For the Seven A’s of Confession Handout click here. 

In this episode Alex and Brenda explore guilt. By walking through the difference between subjectively feeling guilty and objectively being guilty we can begin to work through where and how guilt is affecting our walk with the Lord.

It’s important not only to recognize the difference between guilt and shame that Brenda and Alex discuss, but also to remind ourselves that there is a difference between conviction and condemnation. 

The Holy Spirit’s job is to convict us, but that conviction is an open invitation to repent and lean back into our relationship with God. Condemnation drives us away from Him and leads us into despair, but conviction is a gift that leads us into a better understanding of God’s Law and our relationship with Him. 

Alex and Brenda bring us back to the courtroom analogy to remind us that when we are in the courtroom of God we don’t have to worry. We can claim Christ’s righteousness for our own. We are responsible for how we respond to conviction, and whether we run towards or away from repentance, but ultimately through Christ we are declared not guilty. So often we’re programmed to think that the voice of God is harsh and demanding, but really He is wooing us back into a relationship with Him.

The soul tool in this episode walks us through the process of confession. In our own lives we can silence guilt in many ways, but unrepentant sin can bring destruction in our faith and our lives. When we confess our sin we are simply agreeing with God about our sin. We bring the darkness of our sin into the light of God’s mercy. We will receive forgiveness and cleansing when we lay our confessions before Him. 

Listen to Paul Tripp’s Confession is Grace here. 

Find the Gospel Waltz episode of Conversational Counseling here.

If you would like to listen to our season on Forgiveness you can find the first episode here.

To sign up for free visuals and discussion questions for this season click ⁠here⁠.

Our theme music is by ⁠As Isaac⁠.

This podcast is made possible by engineers and producers ⁠Zachary Tate Smith⁠ and ⁠Shane Selby⁠, executive producer ⁠Meleah Smith⁠, and ⁠generous donors⁠.

⁠Known Ministries⁠ is ⁠Alex Kocher⁠ and Brenda Payne. This fourth season of Conversational Counseling is called "Wisdom for life's common struggles.”