PRIOR TO THE FALL, ADAM AND EVE HAD UNBROKEN, INTIMATE

FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION WITH GOD. THEY WERE CREATED

IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD WITH THE DESIGN AND

COMPONENTS FOR KNOWING GOD AND RELATING TO HIM IN AN

INTIMATE AND PERSONAL WAY. WHEN MAN SINNED HE CAUSED A

DISTURBANCE WITHIN HIMSELF, KNOWN AS GUILT OR THE

PAINFUL KNOWLEDGE OF PERSONAL EVIL WHICH DISTURBED

EVERY PART OF HIS BEING IN RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AND HIS

ETERNAL PURPOSES IN CREATION. SO I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN

THIS MORNING BY READING THE GENESIS 3 ACCOUNT:

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast

of the field which the LORD God had made. And

he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye

shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Gen 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat

of the fruit of the trees of the garden: (KJV)

Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the

midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall

not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest

ye die. (KJV)

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall

not surely die: (KJV)

Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat

thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye

shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (KJV)

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good

for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes,

and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she

took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and

gave also unto her husband with her; and he did

eat. (KJV)

Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they

knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig

leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

ED ITSELF IN THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. IT WAS

DIRECTLY RELATED TO PARTAKING OF THE TREE OF

THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. THE MOMENT

ADAM ATE OF THE TREE HE EXPERIENCED GUILT AND

ITS MANIFESTATIONS OF FEAR OF PUNISHMENT, LOW

SELF-ESTEEM OR SHAME, CONDEMNATION AND A FEEL-

ING OF REJECTION. THIS GUILT ALSO PRODUCED

GREAT ANXIETY, DISTRESS AND DEPRESSION IN THEIR

LIVES. THE INTERESTING THING WE NEED TO SEE IS

THAT BY GOD'S PROHIBITATION OF EATING OF THAT

TREE HE NEVER INTENDED FOR MAN TO EXPERIENCE

THE MALADJUSTMENT OF GUILT AND ITS ACCOMPANING

NUREOSES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY IS TO HELP

YOU INDENTIFY GUILT IN YOUR LIFE AND OVERCOME

IT'S DEBILITATING AFFECTS. LET'S CONTINUE TO

READ IN VERSE 8:

Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God

walking in the garden in the cool of the day:

and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the

presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of

the garden. (KJV)

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said

unto him, Where art thou? (KJV)

Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden,

and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I

hid myself. (KJV)

*FEAR IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY MANIFESTATIONS OF

GUILT.*

Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast

naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I

commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Gen 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest

to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I

did eat. (KJV)

ITS FRUIT OF BLAMING AND CONDEMNING OTHERS,

WHICH IS ANOTHER TRAIT OF GUILT.

Gen 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is

this that thou hast done? And the woman said,

The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. (KJV)

Gen 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent,

Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed

above all cattle, and above every beast of the

field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust

shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the

woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it

shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise

his heel. (KJV)

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly

multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in

sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and

thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he

shall rule over thee. (KJV)

Gen 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast

hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast

eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee,

saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is

the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou

eat of it all the days of thy life; (KJV)

Gen 3:18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth

to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the

field; (KJV)

Gen 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,

till thou return unto the ground; for out of

it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and

unto dust shalt thou return. (KJV)

Gen 3:20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because

she was the mother of all living. (KJV)

Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD

God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

NING IN GENESIS. GOD HAD A SOLUTION FOR MAN'S FALL

EVEN BEFORE HE FELL. THE BIBLICAL SOLUTION FOR GUILT

IS THE REDEMPTION THAT GOD PROVIDED FOR ADAM AND EVE

TYPIFIED BY THE COATS OF SKINS THAT HE COVERED THEIR

NAKEDNESS WITH. WE READ IN HEB.9:22 THAT WITHOUT THE

SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO REMISSION OR REMOVAL OF

SIN AND IT AFFECTS UPON A PERSON'S LIFE. GOD HAS THE

ONLY REMEDY FOR SIN AND GUILT: THE BLOOD OF JESUS

CHRIST, THE WORD OF GOD AND THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY

SPIRIT.

ARE YOU HOUNDED BY NAGGING GUILT? GET RID OF IT THE

MODERN WAY, THE SAME WAY YOU ELIMINATE UNDERARM WET-

NESS, BAD BREATH OR LIMP CURLS. SPRAY IT AWAY WITH

"GUILT AWAY." THAT WAS THE IDEA OF MIKE CORNING AND

CRAIG BERSMA HAD WHEN THEY FORMED A NEW COMPANY,

CORN-BERG LABORTORIES AND SELL 8 OZ. BOTTLES OF ROSE

WATER. YOU JUST SPRAY IT ON AND YOUR GUILT WILL GO

AWAY. GUILT AWAY'S INVENTION REVEALS HOW COMMON GUILT

FEELINGS ARE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

GUILT OR USE IT TO MOTIVATE OTHERS. WE SAY THINGS

LIKE THIS:

1. WE TELL OUR SPOUSES: YOU NEVER SPEND ANY TIME WITH

THE FAMILY.

2. WE QUESTION OUR FRIENDS: YOU'RE NOT LEAVING ALREADY,

ARE YOU? YOU JUST GOT HERE!

3. OR WE TELL THE WAITER: WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T

HAVE ANY MORE OF YOU SPECIAL SOUP, WE DROV ALL THE WAY

ACROSS TOWN TO TRY IT.

1. YOU'RE NOT GOING OUT LOOKING LIKE THAT, EVERYBODY

WILL LAUGH AT YOU!

2. NOW I'VE TOLD YOU A THOUSAND TIMES, WHEN ARE YOU

EVER GONNA GET IT.

3. OR WE SAY SOMETHING LIKE: AND AFTER ALL WE'VE DONE

FOR YOU...

4. AND OUR CHILDREN RETURN THE GUILT: WELL, EVERYBODY

ELSE GETS TO STAY OUT LATE, YOU NEVER LET US DO ANY-

THING! ALL THESE STATEMENTS COMMUNICATE THE COMMONALITY

OF GUILT IN OUR EVERY DAY LIVES. YOU SHOULD FEEL BADLY

OR GUILTY FOR NOT DOING IT MY WAY.

INFERIORITY. BRUCE NARRAMORE DEFINES GUILT AS A

COMPLEX COGNITIVE EMOTIONAL REACTION WE EXPERIENCE OVER

THE DISPARITY BETWEEN WHO WE ARE ( OR HOW WE ACT) AND

WHO WE THINNK WE OUGHT TO BE. THIS REACTION MAY

INVOLVE SELF-PUNISHMENT, SELF-REJECTION AND A SENSE OF

SHAME, DISESTEEM OR INFERIORIRTY.

MY MIND HAS A TENDENCY TO KICK ITSELF SEVERAL TIMES

THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF SELF-INFLICTED PUNISHMENT IS

SEEN IN JUDAS AFTER HIS ACT OF BETRAYL IN:

Matt 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when

he saw that he was condemned, repented

himself, and brought again the thirty

pieces of silver to the chief priests

and elders, (KJV)

Matt 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have

betrayed the innocent blood. And they

said, What is that to us? see thou to

that. (KJV)

Matt 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in

the temple, and departed, and went and

hanged himself. (KJV)

I FEEL LIKE A DIRTY PERSON INSIDE.

I HAVE TO BE THE STUPIDEST PERSON AROUND.

I FEEL ROTTEN INSIDE EVEN WORTHLESS.

I FEEL THAT NOBODY COULD LIKE ME, ESPECIALLY GOD!

I FEEL DEPRESSED AND DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS.

MECHANISM. I WANT TO LOOK AT THESE BRIEFLY THIS

MORNING WITHOUT GOING INTO ANY GREAT DETAIL. SEE IF

YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SELF-EXPRESSED DEFENSE MECHAN-

ISM FOR GUILT IN YOUR LIFE.

FEELINGS OF GUILT, SINS, UNACCEPTABLE WISHES AND

DESIRES, AND ATTRIBUTE THEM INSTEAD TO OTHERS.

REMOVE IT FROM OUR CONSCIOUS MEMORY. ONE OF THE MAJOR

WAYS OF UTILIZING REPRESSION IS BY YIELDING TO A

RELIGIOUS SPIRIT OF LEGALISM. TO FORGET THE PAST WE

FOCUS ON EXTERNAL ACTIONS, WORK AND EFFORT. THE DANGER

WITH REPRESSION IS THAT STRONG FEELINGS THAT HAVE BEEN

PUSHED FROM AWARENESS CAN BREAK THROUGH UNDER PRESSURE

AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES.

HANDLING GUILT. THESE PEOPLE ARE DRIVEN TO BE SUCCESS-

FUL IN WHATEVER THEY DO WITH LITTLE ENJOYMENT OR HAP-

PINESS ONCE THEIR ACHIEVENT HAS BEEN OBTAINED. FEEL-

ING VERY RESPONSIBLE, THEY CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES AND

ARE SELDOM ABLE TO RELAX. THESE PEOPLE LIVE UNDER THE

"TYRANNY OF THE SHOULD" AND IS ALSO SEEN IN THE WORK-

AHOLIC AND THE PERFECTIONIST.

CONVERSATION WITH OURSELVES.

OFCOURSE I DID. I ALWAYS LOCK IT.

BUT MAYBE I DIDN'T THIS TIME.

PERHAPS I'M GUILTY OF FORGETTING.

BUT I ALWAYS LOCK IT.

YES, A SILENT VOICE REPLIES, BUT I'M GONNA KEEP

BUGGING YOU UNTIL YOU GO BACK AND CHECK IT.

RIGHT THING. WE ARE ALSO THREATENING PAINFUL CONSEQ-

UENCES FOR DISOBEDIENCE: SOMEONE MIGHT ENTER THE DOOR

AND ROB US. NOW A LITTLE OF THIS DOUBTING IS NORMAL

BUT FOR SOME PEOPLE IT IS A WAY OF LIFE AND CAN BE

ATTRIBUTED TO GUILT. EVEN AS CHRISTIANS, OBSESSIVE

PEOPLE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO FELL FORGIVEN FOR THEIR

SINS. SINCE OBSESSIVE PEOPLE ARE RARELY ABLE TO

FEEL SATISFIED WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE, EVEN AFTER

CONFESSING THEIR SINS THEY WONDER IF THEY WERE

REALLY SINCERE IN THEIR REPENTANCE.

IN SUBLIMATION WE WORK OUT SOME SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE

AND POTENTIALLY GUILT-PRODUCING IMPULSES OR FEELINGS

IN A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE WAY. ANGER IS ONE OF

THE CLASSIC WAYS THIS IS MANIFESTED. WE ARE REALLY

ANGRY WITH OURSELVES BECAUSE OF OUR PAST AND WE ACT IT

OUT IN A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE WAY BY OUR INTENSITY

AGAINST ABORTION, EQUAL RIGHTS, OR PORNOGRAPHY ETC.

IN SUBLIMATION THE GUILT AND ITS ACCOMPANY ANGER IS

RELEASED IN A SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE WAY. THE PROBLEM HAS

NOT BEEN DEALT WITH AND WILL EVENTUALLY SURFACE IN AN

UNACCEPTABLE WAY.

OR WE SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. WE MUST APPROPRIATE THE

BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST FOR PERSONAL SIN IN OUR LIFE, WE

APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR UNRENEWED MIND AND

CONSCIENCE AND WE LISTEN TO AND OBEY THE WITNESS OF THE

HOLY SPIRIT.

1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in

heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy

Ghost: and these three are one. (KJV)

1 John 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in

earth, the spirit, and the water, and the

blood: and these three agree in one. (KJV)

RECORD: Strong's # 3140 martureo (mar-too-reh'-o);

from 3144; to be witness, i.e. testify

(literally or figuratively):

KJV-- charge, give [evidence], bear

record, have (obtain, of) good (honest)

report, be well reported of, testify,

give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give,

obtain) witness. (DIC)

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of

bondage again to fear; but ye have received

the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry,

Abba, Father. (KJV)

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our

spirit, that we are the children of God:

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God,

and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that

we suffer with him, that we may be also

glorified together. (KJV)

BELIEVER'S LIFE. THE WAY YOU THINK AND FEEL ABOUT

YOURSELF CAN GREATLY HINDER YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE

LORD AND WHAT HE WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR LIFE,

CALLING AND DESTINY. MANY TIMES GOD OPENS A DOOR OF

OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WITNESS, LAY HANDS ON THE SICK,

FUNCTION IN ONE OR MORE OF THE NINE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

OR TO ACCEPT AN OFFICE OR POSITION AND WE REJECT IT

BECAUSE OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM. A KNOWLEDGE OF OUR SHORT

COMINGS, LIMITATIONS AND SINFULLNESS DISQUALIFIES US,

IN OUR MINDS, FROM ACCEPTING THE CALL OF GOD UPON OUR

LIVES. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO US AND TO THE ADVANCEMENT

OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD THAT WE OVERCOME GUILT AND ITS

MANIFESTATIONS IN OUR LIVES.

1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal

priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar

people; that ye should shew forth the praises

of him who hath called you out of darkness

into his marvellous light: (KJV)

Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the

LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of

our God: ye shall eat the riches of the

Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast

yourselves. (KJV)

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice

indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall

be a peculiar treasure unto me above all

people: for all the earth is mine: (KJV)

Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of

priests, and an holy nation. These are the

words which thou shalt speak unto the

children of Israel. (KJV)

PRESENCE OF GOD AS A PRIEST AND KING. THE DOCTRINE OF

SONSHIP AND THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER AIDS THE

BELIEVER IN OVERCOMING FEELINGS OF GUILT AND LOW SELF-

ESTEEM. YOU ARE NOT A "NOBODY" IN GOD'S EYES, YOU ARE

SPECIAL TO HIM, CALLED BY HIS (FAMILY) NAME, A CHILD OF

GOD AND A PRIEST UNTO THE LORD. NOW PRIESTS IN THE

O.C. WORE SPECIAL GARMENTS THAT SEPARATED THEM FROM THE

COMMON AND MADE THEM HOLY UNTO THE LORD. EX.28 TELLS

US WHAT THESE GARMENT WERE FOR:

Ex 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and

his sons with him, from among the children of

Israel, that he may minister unto me in the

priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu,

Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. (KJV)

Ex 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy

brother for glory and for beauty. (KJV)

DIGNITY: THE QUALITY OF BEING WORTHY OF ESTEEM OR

HONOR, HAVING A SENSE OF WORTHINESS, A

HIGH POSITION, RANK OR TITLE, LOFTINESS

OF APPEARANCE OR MANNER, STATELINESS AND

THEN SELF-RESPECT.

HONOR: HIGH REGARD OR GREAT RESPECT GIVEN, RECEIVED

OR ENJOYED; 2. A KEEN SENSE OF RIGHT AND WRONG

ADHERENCE TO ACTION OR PRINCIPLES CONSIDERED

RIGHT OR WRONG; INTEGRITY, TO CONDUCT ONESELF

WITH HONOR--TO HAVE A GOOD REPUTATION AND AGAIN

A HIGH RANK OR POSITION OR A TITLE OF RESPECT

GIVEN TO CERTIAN OFFICIALS.

HERMENUTICAL FILTER, THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST, THESE

GARMENTS SPEAK TO US ABOUT THE ATONEMENT PROVIDED IN

THE N.C. AND THE DEVELOPEMENT OF CHARACTER IN A BELIEVER'S

LIFE.

LET'S LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER AT EACH OF THESE FOUR FEELINGS, THE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT, THE FEELING OF CONDEMNATION, THE FEELING OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM AND THE FEELINGS OF REJECTION. UNLESS WE FIND AN ANSWER TO THESE FEELINGS WE WILL BE WIDE OPEN AND SUBJECT TO ITS CONFORM- ING PRESSURES IN OUR LIVES AND ON OUR PERSONALITIES.

A. THE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT CAN DEVELOPE THE CHARACTER

TRAITS OF ANXIETY, NERVOUSNESS; YOU CAN BECOME A

"WORRY WORT."

B. THE FEAR OF GOD'S WRATH CAN PRODUCE THE

DISPOSITION OF DOUBT, FEAR AND UNBELIEF IN THE

GOODNESS OF GOD.

C. THE FEAR OF PUNISHMENT PRODUCES THE CHARACTER OF

PESSIMISM AND NEGATIVISM IN A PERSON'S LIFE. YOU

OUTLOOK ON LIFE IS DISMAL--YOUR ALWAYS ANTICIPATING

SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU. THERE IS

NO SENSE OF HOPE AND FAITH IN GOD OR FOR THE FUTURE.

D. WHEN SOME FORM OF TROUBLE COMES AND IS WRONGLY

PERCEIVED AS PUNISHMENT A PERSON CAN BECOME

BITTER, ANGY, HATEFUL UNFORGIVING AND RETRIBUTIVE

TOWARDS OTHERS.

A. THE FEELINGS OF CONDEMNATION CAN DEVELOPE AN

ATTITUDE AND DIPOSITION OF CRITICISM, AND

JUDGEMENTALISM IN A PERSON'S LIFE.

B. THESE FEELINGS OF CONDEMNATION CAN PRODUCE A

SENSE OF INADEQUACY: "I CAN NEVER DO ANYTHING RIGHT"

"EVERYTHING I TRY TO DO FAILS BECAUSE I'M NO GOOD"

THIS CAN PRODUCE FEELINGS OF FRUSTRATION RESULTING

IN APATHY, INDIFFERENCE, COMPLACENCY, LAZINESS AND

PROCRASTINATION.

C. THE FEELINGS OF CONDEMNATION CAN PRODUCE A FALSE

SENSE OF PRIDE AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS AS A

COVERING FOR GUILT.

A. FEELINGS OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM CAN PRODUCE THE

CHARACTER OF INFERIORITY IN A PERSONS LIFE.

B. FEELINGS OF DISESTEEM PRODUCE FEELINGS OF SHAME

WHETHER IT IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF MISCONDUCT OR

IMPOSED ON BY OTHERS BECAUSE OF COLOR, RACE, SIZE

OR OUTWARD APPEARANCE.

C. A FEELING OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM CAN MAKE A PERSON FEEL

IN COMPETENT AND THEY MAY APPEAR TO BE LAZY,

INDIFFERENT OR COMPLACENT BUT THEY ARE REALLY IN

BONDAGE TO THE FEAR OF FAILURE THE FEAR OF MAN AND

THE FEAR OF RIDICULE.

D. LOW SELF-ESTEEM CAN PRODUCE A FALSE SENSE OF

HUMILITY AND BROKENESS IN A PERSON'S LIFE.

E. A PERSON THAT IS ALWAYS APOLOGETIC, INSECURE OR

INDICISIVE STRUGGLES WITH SELF-ESTEEM.

A. FEELINGS OF REJECTION IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR

DEPRESSION IN PEOPLE'S LIVES. GOD CREATED ALL OF US

WITH THE NEED TO BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED AND THE

ABSENCE OF THIS CAN PRODUCE CHRONIC DEPRESSION.

"NOBODY LIKES ME" NOBODY WANT'S TO BE AROUND ME"

B. FEELINGS OF REJECTION CAN MAKE PEOPLE APPEAR TO BE

COLD, UNFRIENDLY AND EVEN RUDE TOWRDS OTHERS.

C. FEELING OF REJECTION CAN PRODUCE AN ELEMENT OF

SELFISHNESS AND SELF-CENTEREDNESS IN PEOPLE. A

PERSON WHO IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THEMSELVES OR

MAKING REFERENCE TO THEIR ACCOMPLISHMNETS IS

PROBABLY A PERSON THAT IS FEELING REJECTED AND

UNWANTED.

D. A PERSON THAT IS ALWAYS TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYBODY

OR SERVE EVERYBODY THEY ARE AROUND CAN BE TRYING

TO EARN THE RIGHT TO BE ACCEPTED OR RECOGNIZED. IT

CAN PRODUCE A FALSE SENSE OF HUMILITY.