New Attitude of Thanksgiving

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Guilt is a Powerful deterrent of giving God Thanks.

The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) (Guilt)

Guilt for the biblical writers, guilt is not primarily an inward feeling of remorse or a bad conscience, but rather a situation that has arisen because of sin committed against God or one’s neighbor; a clear presupposition is that human beings are responsible and accountable for their actions, thoughts, and attitudes. The latter notion of responsibility is so great that people can be guilty without even being aware that they have done anything wrong (e.g., Lev. 5:17–19).

Leviticus 5:17–19 ESV

17 “If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity. 18 He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven. 19 It is a guilt offering; he has indeed incurred guilt before the Lord.”

Guilt makes us Afraid and Ashamed not Thankful

Genesis 3:8–10 KJV 1900

8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Guilt comes from something we know we have done wrong against God

Psalm 51:3–4 KJV 1900

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done this evil in thy sight: That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.

Guilt is a deterrent to thanksgiving but God is greater then any emotion

1 John 3:19–20 NIV

19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

Correct standing with God will lead to Thankfulness to God

1 John 1:9 KJV 1900

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Guilt can be replaced with Thanksgiving after we are cleansed

Psalm 51:10–12 KJV 1900

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.

With a restored status with God an Attitude of Thanksgiving will follow

Psalm 51:14–17 KJV 1900

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

God deserves to be thanked and praised Always and in All things

Psalm 34:1–3 KJV 1900

1 I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt his name together.

Please Help Me With My Attitude of Thanksgiving