A sense of guilt

27 May 2015

A true sense of guilt changes you – it changes things. It makes you undo the wrong you did. It transforms you. Otherwise, it’s not real guilt – it’s just discomfort, or an unpleasant feeling that you’ve done something which wouldn’t be approved of, by others. But this is not the same as a true feeling of guilt, which springs out from inside irrespective of outside influences – like hunger, or deep organic pain. If it’s not deep enough to make you change things, it’s not a true sense of guilt.

That must be why confession plays such a big role in Christian practices – because, if it is genuine (and accompanied by remorse), it is guaranteed to change you – thereby helping you become a better person, irrespective of its consequences (forgiveness, punishment or reward).