Does the Bible actually use the word guilt, or is this just a personality phobia?

on Jan 24, 2023

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Does the Bible actually use the word guilt, or is this just a personality phobia? – A.G.

A: “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). The Bible teaches that all have broken God’s laws, and guilt is inescapable. Therefore, guilt rests upon the entire human race.

Some people may feel it more intensely than others, but the guilt is there whether in the conscious or in the subconscious realm. It must be dealt with before we can become normal, fulfilled personalities. This is why Jesus died. He died on the cross to take our guilt away. He shed His blood to purge our dead conscience. So guilt is not all bad. Without it, there is nothing to drive a person toward self-examination and toward God’s forgiveness.

Everywhere today, hearts are empty. Hearts not attuned to God will become catch basins for every device of the devil. Yes, Satan is at work in our world (see Job 1:7). This is what the Bible says. Satan exists and has control over multitudes whose hearts have never been captured by Jesus Christ.

The devil has intellectuals in high positions teaching a hedonistic and permissive philosophy. He has even recruited church leaders who are advocating more promiscuity and dismissing God’s Word.

The culture has had great success in infiltrating people’s minds. But is there hope? The answer is absolutely. The Bible is filled with testimonies of those who, by God’s grace, were victorious over Satan’s power. John Newton was a slave trader on the west coast of Africa. One day in a storm at sea, he met Jesus Christ and it changed his life forever. He will always be remembered for writing the hymn “Amazing Grace.” No one is beyond the reach of the loving arms of the Savior.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)