God is Greater Than Your Heart
Finding Confidence in Christ: Overcoming Condemnation and Walking in Truth
In the midst of spiritual battles, we often need reassurance about who we are and whose we are. Even Abraham Lincoln, during one of America's darkest periods, sought reassurance by reaching out to a Confederate colonel in a military hospital. This powerful moment of connection during war reminds us that sometimes we need to be reminded of the bigger picture.
When Doubt and Accusation Come
The Apostle John wrote to believers who were facing cultural pushback, persecution, and spiritual confusion. False teachers had infiltrated their community, sowing discord and doubt. These believers needed encouragement and reassurance - just as many of us do today.
There are two types of people reading this: those who currently need reassurance, and those who will need it in the future. If you've accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, if you're following Him because you love Him - you're in a good place. You're exactly where you need to be.
How Do We Handle When Our Hearts Condemn Us?
In 1 John 3:19-20, we read: "By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him. For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and he knows everything."
There will be moments when feelings make you question everything. While there is healthy conviction from the Holy Spirit and healthy introspection where we ask God to search our hearts, there's also the opposite. The accuser will come to make you question your relationship with God, your eternal destiny, and your beliefs.
Distinguishing Between Shame and Regret
There's a critical difference between shame and regret:
Shame is what the enemy speaks over you
Regret is what God uses to lead you to repentance
2 Corinthians 7:10 talks about godly sorrow versus worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow (regret) leads to life when we say, "I wish I hadn't done that" because we want to honor God. Worldly sorrow (shame) is when the enemy says, "You're not good enough" or brings up past failures to condemn you.
God Is Greater Than Our Hearts
When the accuser attacks, we must remember two vital truths:
If your heart condemns you, the fact that you care is actually a good sign. It means your heart is open to the Lord and you want to honor Him.
God is greater than our hearts. It doesn't matter what you feel - it matters what God says. Jesus and His work on the cross are more powerful than any feeling of shame or question about your relationship with God.
Just as worship isn't based on feelings but on Jesus' worth, our salvation isn't based on our past or feelings but on Jesus and the work of the cross.
From Condemnation to Confidence to Commandment
John takes his readers on a journey:
First, he addresses condemnation - when our hearts accuse us
Then he moves to confidence - "if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God" (v.21)
Finally, he reminds them of the commandment - "that we believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another" (v.23)
We cannot be stuck in shame or condemnation. We must move to confidence in God and His work - not confidence in ourselves. This empowers us to follow the commandment to believe in Jesus and love others.
Abiding in Christ: The Key to Assurance
"Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us by the Spirit whom He has given us." (v.24)
John introduces the concept of mutual indwelling - Christ in the believer and the believer in Christ through the Holy Spirit. This is the same concept Jesus taught in John 15 with the vine and branches metaphor.
When there is fruit of love and obedience in your life, you can rest assured that you are His, that He abides in you, and you in Him.
How Do We Stay Connected to the Vine?
If you're trying to live the Christian life without an active relationship with Jesus, you won't produce fruit. To stay connected to the vine:
Encourage yourself in the Lord (like David did in 1 Samuel 30:6)
Read your Bible consistently
Steward your relationship through prayer
Worship Him regularly
Find encouragement in community
We need each other to pray for one another
We need each other's encouragement
Life Application
Remember these two powerful truths:
God is worthy regardless of what you feel
God is stronger than what you feel
This week, when doubts or condemnation arise, practice these steps:
Identify whether you're experiencing godly conviction or the enemy's condemnation
Remind yourself that God is greater than your heart
Move from condemnation to confidence by focusing on Christ's work, not your feelings
Connect to the vine through Scripture, prayer, and worship
Reach out to a fellow believer for encouragement
Ask yourself:
Am I living in condemnation or confidence?
How am I staying connected to the vine daily?
When my heart condemns me, do I remember that God is greater?
Am I fulfilling the commandment to believe in Jesus and love others?
God's love and acceptance of you isn't based on your performance but on Christ's finished work. Walk in that confidence today.
