So I went to bible study this morning where we are studying No Other Gods by Kelly Minter. Today’s lesson was based on the life of Leah and Rachel being married to Jacob. What a messed up family relationship stuff that was. Laban cheating his son-in-law, love and unlove in the same household, sisters having to share a man, babies/no babies. What a total mess. Anyways, as we walked through the lesson learning about how to handle sin, and jealousy, envy and anger one of the ladies commented that the memory of her sin makes her feel guilty, even after she repents, and what should she do with that? The memory of sin created guilt.

Go: Memory of sin
I remember it,
Clear as a bell,
That day I walked out of the store.
Grabbing some pop I didn’t pay for.
Immediately as I left I felt the sting
Conviction of wrong-doing
There, I did it again.
I didn’t go back.
Over time that sin
It weighed me down
Conviction encouraging me
To make it all right.
Finally driven
Back to the store
I paid for a pop,
But I left it at the door.
Conviction assuaded,
I knew I did right.
But the guilt of the day
Kept me up at night.
What do I do?
How can I make it right?
I ALREADY DID IT!
I made it ALRIGHT!!!
Til finally God
When I cried out again
Said Leave it my child
at the cross once again.
Forgiveness you sought.
Freely given it was.
You made it alright with
The place you stole from.
Leave it with me.
It’s covered you see.
Don’t let old memories
Drive you away from me.
And then I remembered
The difference between
Guilt and conviction,
It’s not always easy to see.
Conviction drive you
To repair what is wrong.
Guilt causes a wedge
It’s not where you belong.
Leave the past to the past
Once forgiveness is given.
Tell the guilt now
Good riddance.
Stop
Another poem in this years write 31 days challenge. Have you been having fun? I hope so!
Ooh, excellent. I have not ever considered the connection between guilt and conviction. They have always been two separate things in my head. Something new to consider. Thank you.
you are so welcome! Sometimes I listen well when God speaks. 🙂