Free From Any Condemning Charges

I used to be the king of self-condemnation.  

In fact, I pretty much hated myself because I was stuck in sin and was not strong enough to overcome it. Whenever I fell into my pattern of sin, the guilt and shame would quickly follow, and I would begin beating myself up mentally and sometimes even verbally. 

Thankfully, through the message and ministry of Freedom in Christ, I learned that there was a spiritual basis for the condemnation. I learned to fight the battle with God’s strength—based on the truth of His word—from the security of being chosen by God to be his child through faith in the accomplished work of Jesus Christ.   

That was also the first step in overcoming the sin habits and patterns too! It’s been 20 years I have walked free from those habits and patterns which developed throughout my teenage years.  

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more that that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:31-34, NIV).

There are three different sources of condemning charges we need to learn to overcome.  

First is the enemy of our souls. The Apostle John heard a voice in heaven say that our enemy is called the Accuser of the brothers (Revelation 12:10). And how are we told he can be overcome? By the “blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Rev. 12:11a). Our only defense is Jesus Christ and His shed blood for us. At the same time, we see that we must testify to His finished work and give evidence of being in Christ, through our growth in word and deed.  

Second, we must learn not to condemn ourselves and agree with the enemy. I got so good at condemning myself that I could just about picture Satan simply pushing the ‘Easy Button’ and letting me run with thoughts against myself. What I had to learn was that thinking condemning thoughts against myself continued to put me at odds with God.  I was continuing in sin because I was disagreeing with the Lord!  And whenever you or I disagree with God, who is right? I hate to break it to you… it’s not us.

The solution is repentance: a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. So, I started intentionally thinking thoughts in line with what God says is true.  “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? … Who then is the one who condemns?”  Jesus himself said, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son” (John 3:17-18, NIV).

Our testimony is this: ‘Lord Jesus, I believe in you and your finished work. You died on the cross for my sin and rose from the grave proving you can give me life. I confess I have sinned. Thank you for your forgiveness. I place all my trust in you alone. I acknowledge that my acceptance, security and significance are not based upon my accomplishments or behavior, but because you have justified me and continue to intercede for me. Thank you that you love me and have made me your child by faith.’ 

The third source of condemnation is other people. In ministry, I realized I was receiving condemnation from others in the name of “humility and a willingness to learn.” I’m far from perfect and don’t have all the answers, so I listen to what others have to say. But, when people are presenting counsel, there is a huge difference between offering their wisdom versus (changed from and) putting us down because we don’t measure up to their standards.  

So how do we tell the difference between conviction of wrong and condemnation? You can tell by what it produces in your life. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (NIV) says, “yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” The feeling is the same, sorrow. How do you tell the difference? By what that sorrow is producing in your life.  

Dear Saints, refuse to receive condemning charges from the enemy, from yourself, or from others. Jesus is your defense attorney and no one can bring charges against you! Rather, receive the conviction of sin and, by the power of the blood of Christ and your agreement that you are alive and free in Him, commit to learning and growing because God is for you and will graciously give you all things!