Dealing with Guilt from the Past

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scripture Text:  Mark 6:14-29

Mark 6:16

 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

(ESV)

There is an abundance of programs in media dealing with the paranormal indicating an interest in things beyond our spiritual dimension.  While as a Christian interest in the spiritual is good in that it provides an open door to share about Jesus and the Bible, these programs mainly deal with hauntings of both locations and people.  While this may be good for ratings it is not theologically correct according to the Bible. 

First, any spiritual manifestations in a location are not because of a disembodied deceased person for the Bible teaches that absence from the body ushers one into the presence of the Lord to face judgment (2 Corinthians 5:6-10).  This is not to say that there cannot be spiritual manifestations in the world but that the origin of these manifestations is not human but a demonic or angelic being.  During Jesus’ ministry, He often confronted demonic manifestations that possessed people (Matthew 4:24; 7:22; 8:16) and even direct confrontation with Satan during His temptation (Matthew 4:1-11).  However, people in the Bible also confronted angelic beings.  Lot had a visitation from two angelic beings that rescued him from Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-22).  Peter also had an angelic visitation that aided in his escape from prison for his faith after fervent prayer on his behalf (Acts 12:1-19).  Scripture, therefore, leads to the conclusion that any spiritual manifestations originate from either demonic or angelic beings. 

As Christians we have no need to fear haunting from these beings for Jesus has overcome Satan and fear does not originate from God (John 16:33; 2 Timothy 1:7).  However, just as with Herod, past sins can come back to haunt us.  When reminded of a past sin we must determine its source.

1)      The Holy Spirit – Everyone coming to know Jesus as his or her savior does so after convicted of their sin by the Holy Spirit.  Since there is no record in Scripture of Herod accepting that Jesus was Messiah and instead a curiosity over who He was (Luke 23:6-12), it is safe to conclude Herod was feeling conviction.  Thoughts of past unrepentant sin are not guilt but conviction from the Holy Spirit and something both believers and non-believers must deal with.  For a non-believer, its conviction by the Holy Spirit of their need to surrender their life to Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10).  For the believer, it is an alert from the Holy Spirit of unrepentant sin in one’s life that is hindering their relationship with God.  In either case, the reminder of sin illustrates an obstacle to someone moving forward in their relationship with their creator. 

2)      Satanic – John 10:10 reminds us that Satan has one purpose, to kill, steal, and destroy God’s people.  If one is a believer and has repented of the sin in their lives, the source of sin’s reminder is satanic for God has completely forgiven the sin (John 3:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).  This is guilt as opposed to a conviction for the purpose is drawing one away from intimacy with God instead of closer intimacy with God. 

3)      Personal doubts about one’s relationship with God – While the theme of the Gospel is salvation by grace with Jesus taking the condemnation for our sins, false teaching of salvation by works and the possibility of losing one’s salvation still exists.  This was the source of the false teaching in Ephesus and why in his letter to the Ephesians Paul penned Ephesians 2:8.  The salvation offered by Christ on the cross is complete and eternal.  However, we still live in the flesh and in a world dominated by sin which can dirty our feet as we walk through the world.  This is the symbolism of Jesus’ washing of the Disciple’s feet (John 13:1-11) and what John meant by 1 John 1:9.  While most people are familiar with John 3:16, John 3:17 and Romans 8:1 reminds us of the fact that those in Christ have no condemnation. 

Those in Christ need not fear haunting from demonic spirits for Jesus death on the cross rendered him powerless.  Likewise, we need not fear haunting from our past life but must determine its source.  If the source is unrepented sin in our lives, we must turn to God for forgiveness.  If it is satanic, we must draw closer to God for the purpose is drawing us away from intimacy with Christ.  If the source is our own doubts, we must remind ourselves of God’s promises and that our salvation is secure in Christ (John 3:17; Romans 8:1).  There is no need to endure haunting by the past as Herod did because we have freedom from sin in Christ.