Thank you for sharing your words with me and others today.
There are so many things going wrong with my family. I cannot share with anyone but it has given me hope. I know there is a God and he will answer prayers but in his time. Thank God for everyone you have done for me. I need to grow again in God and I believe this is a way to start.
If I could name myself, my first name would be Shame. I’m sitting on the couch tonight beating myself up inside for blowing it at work today with my boss. I mean call me Pride and make me a t-shirt 🙁 That’s just today. Let’s not talk about the past 14 years of my life. Guilt, shame & insecurity have always been my sidekicks. I’m praying God helps me accept His love. I love Him so much, and I’m humbled by His love for me. He’s working, so evidently. If I wasn’t worth it, Lord Jesus You wouldn’t have died for me. Help me believe in You, and let go of me. For in You, there is freedom.You knew me, and every second of my everyday before you created me. You chose ME. Help me believe You, and accept Your love, so I can learn to love, as You love me. We need you Lord. You, are the most good. Thank you for loving us. Jesus Christ, in Your Holy, amazing name I pray, Amen.
On the way home from work today, I finally admitted out loud to myself and God how utterly broken I am. I started listing all my failures aloud – my messy room, my obese body, my lack of relationships, my sexual impurity, wasting time at work, even my doubts about my faith in Christ. I asked God for healing and admitted that I was truly broken before Him. Yesterday, He reminded me that I am an heir with Christ and that I am unable to say that Jesus is Lord without the power of the Holy Spirit. This season of life has been the most difficult spiritually in all my 26 years. God has brought me to the place where I must be completely dependent on Him. My only alternative at this point is insanity and complete emptiness and hopelessness. When I saw the title of the post “No More Guilt-Induced Doubt,” hope sprang up from my heart. As I read, I knew that God had answered prayer through directing me to read that post tonight. I was then directed to this blog. As I read through the steps of walking in grace-infused confidence, I stopped mid-sentence to thank God for answering prayer. My goal is going to be to read through these devos this week whenever Satan and my flesh condemn me. God loves me as His child. With confidence I now draw near.
Reading this helped me to remember that others go through this too. Too often i am frustrated with myself, because i can’t seem to shut my mouth when i need to. Or don’t comunicate words in the way that i need to, like i can’t say what i want and need to. I am often misunderstood, and i know that people often can’t stand me because of my strong personality. So then the thoughts creep in telling me i am no good, that i will never excel socially. (Something i struggled with my whole life.) I fight constantly, to remind myself that God loves and forgives me. Your devotional was exactly what i needed. God knew i needed this. I was reading another devotional you wrote on Bible Gateway, and it led me to this page. Thank you for your absolute transparency, and your courage to write the words of God. I really could use more words from you, as you write what God teaches you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“God takes what feels like our destruction and uses it for our reconstruction through our dependence on Him”. This statement really hit home for me. God brings us to a place where we are totally dependent on Him and uses it for our healing and to walk in His humility. Instead of being bogged down by guilt or wondering what to do next, confessing my sin, receiving God’s forgiveness and replacing condemnation with Godly thoughts is what liberates me! Thank you for these words of truth and wisdom!
Being able to approach the throne of grace is the most amazing “prescription” the Almighty Healer can give us for this “heart condition”…that is, having a guilty heart. I struggle with guilt regularly….guilt for not spending enough time in the Word, guilt for not spending enough time with my husband or children, guilt for owing too much money (we have a lot of medical debt), and guilt for bitterness over my current situation. Thank you for reminding me about how much the Father loves me and truly wants me to come to His throne for grace and forgiveness. I can shed the guilt and have a fresh start daily. Praise be to God!
I’m not sure how this works or if you will even get this message but I am praying that you do… but all I know is that last night I was reading stuff on her as I just signed up for this ministry earlier in the day… but I have been feeling so lost lately and worrying and having very much self doubt… I feel like my whole life I have been pushed down by the very people who were suppose to love me and lift me up… guide me and encourage me… and ever since I left the Boys Ranch… the only home I truly new and felt safe and scure at… since I graduated in 2002… I have stuggled with self doubt I live in fear and worry that I’m going to fail or won’t be able to do anything… I don’t feel worthless as a person and as a mother and wife… I don’t feel like I’m good enough for anybody or worth loving because I have felt rejected and been abused my whole life… to the point I have let my ex husband destroy me and got so depressed and felt so alone on this world but I knew I had Jesus and god and wasn’t alone but it has been a daily struggle in my life to pick my self back up and come out of this deep depression… I have gotten remarried now and my husband is absolutely wonderful but a man of few words and doesn’t really know what to say or to help me or reassure me he’s not going anywhere… but I have realized because of my past that I am the one who feels worthless inside and undservering of his love… I feel worthless and like he’s to good for me and I don’t deserve him that he deserves someone who isn’t broken who feels they are loved and that doesn’t need constant reassurances he’s going to walk out on her like I do because it has happened my whole life… but I was praying and crying last night to my father in heaven to help me overcome all this feelings and when I woke up this am I felt he said check your email for the message today from provribes 31 ministers and so I finally did and this is the message I get and I felt he differently herd and answered my prayers so thankyou very much for sharing this message I really needed to hear it right now in my life!!! God is Wonderful!!!
It’s so wonderful that we can go to the Throne of Grace whenever we’ve ‘blown it’ or just have guilt about a situation. God wants us to go to Him in times of difficulty. We can see He is sovereign and can turn our sorrows into joy and our guilt into gladness as we trust Him to work in every area of our lives. I am assured that He will continue to work within us for transformation into His glory to represent Him in all we do and say. God’s grace-infused confidence can be ours as we focus on His heart’s desire and look away unto Jesus. I’m learning to submit to Him in all things and find grace and confidence in Him.
God grace overpowers our imperfections!
Oh how the truths here resonate in my heart. As a pastor’s wife of 38+ years, many times I’ve thought “I can’t do that!…if they knew how I act sometimes..or could read my thoughts” Thank God for His never-ending forgiveness and grace!! And thank you, Renee for being faithful to Him in your calling of writing and speaking His love and truth with us.
I have struggled with doubt for years, God is working on this issue.
Thank you for sharing this, I have been dreaming of starting a couple of new things, which could make some big changes in my life. I am looking to go back to school next fall. I have waited to do this for over 30 years because I doubted that I was good enough to do it. I am learning with my mom’s cancer to not put things off because we don’t know what the future will hold for us. God is also teaching me that he does care about me, which I have struggled with in the past.
Your message came to me at my own time of need. After discovering (well, I knew, but I didn’t want to know) that my husband has an addiction to sexual pornography, and calling to see if my church has a group that meets to help women like myself (they meet tonight, actually!), I read your message…I have had so much guilt, its my fault, if I was prettier, if I was sexier, if I gave him more attention, etc…
Now, I am going to let God’s grace replace MY guilt. I am going to allow HIM to walk me out of the darkness and into the light, to help me to living in the freedom and security of His unending love. When I do that, God will take control and I will relinquish it, and I will be free to live in the glory of my Father with a renewed mind and spirit.
Thank you for walking with Christ and sharing your journey with us. It means more than you may realize sometimes…..
In Christ,
Deb
Guilt and fear are ferocious!! They are sins that will take you down and keep you down. These last few weeks have been and eye opener about guilt and fear and your devotion has also confirmed my thoughts. Praise God that He is forgiving, loving, and still wants a relationship with me!!!
“When you fall into the trap of your accuser, 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.”—Yes, this is what I need to do! Sometimes, though, it seems as if I am my harshest accuser.
This post was exactly what I needed today. I have blown it big time in my past. I know that God has already forgiven me, because I confessed to Him and He has already forgotten my sin. The world is not so merciful at forgiving or forgetting. There are many days that I have not forgiven myself. This post is a great reminder that at the end of the day it’s just me and Jesus and my accusers have nothing on me. Thank God for his grace and mercy and forgiveness bought by the precious blood of Jesus!
So often i live under guilt and condemnation, rehashing what I should or could have or would have done differently. And then I go into the fight or flight stance to protect myself…but rather I need to rest in God’s love and forgiveness for me!
I just came back from a Children’s Ministry Retreat Training..and God restored my passion he started 31 years ago. Which has set me on fire, but today as I started to share some of my excitement and a loved one was very negative to me, and felt I couldn’t do. I can’t do this anymore. But I know that Through God I can..
Thank you for shining your light into the darkness of my life!
Thank you for your testimony. I struggle to forgive myself for many things. I know that God forgives me, so why do I still carry the ‘not good enough’ sign around with me??
So so needed to hear this today! I place so much guilt on myself for sinning and sometimes feel as though I’m not worthy to call myself a “follower” of Jesus. This message taught me to let God’s grace cover my shame and guilt. That I’m free of sin as long as I confess and ask for forgiveness. Thank you!