Let the guilty pay

Brenda Cannon HenleyBy Brenda Cannon Henley
Have you ever been guilty of something, whether it be intentional or accidental, and you felt terrible about the matter? Perhaps the biggest part of your quandary is the old “stirring the pot” controversy. If you speak up or try to “fix” the matter, it could evolve, hurt more people, and really not advance your cause or your feelings. By drawing more people into the equation, you could be opening up more discussion, more revelation, and greater hurt feelings.

Paul discusses the matter of guilt in 2 Corinthians 12. Verse 16 declares, “But be it so, I did not burden you, nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

Guilt and innocence is most often decided by judges and jurors of our peers. Human beings get caught up in following legal cases of interest and crime drama shows are gaining in media ratings. For years, true crime books and magazines have had huge market success.

Some of the saddest and most disturbing articles I have ever written had their genesis in the fact that a spouse, family member, neighbor, or stranger decided to carry out justice for a crime or perceived crime without the aid of the legal system or law enforcement.

One of the first solid Bible principles we learn is that we all are sinners. We did not choose to be, but we were born with the sin nature. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8).

There are times when we don’t mean to be bad or do hurtful things, but because of this sin nature, we do things that cause us to be hurtful and guilty. Trusting Christ for salvation and walking closely with Him, staying in His word, attending church and being in teaching classes help us to guard against allowing guile to form in our hearts and actions.

I have noticed in all these years of counseling that often the guilty party will accuse another of the exact same things he or she is doing. If a man is cheating on his wife or partner, and gets caught red-handed, the tendency is to use his very acts, and tell them with great emotion, and even tears, to prove his love, devotion, and goodness. I saw that this very week.

It is sickening and heartbreaking.

The best course of action is to live right, not lie, and certainly not get caught up in the abounding drama and heartbreak guilt brings. It is most often precious family members that suffer most.

The good news is that we can be forgiven if we are willing to confess our sins and guilt. We need to learn to ask God daily to help us live pure and clean.

If we have realized we are guilty, we must use discretion in how we apologize, who is involved, and whether trying to right the wrong is the best plan.

Brenda Cannon Henley can be reached at (409) 781-8788, or
[email protected]

[10-14-2019]

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