Stepping Stones: Guilt Trip To Nowhere

Transformational Thought

I often hear many mothers really use guilt to “motivate” their children. “If you love me, you would do your chores.” “I worked long and hard on this meal, so you better eat it.” Or others might say, “we’ll have to cancel the event…unless you help us.” “Look at these starving kids in Africa and all the food you throw away. Please send money.”

Guilt is an incredible motivator, but that’s not really the correct role and use of guilt. I am all for pointing out injustices and needs and then allowing people to step into their role to help these situations. The issue I am trying to separate from these examples is this, we shouldn’t try to use guilt as a tool to motivate people.

Several subliminal distorted messages can unwontedly occur when people are guilted into action. 1. I am responsible for and therefore can control someone else’s feelings, 2. The other person won’t feel better unless I act the way they want, 3. When you want to get someone to do something for you, it is OK to lay a guilt trip on them, and probably the worst distorted message, 4. Decisions should be based on self-needs and emotions, not facts and reasoning. Unfortunately, these messages subtly seep into many people’s everyday functioning.

Many pastors and priests try to whip their congregations into Christian action by delivering guilt inducing sermons. They try to get their people to “work harder”, but the end does not justify the means. I have personally experienced these guilt-evoking messages…they can unfortunately undermine the very foundation of grace in a believer’s heart.

Today, take notice if you are feeling guilty about something, or if you are inducing guilt in someone else. Stop and examine why. Examine the relationship that the guilt is part of. Let the guilt warn you a problem exists, but don’t let it be your decision-maker. Let reason and the Bible direct your heart and actions. Confess, repent, apologize, and ask forgiveness. You are responsible for your feelings and happiness; the other person is responsible for their own. Above all else, be mindful that God does not measure and judge you by the amount of good works you do; rather He looks into your heart.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I do not want to be stressed out about not “doing enough” to be a good Christian. I know that You want me to relax in the assurance of Your perfect love. Help me today remember that You delight in me more than I can ever imagine and that You see me cloaked in Your light and presence…and that there is no condemnation for those cloaked in You. Help me, Lord, to each day come closer to having the Mind of Christ. Help me make decisions based on Your word, not my feelings. Help me feel convicted and guilty about my wrongs, but then look to You for forgiveness and your word for guidance in doing right. I pray in the name of the One who knew no guilt till He bore all mine, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest.
Isaiah 61:10

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Romans 8:1-2