The Fierce Spiritual Battle Between Two Words
Psalm 6:1-10
Why do we become depressed?
It is said that there are four kinds of suffering in hell. First is the suffering of the fires of hell, second is the hatred and torment from those who are in hell because of you, third is the pangs of conscience, and fourth is the separation from God.
The suffering of hell begins in this world. This suffering, in particular, comes from the pangs of conscience, manifesting as “depression and fear.” David is praying about this very issue today.
“Do not rebuke me in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath… Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.” (Psalm 6:1-2) He repeatedly calls upon the name of the Lord in his earnest plea.
The Apostle Paul gives an answer to this in his letters. He says that if we acknowledge that suffering and have a desire to overcome it, then salvation has already begun.
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)
People often see “sin consciousness” and “guilt” as the same thing. However, sin consciousness and guilt are different. Sin consciousness is when the Holy Spirit makes us realize what our sins are.
Sin consciousness is the awareness of the seriousness of sin that we gain when the Lord makes us realize that we are sinners. Sin consciousness is the grace of realizing that the price of the sins we have committed is equivalent to the price of God’s life.
On the other hand, guilt, if excessive, can be pathological. Guilt leads to self-justification.
It leads to judging others, or if not that, then self-reproach and tormenting oneself. Adam and Eve sinned and felt guilt. However, that guilt didn’t last long.
They tried to rationalize and eliminate their guilt by making excuses and judging each other. Our judgment of others is often a form of self-justification stemming from guilt.
But when God appeared, they were forced to hide in fear. This shows that trying to eliminate guilt by judging others is futile.
The Apostle Paul spoke of two kinds of sorrow: the first, a sense of sin that leads to life, and the second, guilt, where one tries to bear the burden of sin oneself, but ultimately leads to death. Self-justification to escape guilt only traps one in the cycle of sin. Guilt is a thought to be discarded, while a sense of sin is a thought to be cherished.
We grow through a fierce spiritual battle with these two concepts. John Wesley, when meeting people, would often ask, “Brother, how is your soul today?” Following this, he would ask,
“Are you going on to perfection?” He focused on seriously implementing the command to “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) in their lives.
In this process of holiness, the issue of guilt and a sense of sin cannot be overlooked. Without resolving guilt, neither holiness nor boldness can be achieved. No one can escape guilt except through the blood of Christ.
While everyone feels shame before the Lord, the courage to stand before Him with the belief that our sins are forgiven is what we call “righteousness.” At this time, one deeply realizes the seriousness of sin and, through that “sense of guilt,” resolves not to fall into such sins again, thus being freed from that guilt.
Today, David prays in verses 9-10 of the passage:
“The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.
All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly terrified; they will suddenly be put to shame and turn back.”
Heavenly Father,
Today, though ashamed, we boldly come before You,
relying on the blood of Christ.
Wash away and cover our sins and guilt.
Make us the pure bride You have prepared.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
