The Heart Experiences Guilt and Conviction of Sin

When Peter preached on Pentecost, people 'were cut to the heart" (Acts 2:37). When David cut off part of Saul's robe in the cave, 1 Samuel 24:5 says his "heart smote him." David experienced conviction again when he counted the fighting men (2 Sam 24:10). In Psalm 51, after he sinned with Bathsheba, David prayed to God, "Create in me a pure heart" (v10) and cried, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart" (v17).

The Holy Spirit convicts the hearts of people. Guilt's purpose is to point out sin in our lives and motivate us to deal with it. Sometimes you can just look at a child and see that he's guilty. He knows it. He can feel it. Guilt affects kids' hearts and robs them of peace.

A good correction routine gives children a chance to gain a clean slate by admitting wrong and asking forgiveness. Often, those steps do the necessary work of cleaning up the heart. After all, God says in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Six year old Peter told his mom, "I have to tell you something. Last week I broke the glass ornament off your dresser; then I hid it in my room. Here it is. I'm sorry." Peter's mom valued the ornament but loved her son even more. "Your heart was bothering you all week, wasn't it? You did the right thing by coming and telling me about it. I'll miss my ornament, but your heart is more important than anything like this. I'm glad you decided to make it right. Come here and give me a hug. I forgive you."

Guilt is experienced in the heart, motivating children to cover up wrongdoing, blame others, or justify it, or confess and make things right. As you help your children process their offenses, you can do some significant heart work. A clear and strong conscience becomes a valuable ally as children maneuver through life's challenges.