Study 34 – Manipulated by Guilt

Paul tells us that Jesus' blood cleanses our conscience from dead works. This implies that we get into dead works when we don't have a clear conscience and are insecure in the grace of God.

If you're unsure of your acceptance and freedom from condemnation, you'll do things to try to justify yourself. 'I've got to shake off feelings of failure,' you think, 'so I'll do this and that and then I'll be happier about myself.' What you're really saying is this: 'I must earn God's approval by personal performance. Then he'll accept me.' By implication you're declaring that Jesus sacrifice isn't enough. You must add to it.

But don't you realise that Jesus has already impressed God on your behalf? God's blessing doesn't depend on your performance but on the finished work of Christ on the cross. When his blood cleanses your conscience you won't have to justify yourself or impress others ever again. So repent of your dead works and celebrate the fact that God has totally accepted you forever.

As a young pastor I spent several years focusing on my own church. Then I felt that I'd like to establish some fellowship with other churches in the town. My church was very excited about this, as was the local minister's fraternal. A few days later a gentleman arrived at my front door. 'We're delighted that you're going to be more involved with the local churches,' he said. 'In the next few weeks we'll all be delivering envelopes in the town asking for money. And later we'll collect them.' He obviously anticipated our enthusiastic support.

Sadly I didn't feel that God wanted us to be involved, which surprised him. 'All the other churches are joining in,' he replied, trying to unsettle my conscience. Then, with a final twist of the knife he added, 'even the Catholics!' I was untroubled by this attempt to manipulate me through guilt and didn't even try to justify myself. I remained secure in my relationship with God and again declined the invitation to be involved.

Many people get drawn into Christian activity through guilt manipulation. They hear of a need and feel that they've got to fill it because no one else is volunteering. What they're often thinking is, 'If I don't do it, what will others think of me?' So fear gets them involved in something for which they have neither faith nor love.

You're righteous before God and don't need to do anything to justify yourself. You don't need to plunge into a task simply because it's on offer. If God is saying 'No' you need to say 'No' too. Grace gives you that freedom.

To Meditate On

We don't gain God's approval through our performance.

'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent' (John 6:29).

'Now to the one who works his wage is not reckoned as a favour, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but who believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness' (Rom. 4:4,5).

'Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works' (Rom. 9:31,32).

To Consider

How would you spot someone who's doing a job with the wrong motivation?

What would you say to them?

What Scriptures would you use to underline your concerns?

Food For Thought

READ Acts 15:1-11.

What was the real issue at stake here?

What are the key words in Peter's response?

To Do

Is there anyone you know who may have fallen into the 'I gain God's approval through my works' trap?

PRAY that they'll receive revelation of the truth.

If possible, meet up. You may be able to explain the way of God more adequately and might even suggest that they read these Bible studies on grace.

Be Inspired

Man's greatest temptation is to produce good works to obtain righteousness, to try instead of trust.