A Series on Forgiveness: There Is No Condemnation

I hear the voice of the Accuser ringing in my ears, condemning me for my behavior, but God has something else to say. He says I’m forgiven.  In Christ, there is no condemnation. Once we realize this, it’s easier to walk in our true identity as forgiven daughters of God. Thank you for joining us as we continue our discussion about forgiveness.

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Jesus.” Romans 8:1

The Accuser

I sit in the pew and long for a powerful encounter with God while rehearsing the disastrous morning I’ve had with the kids.  I gather our five kids by myself as my hubby, the pastor, arrives at church hours ago. The two boys fight while the little one struggles to get dressed. The dirty dishes line the counter while endless demands weigh on me. I’m impatient, frustrated, and need some rest. I keep my cool for a while, but when the pressure mounts, I blow it. I’m bossy when I should be kind. I’m harsh when gentleness is more effective. 

If only I could control my tongue.  Why can’t I be calm and patient?  Why did God give me this strong personality?  Why is the drive to church the longest and most frustrating of the week? I’m disgusted with my lack of self-control again. 

We each exit the van hoping something miraculous will transpire in the next hours.  As I slump in my pew, I feel the weight of the morning.  I take two minutes to focus on God and try to enter into the music part of worship, but all I hear in my head is the Accuser. 

“You call yourself a Christian?

“What is wrong with you?”

“If people only knew how awful you are!”

“Do you even love God?”

“Shouldn’t you know better by now?”

I recognize the tone, and I shrink under it as piles of condemnation and shame are heaped on my head. I entertain the thoughts for a moment, but I know better.  I know not to listen to this voice.

Instead, I listen for the voice of God in conviction.  Conviction helps me realize I need to make changes, to move towards more godly behavior.  The Holy Spirit is loving and compassionate in tone. I’m moved by God’s love to make necessary changes. 

I bow my head and quietly whisper, “I’m sorry, God, please forgive me. Thank you for the blessing of being a mom. Thank you for forgiving me when I fall short. Thank you for loving me in spite of my sin. Please help me choose gentleness and compassion as I parent.” 

Peace washes over me, and I rest in Papa’s love for me; I am not condemned.

The Accuser’s motive with condemnation is to drive a wedge between us and God.

John Piper says it like this:

Condemnation is hazy, hateful, and hopeless. First condemnation is hazy. Sometimes condemnation can initially feel specific, but often Satan brings feelings of condemnation that are vague. We can simply feel like something is wrong with me. Satan can fill us with a low-grade fever of ongoing shame that we can’t exactly pinpoint.

Second, condemnation is hateful. Satan can’t steal your salvation, but he’ll steal your joy. He will hurt you, not help you; burden you, not bless you. Condemnation is like spiritual waterboarding, where Satan tries to smother any glimpse of God’s goodness and love for you.

Third, condemnation is hopeless. It makes us think, I’m a lost cause. I’ll be changed to my sins forever and I’ll never change.  God doesn’t care about me. He has cast me off eternally.  Condemnation is always a lie for Christians. 

The Enemy is a liar and lying is his native tongue.  If the tone is harsh, critical, judgemental, and shame-inducing, you know it’s not God. The Enemy works hard to convince us we aren’t accepted by God.  If he can convince us God is mad or disappointed in us, then he’s won the battle.

But Jesus has won the victory for us. He paid the price for our sins, which gives us the freedom to be forgiven once we repent or turn from our sins.  Conviction is the sweet voice of the Holy Spirit reminding us there’s a better way. Do you recognize the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit when He asks you to turn from sin?

As we grow and learn to discern the difference between the voice of the Holy Spirit and the Enemy, we’ll be able to recognize condemnation more quickly. Friend, I need you to understand, in Christ, you are not condemned! No matter your past failures, mistakes, sins, screw-ups, or bad decisions. Jesus took it for you!

Dear Papa, Help me learn to discern the difference between the voice of God and the Enemy.  Thank you, Jesus, bore my sin on the cross, so I won’t be condemned.  Help me recognize the difference between condemnation and conviction.  Give me a tender heart to recognize the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit calling me to change.  Thank you because of Jesus, I am no longer condemned. Amen.

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