LESSON 5   
   *January 22 - 28   
   Guilt   
      
   SABBATH AFTERNOON   
      
   Read for This Week's Study: Gen. 3:8-13; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32; 1 Tim. 4:1, 2;   
   Matt. 26:75; Rom. 8:1.   
      
   Memory Text:   
      
      
   "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you   
   there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared" (Psalm 130:3, 4, NIV).   
    A sense of guilt is one of the most painful and incapacitating emotional   
   experiences. It may cause shame, fear, sorrow, anger, distress, and even   
   physical illness. Although often unpleasant, these feelings can be used by God   
   to lead sinners to repentance and to the foot of the cross, where they can   
   find the forgiveness they've been longing for. Sometimes, however, the guilt   
   mechanism makes people feel guilty about something for which they are not   
   responsible, as in the case of some accident survivors or children of divorce.   
      
   But when the sense of guilt is justified, it serves as a good conscience.   
   Guilt produces enough discomfort to make the person do something about it.   
   Depending on personal choices, guilt may be highly destructive, as in the case   
   of Judas, or highly positive, as in the case of Peter.   
      
   This week we will study four biblical accounts of guilt in order to understand   
   this process better and to see what we can learn about it. We can see how, if   
   properly channeled, guilt can be used by the Lord to our advantage. So much   
   depends, really, on our attitude toward the guilt we feel and what we choose   
   to do with it.    
   *Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 29.   
   SUNDAY   
   January 23   
      
   Shame   
      
   Read Genesis 3:8-13. How did Adam and Eve manifest the guilt they experienced?   
   What especially was bad about Adam's reaction?   
      
   Guilt was the first adverse emotion felt by the human race. Soon after Adam   
   and Eve sinned, their behavior changed. They "hid from the Lord God among the   
   trees of the garden" (vs. 8, NIV). This unprecedented reaction indicated fear   
   of their Father and Friend and, at the same time, their shame to face Him. Up   
   until their fall, they had found joy in God's presence, but now they hid   
   before His approaching. A beautiful bond was broken. In addition to fear and   
   shame, they felt sorrow, especially as they were made aware of the terrible   
   consequences of having disobeyed God.   
      
   Notice Adam's and Eve's words: " 'The woman you put here with me. . . ," and "   
   'The serpent deceived me. . .' " (NIV). Guilt brings about a seemingly   
   automatic reaction to place the blame on somebody else or to justify one's own   
   behavior with argumentation. Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis,   
   called this reaction "projection" and argued that people project their guilt   
   on others or on circumstances in order to lighten the burden of guilt. This   
   "projection" is considered a defense mechanism. But blaming others does not   
   work well for interpersonal relationships and poses a barrier to God's   
   forgiveness. The true solution consists of accepting full responsibility for   
   one's own actions and seeking the only One who can provide freedom from guilt:   
   "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"   
   (Rom. 8:1, NIV).   
      
   Sometimes people suffer from guilt for the wrong reasons. Close relatives to   
   those who commit suicide, survivors of a massive accident or calamity, and   
   children of a recently divorced couple are typical examples of what is, in   
   most instances, unfounded guilt. People in these situations need to be assured   
   that they cannot be held responsible for the behavior of others or for   
   unforeseeable events. And if in certain cases they do have some blame, they   
   must take responsibility for their actions, seek forgiveness from those whom   
   they have hurt, and then hold fast to such Bible promises as: "As far as the   
   east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Ps.   
   103:12, NIV).   
   How do you find yourself reacting to guilt? Are you quick, as Adam was, to   
   blame others for your wrong actions? How can you learn to face up to the   
   things you have done wrong and then, through the grace of God, move on? MONDAY   
   January 24   
      
   Joseph's Brothers' Distress   
      
   What particular remorse-eliciting memory lingered in the minds of Joseph's   
   brothers? Gen. 42:21. What does that tell us about them?    
   Guilt is associated with a particular occurrence of the past, sometimes an   
   image or a brief event that tends to be replayed mentally. Other times it   
   takes the form of a flashback image that invades one's mind or appears in   
   dreams or nightmares. The image of the adolescent Joseph pleading with his   
   older brothers for his life must have come to Jacob's sons again and again.   
      
   How else did guilt affect Joseph's brothers? Gen. 45:3.    
   People affected by guilt think on it repeatedly, lamenting the fact that they   
   did what they did, showing fear for the consequence, and entering into   
   self-blame. Such rumination produces much distress, frustration, and anger at   
   oneself for not having done differently. Unfortunately, no matter how much   
   time is devoted to recalling those thoughts, the past will remain unchanged.   
   Repentance and forgiveness are required. Joseph's noble character emerges, and   
   he offers forgiveness and encourages them to stop being angry at themselves.   
   He assures them that the occurrence of events had to do with God's design to   
   save many lives. The fact that God was able to use their evil action for good   
   doesn't, however, change the fact that they were guilty of a horrible crime.   
      
   How would obeying what's in these verses help us deal with guilt? James 5:16,   
   1 John 1:9.    
   All sins bring pain to the sinner and to God. Many sins also involve other   
   people. Each corner of the triangle (God--Others--Me) needs to be worked out   
   in order to bring a resolution to past wrongdoings. John tells us that God is   
   prepared to forgive and to purify us from unrighteousness. In addition, James   
   tells us to confess sins to each other; we should do this, especially to those   
   whom we've wronged.   
   Humble confession is the only way to free oneself from guilt. "Your sins may   
   be as mountains before you; but if you humble your heart and confess your   
   sins, trusting in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, He will forgive   
   and will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. . . . [The work of His   
   righteousness] is peace, and its effect quietness and assurance    
   orever."--Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 566. What do you need   
   to confess in order to experience the promises here? TUESDAY   
   January 25   
      
   Sapped Strength   
      
   Read Psalm 32. What does this teach us about guilt and confession? What does   
   David mean by "keeping silent"? What happens when one remains silent? What was   
   David's solution to his guilt?    
   Honest confession is good for the soul, and seemingly also for the body.   
   David's language clearly suggests that his mental state of guilt was causing   
   physical pain, as well: bones wasted away (vs. 3, NIV) and strength sapped   
   (vs. 4, NIV). Health professionals today recognize the close link between   
   psychological stress and physical maladies. The expression "psychosomatic   
   disease" has been part of the health professionals' language for decades, and   
   it refers to physical symptons caused largely by psychological processes. More   
   recently the field of psychoneuroimmunology has identified the key role that   
   mental states play in protecting our bodies from or exposing them to diseases.   
      
   Guilt, as does any other strong adverse emotion, causes immediate   
   deterioration in behavior and can, in the long run, destroy physical health.   
   But for those who know the Lord, there is no need of putting themselves at   
   risk.   
      
   David's testimony reveals the antidote for guilt: "Then I acknowledged my sin   
   to you. . . . And you forgave the guilt of my sin" (vs. 5, NIV).   
      
   Thus, shame, remorse, sadness, and hopelessness caused by guilt can vanish   
   through the Lord's wonderful forgiveness, and joy and happiness can come   
   instead (vs. 11).   
      
   Read 1 Timothy 4:1, 2. What does he mean by seared consciences?    
   Paul forewarned Timothy of individuals who would teach strange doctrines to   
   believers. They would do this because their consciences had been "seared as   
   with a hot iron" (vs. 2, NIV). As fire may burn nerve endings and make certain   
   parts of the body insensible, a conscience also may become seared by: (a)   
   repeated violation of correct principles until no sense of wrongness remains,   
   (b) strong environmental influences that cause one to view something wrong   
   with indifference or even as good.   
   What things that once bothered you now don't? If so, might that be a seared   
   conscience at work? Try to step back and take a good look at things you do   
   that don't bother your conscience but perhaps should. WEDNESDAY   
   January 26   
      
   Bitter Weeping   
      
   How One of the greatest manifestations of guilt appears in Matthew 26:75. What   
   made Peter's sense of guilt so great? Have you ever had a similar experience?   
   If so, what did you learn from it that could help you from making a similar   
   mistake?    
   On two occasions Peter stated his intention to be firm and never to deny the   
   Master. His second affirmation came even after the Lord had predicted that   
   Peter would deny Him three times that very night. Hours later two women   
   identified Peter as one of Jesus' disciples, and he denied the Lord each time.   
   Then a group of servants of the high priest's household identified him, and he   
   exclaimed: " 'I am not' " (John 18:25, NIV). Notice that the accusers (minors,   
   females, servants) were considered of low social rank in the context. This   
   must have added to Peter's shame and guilt later on.   
      
   The crucial point, however, is that Peter's weeping led to repentance, to a   
   change of heart and to a true conversion, no matter how painful the process   
   itself. Sometimes that's what it takes: we need to see ourselves as we really   
   are, to see what's really in our hearts, and what treachery we are capable   
   of--and then we will fall, broken like Peter, before the Lord.   
      
   "With blinding tears he [Peter] makes his way to the solitudes of the Garden   
   of Gethsemane and there prostrates himself where he saw his Saviour's   
   prostrate form when the bloody sweat was forced from His pores by His great   
   agony. Peter remembers with remorse that he was asleep when Jesus prayed   
   during those fearful hours. His proud heart breaks, and penitential tears   
   moisten the sods so recently stained with the bloody sweat drops of God's dear   
   Son. He left that   
      
   garden a converted man. He was ready then to pity the tempted. He was humbled   
   and could sympathize with the weak and erring."--Ellen G. White, Testimonies   
   for the Church, vol. 3, p. 416.   
      
   The first half of the book of Acts provides an unquestionable testimony of   
   Peter's transformation. His preaching and leadership and miracle workings were   
   extraordinary and led to the salvation of many. His work also led to the   
   foundation of the church as the body of Christ. His death, anticipated by   
   Jesus in John 21:18, was received as an honor, for he died in the same manner   
   as his Master.   
   In what ways have your falls and failures made you more sensitive to the falls   
   and failures of others? How can you learn to minister, out of your pain, to   
   others in theirs? THURSDAY   
   January 27   
      
   Total Forgiveness   
      
   "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who   
   do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1,   
   NKJV). What does this text promise us? How can we make this promise our own?    
   God's forgiveness is so great, so deep, and so wide that it is impossible to   
   understand fully. Even the best quality of human forgiveness cannot compare   
   with that of God. He is so perfect, and we are so flawed; and yet, through the   
   provision God Himself provided in Jesus, we all can have full and complete   
   pardon the moment we claim the promises for ourselves in full faith and   
   surrender to the Lord.   
      
   Read the three texts below. How do they shed light to help you understand   
   God's forgiveness? 	o 	Ps. 103:12   
   	o 	Isa. 1:18   
   	o 	Mic. 7:19   
      
   The Bible uses allegories from the concrete and familiar realms in order to   
   help us understand the meaning of difficult concepts. As far as we can   
   perceive, snow and wool are good examples of whiteness; the depths of the sea   
   are among the deepest places we can imagine; and nothing can be geographically   
   farther apart than east from west. Yet, these are limited allegories of God's   
   forgiveness.   
      
   In the Abbey of Elstow, a stained-glass window portrays an image inspired in   
   Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. Christian, the central character, can be seen   
   kneeling at the foot of the cross. His heavy burden of guilt is rolling away   
   from his shoulders, bringing ineffable relief to his soul. Christian says: "I   
   saw it no more." The burden was gone. Its pain, sting, anxiety, and shame   
   disappeared forever. Because of our imperfection, selfishness, and defective   
   relationships, it is very hard for us to understand the perfect and total   
   forgiveness of God. We simply can accept it by faith and pray: "Lord, I humbly   
   confess my sins to You and accept Your pardon and cleansing. Amen."   
   How can we be sure our sins are forgiven if we don't feel that they are   
   forgiven? What reasons do we have to believe we're forgiven, despite our   
   feelings? FRIDAY   
   January 28   
      
   Further Study:    
      
   "When sin struggles for the mastery in the human heart, when guilt seems to   
   oppress the soul and burden the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, who   
   lets in the beams of light? Whose grace is sufficient to subdue sin, and who   
   gives the precious forgiveness and pardons all our sins, expelling the   
   darkness, and making us hopeful and joyful in God?--Jesus, the sin-pardoning   
   Saviour. He is still our Advocate in the courts of heaven; and those whose   
   lives are hid with Christ in God must arise and shine, because the glory of   
   the Lord has risen upon them."--Ellen G. White, Bible Training School, May   
   1915.   
      
   "If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge   
   your wrong, and it is his duty freely to forgive you. Then you are to seek the   
   forgiveness of God, because the brother you have wounded is the property of   
   God, and in injuring him you have sinned against his Creator."--Ellen G.   
   White, The Faith I Live By, p. 128.    
   Discussion Questions:   
      
     Madame Mao, the wife of former leader of Communist China Mao Tse-Tung, lived   
   in constant fear and guilt, all because of many of the bad things she had   
   done. She was so paranoid, in fact, so full of guilt, that any sudden noises,   
   any unexpected sounds, would send her into cold sweats or into a fury. It got   
   so bad that she demanded that her staff keep birds away from her compound so   
   she didn't have to hear them singing. Though an extreme case, what does this   
   tell us about the power of guilt to ruin our lives?    
      
     What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with guilt over past   
   sins, who claims to have accepted Christ and yet still can't get rid of the   
   feelings of guilt? How can you help them?    
     In Thursday's lesson the Bible gave us a number of images to describe God's   
   forgiveness. Have class members come up with some of their own metaphors to   
   describe the depth of the forgiveness that is found in Jesus for those who   
   will accept it.    
    In a world in which no God existed, could guilt exist? Discuss your answer.    
    As we saw this week, God can use guilt to bring us to faith and repentance.   
   Are there any other "benefits" to guilt? If so, what might they be?    
      
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