Guilt: Psychological and Theological guilt

 Today's blog is about guilt and the difference between "Psychological and Theological guilt."

Guilt: Definition

The dictionary defines guilt as, “Remorse and regret, caused by having committed an offence, crime, violation, or wrong, esp. against moral, religious or penal law; justly subject to a certain accusation or penalty.”¹

Guilt is caused by breaking a law which the Bible calls sin; falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Since one is declared ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty,’ it is therefore not a feeling but a status we have because of sin or breaking a law. However, being guilty is usually accompanied by emotions of regret, inadequacy, unworthiness, remorse, embarrassment, shame, and blame-consequences that are painful. Unresolved guilt does have the power to destroy one´s life emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and I will explore this part at a later point.

Psychological and Theological guilt

Satan accusing us: Psychological guilt is the internalization of the emotional experience of, for example, being rejected or shamed by one´s parents, or some one closer.  It involves self-rejection (“I´m not worthy”) or self-shame (“I always blow it”). Psychological guilt often leads to self-punishment (such as cutting)² and self-denial as an attempt to find relief, which turns out to be not a relief at all. Sadly, destructive thoughts such as “I deserve punishment,” or “I don´t deserve to live” are the motivation for a shockingly high percentage of people who see their only way out of their shame and guilt. 

In one's despair in attempting to find relief, even committing, or wanting to commit suicide seem to be the inward thought process in some individuals. However, nowhere in the New Testament is psychological guilt regarded as a desirable or constructive feeling. In fact, Paul says that worldly sorrow leads to death, but godly sorrow (i.e., theological guilt) can lead to life (2 Cor. 7:10).³

The root of psychological guilt is often the ‘diablo,’ which is the Greek word for Satan.⁴ In Zechariah 3:1 and Revelation 12:10 we learn that he is also called "the accuser of the brethren." 

The Holy Spirit convicting us: Theological guilt is the Holy Spirit convicting us of breaking God’s law as it is recorded in the Bible. This leads to the feeling of having failed in one’s relationship with God. Dealing with it in the proper way leads to reconciliation and restoration of a full relationship with God and others.⁵ On the other hand, rejecting the Holy Spirit´s guidance leads to the hardening of our hearts (Hebrews 3:15) and grieving of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).

¹The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Article “guilty” was accessed on 10 Dec. 2009. <Dictionary.com<span="">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/guilty>.</Dictionary.com<>

²William T. Kirwan, Biblical Concepts for Christian Counseling,(Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984), 197.

³Ibid..

⁴The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

⁵William T. Kirwan, Biblical Concepts for Christian Counseling,198.