ManageYourEmotionsBook8.5x5.5_RevJULY.indd

deal with such false accusation.As Paul writes, “There is no condem- nation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). If you are struggling with such condemnation, you must first discover the source. Chances are, other people , be they family, friends, a boss, cowork- ers, church leaders, etc., are subjecting you to false guilt to serve their purpose. The Pharisees in the NewTestament are a prime example. Because they weighed the Jews down with a myriad of rule additions to the Law, the people languished in condemnation and guilt (see Matthew 11:28).This prompted Jesus to say: “Woe to you lawyers as well!You weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers” (Luke 11:46). I heard of a family in which the son was sent to youth de- tention for bad behavior. Instead of rallying behind them, their fellow church members reacted with guilt producing judgment. Sadly, they dropped out of church.This family represents a mass of people who’ve disappeared into isolation due to the guilt inflicted upon them by others. I don’t know the details of this situation but just imagine that the child blames his parents for his bad behavior – claiming love was deprived or he was mistreated in his formative years.The parents are left, not only separated from their child, but wallowing in guilt. Consider also the possibility that you are the source of your guilt. Perhaps you made mistakes in the past for which God has for- given you, those you’ve hurt have forgiven you – yet you just can’t forgive yourself. Self-inflicted guilt is quite common among people of faith – especially those of us in vocational ministry. Because of what has been termed our “overactive consciences,” we tend to be pleasers, desperately seeking the approval of others, functioning like magnets attracting the overwhelming expectations of others.When these

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