How to Overcome Condemnation in Your Heart
“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (1 John 3:20-21)
For many years, I have heard numerous ministers quote a part of this verse that often makes people feel condemned: “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” Their emphasis is on the fact that if your heart condemns you, it is because you are in sin. Therefore, since there is sin in your life, you can’t have confidence in God until you repent and ask His forgiveness. It always amazes me how some ministers can come to that conclusion when reading this passage in context. The truth is believers can feel condemned whether they have sinned or not. Even if you sin, that isn't a reason to lose your confidence in God. John makes this abundantly clear in 1 John Chapter 2.
Our hearts or performances do not give us confidence in God; it is knowing God’s heart for us and what He did through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that gives us our confidence in God.
John is reminding believers that God is greater than their hearts and the condemnation they may be experiencing because “He knows all things.” What are those “things” God knows that we don't?
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).
John didn’t want believers to live in guilt and shame or have their hearts condemning them. He wanted them to know Jesus as their advocate/defense attorney who was on their side, not against them. Since Jesus was the propitiation for our sins, we have nothing to fear. The word “propitiation” means payment in full.
The only thing that will remove condemnation in your heart is knowing the truth about God’s character and the reality of being in Christ—He is love.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
Your heart does not have the final say; it is God’s heart for you that has the final word. Rest in that truth.
