Pastor Carla continues the series ‘What are we Carrying’ by speaking specifically about shame and guilt. She explains how guilt is the opposite of innocence; how it lets people down. Guilt triggers a response in us, it reflects upon something which is not right with God. It should cause us to repent and change and change our lives, maybe trigger a prayer...

Guilt not dealt with can turn to shame...a painful feeling certainly not of God. God doesn't want this for us...it makes us feel not worthy. Shame also affects how we see ourselves and others. As we carry huge bags filled with the rubbish of our lives, our view of God (and others) is obscured. We cannot see anything clearly because of the baggage we refuse to put down..(often!)…

But, God paid the price through Jesus to free us of such rubbish. However, sometimes we do choose to pick it all back up again. The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis (Genesis 3:7) shows how they were ‘ashamed’ of their nakedness. Their guilt had turned to shame. Jesus enables us to become re-joined to God and our guilt and shame dealt with, we are born again and free.

Ps Carla provides many scripture references illustrating how we are now able to walk boldly, how everything has been dealt with and how we need to be people able to bounce back and allow God to use all of our situations. 1 John 1:8-9 tells us to freely admit our sins. Hebrews 10:22 (NIV) says “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water“. We do not need to carry guilt or shame, we are free indeed.