The 911 Handbook
Study Guide Answers
Lesson 6 Chapter 6
When You Can't Forgive Yourself: Canceling Guilt Trips
Answers are written in italics
Read Matt. 27:20-25
Discuss why you think Pilate washed his hands.
He felt guilty and thought doing a ritual like washing his hand would remove his guilt.
Methods to remove guilt:
Method #1: Blame It On Someone Else
How did Pilate use this method?
He blamed the multitude for the decision he made.
How did Adam and Eve use this method?
Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent.
In what ways do you use this method?
If we are guilty of doing a poor job at work, we can blame those we work with as the cause of the problem. If we are married, we can blame our spouses for the problems we cause.
Method #2: Run and Hide
What happened to Peter after he denied Jesus? (Matt. 26:75)
He wept bitterly, and went into hiding. He withdrew from fellowship until after the resurrection.
How do people today use this method when it comes to Christian fellowship?
They will withdraw from Christian fellowship, and then blame those who stay in fellowship for being uncaring and insensitive to their needs.
If you know someone who has dropped out of church or fellowship, what might be an underlying reason?
People who drop out of fellowship usually have an attitude problem. This usually indicates they may be involved in a sin and feel guilty about it, causing them to stay away from other Christians. (Blaming others for being insensitive is a defense mechanism to justify being out of fellowship).
Method #3: Cover It Up
Explain how Judas used this method at the Last Supper in the upper room.
He betrayed Jesus, then pretended nothing was wrong.
Discuss how this method is related to hypocrisy.
Whenever we cover up, we become hypocritical. Hypocrites cover up their sin, and they cover up their true feelings. Hypocrisy makes a person phony because he or she is living a double life.
Method #4: Get Some Professional Help
Why does this method fail so many times?
Some professionals make their living off people not getting well. The counsel of the ungodly (Ps. 1:1) will never solve the problem.
How do many counselors deal with the guilt problem?
They tell the person that what they are doing is NOT wrong. They try to do away with guilt by easing the conscience of sin and God.
The Only Cure for the Guilt Problem
Read Matt. 27:25. How did the crowd give the answer to the guilt problem without realizing it?
They asked for Jesus' blood to be upon them. The blood of Christ is the only thing that will wash away guilt (1 John 1:7)
First, Admit what you have done.
Why is confession the first step in canceling guilt trips? (Ps. 32:5)
Sin is usually hiding in the closet. It makes the person become honest with his or her situation, opening the door for God's light to shine in the closet.
From a guilty person's perspective, how can confession benefit?
It often is a great relief to confess what a person has been hiding. A weight is lifted off the person's soul when a person gets real and honest.
Second, Receive the cleansing.
Since the work of salvation has already been done at the cross, what is the only thing left?
The cleansing must be received.
How does a person receive a gift?
He must reach out and take it for himself, so that it becomes his possession.
How can a person receive something he or she can't see?
We must receive it by faith into our hearts. When a person receives something by faith, an inward "knowing" comes with it.
Explain how the "Remember the duck" story relates to the lies of Satan.
Satan tries to get us to remember the things that God has already forgiven us of. We must refuse to listen to his lies.