If you’re feeling condemned when reading the Bible, it’s often because we’ve moved away from the truth and have allowed the lies of the devil to fill our minds and hearts. These feelings of inadequacy get us focused on thinking that we are not good enough, causing us also to feel deep guilt and shame.
Don’t let this happen to you!
Condemnation is a lie from the devil! He wants to trap you into this feeling for as long as he can so that you don’t feel worthy enough to even consider turning back to God. It is so important to identify condemnation quickly before the lies take root in your heart.
In this post you will find some practical ways that will help you identify when condemnation comes, how to get out from under it and start walking in God’s purpose and plan for your life!
Identify when condemnation comes
Identifying when condemantation comes as fast as possible is vitally important so that you are not captured by it. Feeling condemned is a trap from the devil, with its aim to move you away from the truth.
When you read the Bible and you feel condemned, there’s often a cloud of wrong thinking in your mind that you need to get rid of so that you can begin to clearly hear from God.
Some of the common thoughts that cause us to feel condemned are:
- I always make mistakes
- I’m never good enough
- I am ashamed of what I’ve done
- I hate myself
- I’m messed up my whole life
All these thoughts are at their root a lie, they come from the devil, a liar and the father of all lies (John 8:44).
You need to replace these lies with a different picture, get them out of your mind by receiving and speaking the Word of God instead:
1. Jesus paid the price for my sin, I am forgiven and God is working everything for my good because I love Him and I am called according to His purpose (1 John 2:2, Romans 8:28)
2. I am good enough, God has demonstrated His own love for me by sending His Son to die for my sins (Romans 5:8)
3. I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. I am loved, anointed and appointed by God. He chose me and I am more than enough! (Romans 8:27, 1 John 2:27, John 15:16)
Repeating the Word of God constantly from your heart will help you get rid of feeling condemned and start operating in faith. This will position you for success! Remember, the Holy Spirit will help you if you ask Him – don’t be afraid to ask for His peace in your heart and mind, and grace to renew your thoughts to His way of thinking.
Repent for whatever it was that got you feeling condemned
Feeling condemned when reading the Bible is a sign that we’ve entertained wrong thoughts in our minds. The thoughts that are getting you to feel condemned are a lie, and entertaining those thoughts is a sin. When this happens, repent by confessing your sin to the Lord – He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). You need to believe it and act on it.
Everything good comes from God (James 1:17). His Will is for you to be blessed, strengthened, encouraged and filled with faith when you read your Bible, not feeling condemned. This is a process because it requires us to change our way of thinking to His way of thinking, but with the help of the Holy Spirit you can be certain that you will get rid of condemnation and walk in faith with confidence.
Stop listening to the lies of the devil
The voice of the devil is very subtle, he speaks through thoughts, sometimes getting us to think it’s our own internal voice. His suggestions are fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16) and weapons against you.
Every believer experiences the warfare of the mind. Don’t think something strange is happening to you because you’re in a battle – in fact you should praise God! In our weaknesses He is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9).
To be able to identify the lies of the enemy, you need to know the Word of God. The Word of God is the light that will allow you to see what is true and what is not. Commiting to a daily faith routine is essential to lead you into the truth.
Once you identify the lie, speak the Word of God out loud, reminding yourself that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Know that there’s no mistake that is too big for Jesus
Feeling condemned often comes after we’ve made a mistake that we think is eternal, and of no repair. Perhaps we’ve offended someone, or our bad decisions have led straight to a catastrophe. Whatever it might be, big or small, know that there’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and that God works all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose! (Romans 8:28). Do you love him?
Jesus paid the price for your sin, now you need to receive His forgiveness in your heart and forgive yourself for whatever mistake you’ve done in the past. If God doesn’t condemn you, no one is fit to condemn you! You have been forgiven and set free from that feeling by the blood of Jesus. You don’t need to earn it, you just need to accept it.
There’s no mistake or sin too big for Jesus. When He died on the cross, He paid for ALL our sins so that through Him we could receive the forgiveness of God. It is a free gift that needs to be activated by faith. So, receive it, make it yours and move on in confidence and in the power of God!
Know that Jesus loves you no matter what
No matter what you’ve done or haven’t done, know that Jesus loves you UNCONDITIONALLY.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Even before getting to know Him, He loved us. The scripture says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! He knows everything about us, including our flaws and failures, and He still loves us. His love is not conditioned by what we do or we don’t do, He loves us for who we are, He loves us no matter what.
When you read the Bible, know that He loves you unconditionally and He does not inflict condemnation upon you. He loves you so much that there’s nothing you can do for Him to stop loving you.
Know that Jesus believes in you and your potential
Everything God creates has a purpose – even YOU! It is important to know and understand that God has created us with a specific purpose. For this reason, we can be certain that He believes in us and our potential – otherwise we wouldn’t even be here. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that He even has plans for us to give us hope and a future!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
He has good plans for us and has provided everything we need to succeed. Our work is to believe what He said about us, take it as our ultimate truth and put it into practice.
Know who you are in Christ
Working on who you are in Christ is important to see and understand who you really are and not be deceived by the lies of the devil. Feeling condemned when reading the Bible is not the will of God. However, it is our job to get out of this feeling by renewing our mind with the Word of God (Romans 12:2) so that we can know who we really are and act on it with confidence.
