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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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
I pray whomever receives this book will be blessed beyond measure. Thank you for your ministry and allowing the broken to find acceptance and wholeness.
I am my harshest critic. I aim for perfection. I rely on myself and I struggle with guilt. I am not living a grace filled life and I need Jesus. He is not my accuser. He lowers himself before me. Thank you Jesus! Please heal my heart ❤️
I was lead to your site this morning after reading the Proverbs 31 daily devotion written by you. Wow! God knew exactly what I needed this morning. I need God’s unfailing grace to get me through. Please pray for my current situations. I’m so thankful for our Lord’s mercy and grace.
Remember, refuse, replace. A much better “3 R’s” to use as an adult. Thank you.
Guilt is my second name. I’ve been feeling guilty most of my life. And although Jesus has healed me a lot, I guess I still have a long way ahead. Thank you for your words. God bless you.
This was my first time reading your blog and I enjoyed it.
I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for being so open and honest in your reaction. It made me laugh out loud and as I did so, years of doubt and shame evaporated! For decades I have been bound, unable and unwilling to seek God’s purpose for my life due to comparing myself to the Godly women He brought into my life causing me to slink away in shame because of my sins and failures as a wife and mother. Though I believe in His unconditional love, I reasoned that the consequence of my sin was to never be good enough for Him to use. For some reason, today is the day the truth has finally penetrated and freed me! Again, thank you for leaping from the Wonder Woman pedestal on to the real world with me.
It is difficult to replace the negative tapes that run in my head with positive statements. Satan knows he can get to me through guilt. I appreciated everything you said about how God will never give up on us and his grace and mercy are there for us. Thank you for these encouraging words.
This example in the bible always hurts to hear and read. I know Jesus forgives the adulterous woman, but where is the scripture for the woman’s family that she turned away from? Who has ever thought about the pain and devastation her acts caused? My husband of 16 years, the father of our 11 yr old daughter, was caught in adultery. After several lies and more weeks of lies, he finally admitted to 2 more affairs over the coarse of the previous year. We didn’t have a perfect Christian marriage, he walked away from his faith and every responsibility he had, other than his employment, and I had to figure out why he was so depressed and drinking all the time. I had to be the financial and faith filled leader of our family, bill payer, house cleaner, homework helper, all while working 6-7 days per week, 10 hour days. I was burnt out but had to keep going as he was no help. He has since repented and turned back to God, which is awesome and the best choice he’s made. But the pain and resentment that my daughter and I bear is overwhelming. She knows way too much about what he’s done. His confession was made outside of her bedroom and she was witness to his dramatic displays of emotion until he finally agreed to leave our house. My daughter went from a normal happy go lucky sweet innocent child, to a child full of rage and anger and revenge. She grew an obsession of knives and started hurting herself. We are all in counseling, we attend church and have bible studies with our church mentors, but the pain remains. While it is beautiful, the story of the forgiven adulterous sinner, there is another story not found in the bible about the families broken by this woman and her partners actions.
Constant doubting is a sin I have. I pray for Jesus’ perfect love and grace to cover my doubts with His mercy! Thank you!
P.S. You have a typo in this paragraph:
Step 1: Remember
Remember sin is not who you are; sin is what you do.
Although He knew she had sinned, Jesus made sure this woan knew her sin was not who she was. It was what she had done. Her sin didn’t get the final say. Jesus did.