June 18, 2014
Not Guilty
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth (John 14:15, NIV emphasis added).
Friend to Friend
During Jesus’ last supper with His disciples, He reassured them that He would not leave them as orphans. He said, “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever–the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17). The Greek word which is also translated Helper (NASB) and Comforter (KJV), isparakletos and means a “person summoned to one’s aid.” Originally it was a term used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleas another’s cause, an intercessor, an advocate.
I love the image of the Holy Spirit representing me in a court of law. Satan is called the accuser and he accuses us day and night (Revelation 12:10). He points his gnarly finger in our faces and says things like, “You aren’t a very good Christian.” “Jesus doesn’t really love you.” “You were a mistake when you were born.” “You’ve really blown it this time.” “What makes you any different now than before you accepted Christ?” “I don’t see much fruit in your life.” “You’re a pitiful excuse as a wife, as a mother, as a child of God,” etc.
Now tell me, have you ever thought any of those words before. Perhaps you’ve always assumed they were your own musings. That’s exactly what Satan wants you to believe, and he does a pretty good job at making us believe them. They sound like us, it feel like us, but those words are from the accuser himself. It is always amazing to me that while I might have trouble hearing God’s voice, Satan’s usually comes through loud and clear.
On the other hand, the Holy Spirit is our counselor, our attorney, our advocate who comes alongside us and repeats, “Not guilty! Not guilty! Not guilty!” He says, “No jail time! You, my child, have been set free!”
The accuser speaks lies against you.
The Advocate speaks truth for you.
Who are you going to believe?
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, there are many days when I feel guilty. I know now that it is Satan who tries to make me feel guilty and whispers accusing thoughts into my head. Thank You that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sin so that I can walk in freedom and live for eternity in heaven with You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Do you feel guilty because of past sin?
Have you asked God to forgive you for those sins?
Read 1 John 1:9 out loud: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Have you accepted God’s forgiveness?
If so, click over to my Facebook page and let’s share the good news. Leave a comment of confession: “I have been forgiven of ALL my sins.”
More from the Girlfriends
God longs for you to do more than just “forget about it.” He wants you turn those “all things” that Romans 8:28 talks about into ministry opportunities! Sister, when you begin to use your past mistakes and hurts for the glory of God, Satan has no more power over you! He can’t use them against you any longer. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to shout! Are you ready to turn your hurt into hope, your pain into purpose, and your messes into ministry? Then see my book, Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past. I’ll be cheering you on!
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Girlfriends in God
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