Why Do I Still Feel Condemned?

Romans 8:1 says that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. But does this refer to all condemnation (condemnation of self or of others) or just the condemnation of God? If His Word says that there is therefore now no condemnation, why do I sometimes feel condemned?

Looking at the definition of “condemnation” may bring some clarity. According to Dictionary.com, to “condemn” can mean either to “express complete disapproval of” or to “sentence to a particular punishment, especially death.”

Psalm 51:4 reads, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” God is the only one who could condemn us (sentence us to death), yet it is He who has freed us “from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). Not only that, but we have been accepted (Rom. 15:7). We are not condemned in any sense of the word. We may be condemned by man (disapproved of), but it is our standing with God that matters.

We are to live at peace with everyone as far as it depends on us (Rom. 12:18), but we are not ultimately responsible for (and cannot be discouraged by) those who disapprove of our doing what is right.

Self-condemnation stems from skewed beliefs, and God made provision even for this (1 Jn. 3:20). Our self-condemning attitudes have no effect on our standing with God. In the words of Charles Spurgeon, “Sometimes our heart condemns us, but, in doing so, it gives a wrong verdict, and then we have the satisfaction of being able to take the case into a higher court, for ‘God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.’” We are free from sin and the condemnation of God, who has also given us victory over any condemning thoughts.

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is He that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us (Rom. 8:33-34). We need not listen to others’ condemnation for doing right or condemn ourselves. The Judge has spoken.