There are two common responses to guilt: 1) Self-justification and denial, or 2) Compunction — sorrow for sin that leads to confession and changes in behavior.
To reject compunction (moral responses to guilt, that prompt you to quit guilt-producing thoughts and behaviors) is dangerous. Compunction is the inner unction that tries to lead you away from sin.
Shame says, “You’re no good.” Guilt says, “You missed up.” Compunction says, “There’s a better way to live.” Compunction is an inner compass that lets you know when you’re morally off track and jumping into the torment of guilt and shame. When you’re at the junction of right and wrong, let compunction steer you in the godly direction so that you don’t malfunction.
A hard heart allows itself no compunction for sin and little compassion for others. If you feel no compunction in your heart, steering you away from sin, then you’re not following the risen Jesus. When you let your heart be guided and changed by God’s compunction, then peace, joy, and love will begin to flow from within you.
If heart-felt expressions become formalized, they tend to leave the heart and settle in the mind. Jesus calls us back to the heart.
You can’t undo what you’ve done, but you can expose it, renounce it, and then act to make it right and not repeat it. That’s called repentance.
Some thoughts are better not thought. Some words are better not said. Some actions are better not done. Be better. The idea that, if you have a desire to do something then it’s a good thing to do, is illogical.
