I've heard Joyce Meyers on tv speak of the difference between feeling convicted by God or feeling condemnation by Satan. Satan is a liar and always has been.

When God convicts you of a sin, He gently brings it to your mind so you will try to stop the behavior. But the old devil can take anything we've ever done, even when we know we were forgiven, and try to whip up some condemnation.

God seems to show us things in a gentle manner, and I really believe that Satan wants us to hate ourselves, to give up all hope, because then we're his. Don't believe his lies.

"The Battlefielf of the Mind" by Joyce Meyers is an excellent book. It shows you the different kind of wrong thinking that can come up, whether from the devil or our own minds, and how we don't have to accept that thought that came into our mind....we can look at it and see if it agrees with what Scripture says about the issue.

I'm sure there are many good scriptures about God's mercy and forgiveness. My suggestion, and Joyce's too, probably, would be to memorize a few of those scriptures which are truth, and say them out loud when your mind is trying to tell you that you should feel condemned.

I'll try to find those scriptures tomorrow. Hope I can remember to do this. The internet can be a wonderful tool fur us Christians. God bless you and I pray you don't have these kind of thoughts anymore.

I was unable to get on line the other day, and now running to a nursing home to play for a Communion Service. I'll be posting some helpful quotes here soon. Anyone else want to comment on this topic?

I've read many Joyce Meyers books, and I found this when looking for the topic, first thing that Google came up with: I hope it helps you....

How to Embrace God’s Forgiveness
by Joyce Meyer

Do you serve God or your feelings?

Now, that may sound like an odd question for a believer, but really, it isn't. Let me put it this way... When you ask God to forgive you, do you accept His forgiveness right away or do you waste time feeling guilty?

So many Christians struggle with guilt and condemnation. They're trying to pay God back for what they did wrong when Jesus already made it right.


God's unconditional love is a very difficult concept for people to accept because, in the world, there's always payment for everything we receive. It's just how things work here. But God is not like people!

Aren't you glad about that?

We need to learn that whether or not we feel forgiven, we're forgiven.


The Power of Confession

Feelings of guilt and condemnation are a huge problem in the Church, but I want you to understand that’s what they are—feelings.

If you really know God's Word, no matter how you feel, you can speak scriptures over your life and pretty soon your feelings have lost their authority.

For instance, 1 John 1:9 says that if we repent and confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us. You need to take hold of that.

The next time you ask God to forgive you and then feel guilty afterward, open your mouth and say, "God forgave me." Quote 1 John 1:9 or use another scripture but say it out loud. There is power in the tongue!

Praying and declaring Scripture out loud not only helps to renew your mind, it helps you stand firm, and it certainly puts the devil in his place.

The devil will try to make us feel guilty even when we didn't do anything wrong. So we need to confess our sins until everything is out in the open and told, and then get dressed in our spiritual armor so we can firmly stand our ground.


Love Conquers Condemnation

When it comes right down to it, we just want to be loved unconditionally and accepted for who we are. We don't want to have to pretend or perform. We just want to be accepted and loved. And God offers that to every single one of us.

None of us can earn God's love. But in order to receive God's love we need to first believe that He loves us.

If you have trouble believing God in this area, don't just put up with it and wish that you felt better. Study the love of God. Read books about it. Listen to teachings on love. Start talking about it.

Say, "If anybody can have God's love, I'm going to have it. If anybody can be free, I'm going to be free. If anybody can be happy, I'm going to be happy. If anyone can have peace, it's going to be me. If anybody can be used by God, I can be used by God. If anyone can get over their broken past, I will."

Don't give in to your emotions—minister to them. Manage them. Remember that every day you're in Christ, you're a new person.


Choosing A Season of Growth

Another area Christians struggle with is believing God has great plans for their life. Don't trust your feelings on that either. Trust God's Word.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

We can all have the future God has planned for us if we choose to go after it—if we choose to grow and develop a deep relationship with God.

Yes, it's painful to grow. It's not easy to say no to yourself and yes to God. But every time you deny your flesh, it gets a little weaker and you get the victory.

People who are really strong, serious Christians are going after the meat of the Word. They listen to teachings on pride. They want to be humble, patient and victorious in Christ, and they train themselves to learn right from wrong.

I'm here to tell you that if you know who you are in Christ and you choose to grow, you will have a lot less trouble fighting guilt and condemnation. As a matter of fact, you will love God and the people He uses to correct you because they're helping you change and grow.

I don't want you to wake up every day and just live your life based on how you feel. I want you to know that God loves you no matter what and that you don't have to let feelings dictate the course of your life.

I believe you will see a transition if you pray and ask God, "Do what you want to do in my life. I'm Yours."

I dare you.

in Romans 8 we read and are assured
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

How we feel can be so misleading too, I say to my self, I am a child of God, I am not condemned but free from bondagage to live and worship HIm with out fear of anyone or anything, and no one has the right to tall me differently.

Memorize this verse, and repeat it every time you think God does not forgive you!

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Norma's verse from Romans 8:1 is another great one to memorize!

I grew up with an overbearing father (and he was a Christian). I had to be the perfect girl (and woman). He would never accept anything but perfection (in his viewpoint).

I saw God like that - if I wasn't perfect then he wouldn't love me. I tried and tried to believe in Him, but I always felt disappointed and I didn't understand God. I felt like I was praying to a statue.

Recently, I am learning about Jesus and grace and His love. Slowly I'm falling in love with him.

Thanks for reading.

I hope I am making sense -- expressing myself isn't my strong-suit.

RP, You expressed yourself beautifully....not perfect, but beautifully. I'm so glad you are getting closer to Christ and your relationship with Him is growing. Wonderful news!