40 Encouraging Bible Verses About Guilt And Shame

At some point in our lives, we must have felt guilt over one mistake or action that didn’t go well. It is somewhat a general feeling, especially when we screw up. But I want us to understand that it is one way the devil uses to enslave and condemn us. He constantly reminds us of our mistakes, reading them aloud in our minds, judging us and telling us that our sins and mistakes cannot be forgiven. These are the lies he uses to perpetually make us feel ashamed and guilty. Continuously living under the bondage of guilt and shame can destroy us. However, it is important for us to know that whenever we stray away from God, he is ever willing to accept us back. No matter how long it take to return back to him or how damaged we are, he always long for our return with open arms, throwing away our sins into the wilderness of forgetfulness. He never remembers our sins nor judges us with it, he sees us as brand new creatures with new history. So instead of wallowing in the ocean of guilt and shame, let us humbly come before God, presenting our sins before him and with the willingness not to return to those sins again.

We should not allow the feeling of guilt and shame to keep away from receiving God’s love and mercy. After we have fallen into one temptation or the other, one way to get rid of feeling guilty and ashamed is by first, accepting that we have strained away.  Accepting our mistakes makes aware of that we are redeemable, thereby keeping us away from the lies of the enemy. After we have accepted our sins, the next step is to genuinely confess them to God seeking for remission. When we apply these practical steps with all humility, we will overcome the deceit of the devil and gain forgiveness from God. Join us in this blog as we study some Bible verses that will help us to fight against feelings of guilt and shame.

SEE ALSO: 40 Important Bible Verses About Total Dependence On God

What Does The Bible Say About Guilt And Shame?

The Bible is one comforting book we run to whenever we are weighed down in life, either as a result of our action or the situation we find ourselves in. The Bible provides us with words of love, hope and faith for all challenges. Now let us see what the Bible says about carrying the burden of guilt and shame.

Psalms 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. This scripture passes a clear message that God removes our sins from us when we come to him.

Proverbs 28:13 “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy”. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Solomon tells us in this verse that when we mask our sins from God, we will not prosper, but when we come to him confessing our sins and refusing to abide in them again, then we will receive forgiveness from God. The Bible expressly tells us that no sin is beyond forgiveness as long as we acknowledge them and repent.

John 3:18 “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”. The Bible informs us here that apart from committing sin which leads to condemnation, another way to be condemned is by not believing in the name of the only begotten son of God, which is Jesus.

Bible Verses About Guilt And Shame

1. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1
2. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
3. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12
4. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. – Isaiah 61:7
5. Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience. – Hebrews 10:22
6. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. – Micah 7:19
7. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
8. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin. – Psalm 32:5
9. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. – James 5:16
10. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. – Ephesians 1:7
11. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:23-24
12. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:36
13. I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. – Isaiah 43:25
14. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. – Psalms 34:5
15. I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten…You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. – Joel 2:25-26
16. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. – Proverbs 28:13
17. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. – Hebrews 8:12

Scriptures for Overcoming Shame

1. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. – Luke 7:47
2. Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. – Isaiah 50:7
3. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. – Psalm 25:3
4. For in Scripture it says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. – 1 Peter 2:6
5. As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame. – Romans 10:11
6. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. – 1 Corinthians 1:28-29
7. At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. – Zephaniah 3:19
8. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. – Psalm 51:17
9. Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. – Isaiah 54:4
10. Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. – Psalms 25:8
11. You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. – Psalms 69:5
12.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. – John 3:17
13.  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. – 1 Corinthians 6:18

SEE ALSO: 40 Important Bible Verses About Satan’s Distractions

Bible Verses About Guilt and Regret

1.  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. – John 1:12
2. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. – Acts 3:19
3. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. – Romans 10:13
4. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:2
5. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. – John 3:18
6.  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. – Romans 10:9 
7. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. – Acts 2:38
8. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. – Psalm 34:5
9. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. – 2 Corinthians 7:10
10. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28