Dealing with Sin, Guilt, & Shame

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – April 24, 2022

“Dealing with Sin, Guilt, and Shame” – Genesis 3:1-13

SIN - Knowing the right choice, path, principle, direction, and willingly choosing the wrong one.

GUILT - The realization and acceptance that what I did was wrong. What I did, that was bad.

SHAME - The natural impulse to attach your guilt to your identity. Shame tells me that “I” am bad.

Sin, Guilt, & Shame In the Garden

Temptation Involves

• Doubt what God said – v1-3
• Denial of consequence – v4
• Desire for Knowledge – v5
• Desire to Appease Appetites – v6

Guilt moves quickly into shame

• Vulnerability v7                   - Fear v10
• Cover-up v7 - Blame v11-12
• Isolation v8 - Denial v13

Why did Adam & Eve hide from God? What did God ever do to them that they should be afraid of Him?

The Impact of Shame

Fear of Exposure - When the story of shame has taken hold in your heart and mind it will protect its position through isolation and retaliation.

False Identity - Shame can become the author and publisher of your story. It defines you by failure, insufficiency, regret mistakes, and sin. You don’t just believe shame’s story, you become that story.

TWO WAYS DEAL WITH GUILT – Matthew 7:13-14

                  The wide, easy way toward destruction or the narrow, difficult way toward life

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR GUILT - What is your first instinct when you fail? Don’t let shame tell your story.

Philippians 4:8