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 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!