Q: I know I’m supposed to feel guilty when I sin, but I can’t say that I really do. I guess that’s why I’ve never felt any particular need for God. Why should I worry about this?
A: One reason you should be concerned about this is because you are guilty when you sin—whether you feel guilty or not. The Bible solemnly warns, “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
You see, feelings aren’t always a reliable test of the truth. I may be convinced that nothing is going to happen to me if I walk down a dark alley at night—but my feelings may be wrong, and I actually may be placing myself in great danger. Or I may be convinced I’m in good health and have nothing to worry about—but a deadly cancer still may be growing undetected inside me. Our feelings may mislead us—but facts never will.
Don’t be misled by your feelings, and don’t ignore the little voice within you that prompts you to do right and rebukes you when you do wrong. Tragically, that voice (which we call our conscience) can become dulled or almost silenced if we refuse to listen to it. I doubt if this has happened to you, however; otherwise you wouldn’t have written me. The Bible warns us to listen to what God is telling us, “so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13).
Face honestly your need for God. Then by faith ask Jesus Christ to come into your life, to forgive you and change you into the person He wants you to be. May the Psalmist’s prayer become yours: “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth” (Psalm 86:11, ESV).
