Freedom From Condemnation

Unless there is renewed life within each of us, we are still under the law of sin and death—the corrupted, blurred and broken image of what God originally created and desires for each person. Without a renewed life and focus we will continue feeling condemned. That’s why it helps to review WHO we are as believers – because we’ve been changed. IN Christ you ARE right now, today, perfect IN Him because your renewed life began when you accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for you. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV reminds you, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation [new person]. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” There’s no condemnation.

What happens in our world, and many times in our lives is that we’ve allowed a different picture to emerge and define us. We are too susceptible to the lies of the enemy when he has us wondering if what God said is true. (Adam and Eve’s problem). Susceptible when we don’t have the Word and its power working in our heart and mind. Susceptible when we don’t believe what Jesus did for us and who we now are IN Him. THIS is the when we doubt. Doubt and fear can often times go hand in hand, and either borders on not believing what God has said and done.

Unbelief was the report 10 of the 12 spies and it caused them to be fearful and encounter more problems in their journey in the wilderness. Unbelief will keep you from God’s best. If entertained in your thoughts, it will easily lead you to thinking condemning things about yourself that are all contrary to God’s best. Barry Bennet says unbelief can only be conquered by eliminating distractions and focusing on Jesus and the Word. You will conquer his tactics and stand strong and victorious in God’s power working in our life when you don’t focus on negative things and condemnation but instead change your focus to the Word.

God has provided everything we need to live this life in power, strength, and victory. He’s given us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, giving us wisdom and direction. We fail to avail ourselves of all that God has when we don’t live in our identity, when we don’t keep our focus on Jesus and His Words, and when we let the lies of the enemy to slip into our thinking.

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-15), He knew who she was. The Samaritans were hated, despised by the Jews, yet Jesus choose to talk to her because she needed to be set free from condemnation. He knew she was under self-condemnation and the condemnation of the community. He asked for a drink of water from her, and offered her living water. He didn’t condemn her. He gave her an opportunity to be free from condemnation, guilt, and fear. Don’t you think her life was radically changed after that encounter?

Operating in condemnation, guilt, or fear, gives you a narrow focus of life, and the outcome looks bleak. Condemnation and guilt can also lead to many physical ailments, sickness, and disease. That is NOT God’s plan.

Gods plan is what Paul reminds us in Romans 8:1 NASB – “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

It’s time for us to change our thinking. It’s time to change our focus. We said it before, but it’s time to change how we view ourselves in light of what Jesus did. And, yes, it’s time to push away the condemnation of others from our lives. Condemnation only alienates and brings feelings and thoughts of not being good or good enough, unworthy of anything good. Don’t you know you’re one of His favorites?

TRUTH: Jesus changed your ‘sinner’ status to His beloved child. It’s not based on what you did or now do, but on what He did. You don’t have to be afraid of not doing enough for Him to love you, to accept you. It has everything to do with what Jesus DID. Condemnation creeps in when you hear damning words like you’re not doing enough as a believer. It creeps in when you think you need to do more in order to receive God’s blessings. It creeps in with what others say to you or about you that puts you in a deficit for receiving God’s best. Dwelling on those thoughts can spiral to further guilt and condemnation. But you’re not under condemnation of any kind.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to operate in God’s provided armor when we face battles—battles of condemnation and guilt. He says “in all circumstances, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one” (verse 16 ESV). Your armor is secured in your new life in Jesus Christ. He is your righteousness. You exchanged your life for His. Therefore, to say or think you come up short is not truth. You are complete IN Him as Colossians 2:10 NASB says, “and in Him you have been made complete.”

APPLICATION: You are complete in Jesus. The only lack you may feel or think of is in not understanding your new nature, your new life in Jesus Christ. Here’s where working it out in your practical, everyday life comes in. When those thoughts of lack, condemnation or guilt come, counter them with what does God says about you and quote the Word. The more you store the Word in your heart, the stronger you’ll be in defeating the enemy when he tries to get you under condemnation.

You ARE more (MORE) than a conqueror through Christ as Romans 8:37 ESV states: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” That means you have the ability to rise above the accusations and counter them every time.

Let these verses encourage and strengthen your heart and mind.

Philippians 4:7 ESV – “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Make It Personal: God’s peace is guarding my heart and mind with the truth of what Jesus has done for me, and I am staying in peace.

Philippians 4:8 ESV – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Make It Personal: I will not think on the condemnation or negative things but on the things of God that are good, just, and honorable that bring me peace and deliverance.

Phil. 4:8 – TPT –Let’s not get our eyes off the promises and focus on the problems, the condemnation, etc.

Make It Personal: I’m not focusing on the problems and condemnation but on the promises of God that are mine.

Romans 8:1-2 NASB – “¹ Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

Make It Personal: I am not under any condemnation because I am IN Christ, and He has set me from everything that would keep me bound.

Romans 5:1 NASB – “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Make It Personal: Because I’ve been justified by faith in Jesus, I have peace from God, never condemnation.

2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB – “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Make It Personal: I destroy and bring down all words and take captive all thoughts that would condemn me and leave them with Jesus because He took my condemnation.

Romans 6:4 ESV – “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Make It Personal: Because of my new life in Jesus Christ, I will continue walking in newness of life, free of condemnation, guilt, and anything negative.

Ephesians 6:16 ESV – “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”

Make It Personal: Any time I hear condemnation, I will hold up my shield, my faith, and stop the fiery darts that want to destroy me.

Romans 8:37 ESV – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Make It Personal: In everything and any situation, I AM more than a conqueror through Jesus because He loves me and lives BIG in me.

ASK YOURSELF

In what ways have I overcome condemnation this week? Today?

How am I putting Romans 8:1-2 into practice in my daily walk?

How am I actively practicing 2 Corinthians 10:5?

How am I defeating doubt and fear?