8 Keys to Break Free - No Condemnation in Christ

Are you tired of carrying the weight of guilt, shame, and self-condemnation?

Imagine being swept away by a raging river, powerless against its current – that's what living under condemnation feels like. But what if there was a way to break free? This blog post offers a lifeline of hope, revealing the liberating truth found in Jesus Christ.

Discover how to silence the accusing voices, both external and internal, and embrace the freedom that's rightfully yours. Whether you're struggling with past mistakes or battling daily negative thoughts, these 8 practical keys will guide you toward a life free from condemnation through Jesus Christ.

Get ready to transform your thought life, deepen your relationship with God, and experience the joy of true spiritual freedom.

Don't let another day pass feeling trapped; your journey to liberation starts here!

What is Condemnation?

If you have ever faced floodwaters, you know the power behind water and the damage it can cause. It can take away everything in its path.

Now, imagine being caught in a raging river with no way to save yourself. You are in the situation because of your decisions or mistakes you have made. The overwhelming force of the water is similar to the condemnation we face because of our sins. This condemnation can be overwhelming because of the guilt and shame we carry. We are helpless in the raging river without the intervention of a rescuer. Also, we will ultimately face death because we are so overwhelmed by the power of the water. This is similar to the power of condemnation if we let it get out of hand.

Before Christ, we are declared sinners through our actions and living without Him in our hearts. We deserve punishment because we live without Him and the sins we carry.

Just like the need for a rescuer from the river, we need a savior in our lives. His name is Jesus Christ. He frees us from the bondages and chains we are bound to due to condemnation.

Remember this: condemnation is a self-imprisonment when, all along, we have been given the keys to freedom through Jesus Christ.

Lies Come Along with Condemnation

The devil is a liar. His demons continuously try to feed us with lies. 1 Peter 5:8 says that the devil goes about seeking whom he may devour. He does this by speaking lies to our minds. Ephesians 6:11 speaks of schemes and strategies of the enemy. Believe it or not, the enemy plots and plans our demise. We can either choose to take the bait and run with it or refuse to entertain what is spoken to us. We must choose to equip ourselves with God’s Word and believe what it says about us to put a stop to the lies.

On top of the lies from the enemy, we can also lie to ourselves. We can’t always blame everything on the devil. We must recognize we have a role to play as well. We can choose what we think about. By managing your thought life, you can eliminate the condemnation that we are facing.

Personally, I have to deal with this in my own life. At times, I can think of the craziest things about certain situations and find myself starting to believe them. This is when I must step back and reassure myself of God’s Word and what it says about me and my life.

It's Not Yours to Carry - No Condemnation in Christ

If you take the time to read Romans 7, you will see Apostle Paul before his life in Christ. He struggled with his sinful nature constantly. He said, “Oh, what a miserable person I am.” I know we all can feel that way at times due to what we do in our lives.

But as you continue to read, he says, “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” See, God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to free the world from sin and death. He doesn’t want us bound to the things of the devil. He wants us free in His Son. This is possible for all who choose to come to Christ Jesus. The Bible says that God wishes none to perish.

Don’t ever think for one minute that you must carry the condemnation you are facing. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” This very minute, I encourage you to give it to the Lord. Refuse to carry it anymore. The Bible also says to submit yourself to God and resist the devil, and he must flee. Don’t give a foothold any longer by carrying the weight of the condemnation anymore.

One final note: sometimes, your condemnation in your life results from you not forgiving yourself. I had to deal with this in my own life. I made a really horrible mistake in my life that not only affected me but others as well. I knew God forgave me, but as my pastor told me, you must forgive yourself. This was really tough to do. I was condemning myself over and over daily.

Today, I have forgiven myself. But I can say the enemy does try to bring it back up in my life. I have learned to put a stop to him right in his tracks. I don’t entertain the thoughts he tries to plant in my mind.

8 Practical Keys to Break Condemnation

1. Belong to Christ

To enjoy the blessings of God’s Word and its promises, we must belong to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. There are no other paths to God. The Bible is very clear about this. I have good news: it’s extremely simple to be a part of the Kingdom of God.

As the scriptures say, you must declare Jesus as your Lord. Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and YOU WILL BE SAVED! You will belong to Him and be made right before Him!

2. Confess Your Sins

Confessing our sins to the Lord is such a gift to have in our lives. Not only are we assured that we can boldly enter the throne room of our gracious God to receive mercy and grace in Hebrews 4:16, but the Bible says that we can confess our sins to Him, and He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us.

You could have made the worst mistake in your life. You can be filled with sin that you are ashamed of. You can be carrying the baggage of condemnation around for years. Others may be saying there is no hope for you.

But I say there is hope for you! That hope starts with you being real with the Father God and confessing your sins. As you do, I know you will be on the right foot to freedom in Christ Jesus!

3. Walk in the Spirit, Not in the Flesh

Our flesh wants to do evil things, which is the opposite of what the Spirit wants to do. The Holy Spirit will always seek to guide us away from sinful things that bring condemnation upon us. We must listen to the Holy Spirit, be obedient to Him, and follow the commands of God’s Word.

When we do this, we will find that we have peace with God. We don’t have to always be walking around thinking a lightning bolt will strike us because of the decisions we are making in our lives. Also, you won’t be carrying around the guilt and shame of condemnation.

The Bible shares many titles for the Holy Spirit, such as comforter, counselor, and advocate. But one of them is the “Spirit of Truth.” Remember, He will always lead you into all the truth for your life. Seek to follow Him all the days of your life. As you do, you will see for yourself that you will be free from condemnation.

4. Bible Study and Meditate on God's Word

Today, I think people tend to regurgitate what they read on a Google search or hear the preacher say versus them searching the scriptures for themselves. As you can see, the Bereans were eager to listen to Paul’s message, but they still read the scriptures to ensure that what he was saying was correct.

The Bible tells us to rightly divide the Word of Truth in 2 Timothy 2:15; as we do, we will not be ashamed and be approved by God. We are talking about taking steps to be free of condemnation. When we study the Word, we will know what it says about our particular situation. The Bible will guide us and help us to take the right steps.

5. Prayer and Cultivating a Relationship with God

To me, without God, everything seems impossible. Sure, I could live life without Him, but why? I have been serving Him for over 34 years. He is a part of everything within me. I wouldn’t want to even imagine life without Him.

I myself have had to deal with condemnation that mostly came from me. I was not willing to forgive myself for the mistakes I had made. I kept drawing to the Lord repeatedly during this time in my life. I cried out to Him for help and strength. He didn’t fail me! He was there every step of the way, walking me out of the trap that was laid out for me.

The Bible tells us to draw to God, and He will draw close to you. Also, in these times of prayer, He will reveal secrets to us. How powerful is this? If you spend quality time with Him, He will reveal things that are unknown to you or most of the people on the face of this earth.

During these times in your life, don’t hesitate to continuously pray wherever you are. As you do, you will find God right there with you. He will help you to be free from the bondage of condemnation.

6. Your Church and Community Support

This is a multi-layer key. It is not only your loved ones, like family members but your friends and others that God has placed in your life. I do want to stress that your pastor and other church leadership are critical and probably the most important.

Sadly, there has been a lot of blowback from people about the church. It’s even coming from fellow believers who profess Christ. The church is a spiritual hospital. Jesus established the church. I know there may be ones that don’t truly represent Christ as they should, but for everyone who doesn’t, countless other churches do.

I can tell you the church that I have been connected to for over 30 years is amazing. My pastor and the leadership in our church are such a blessing to my wife and I. We have been through situations that only they could speak into our lives.

Don’t run from people God has to speak to into your hearts; embrace them. You will find the healing that you need and to be set free!

7. Developing a Healthy Thought Life

Consider this: when bank tellers train for their position, they must know the difference between a real $100 bill and a forgery. They must know the truth. Once that truth is engrained within them, they will know immediately that someone handed them a counterfeit. This is the same for us when condemnation tries to raise its ugly head.

As I said earlier, condemnation is a lie from the enemy or of yourself. You must learn to walk in the truth of God’s Word. By doing so, when condemnation arises in your mind, you will know to stop it immediately. You can’t allow it to remain, or it will only lead to more bondage and greater darkness.

The Bible says we must renew our minds. I don’t care if you are a baby Christian or a long-time believer. This is a lifestyle we must have in our lives. We must be continually equipping ourselves with the Word of God.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says we must literally capture the rebellious thoughts. Make your mind line up with God’s Word. Don’t allow it to entertain thoughts that are not godly. By putting a stop to them, you will find yourself healthy mentally.

8. Plowing Through the Tough Times - Don’t Quit

When you have God behind you, you will not lose. We are winners through Christ Jesus. The Bible says we are more than conquerors! God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him.

The only thing we must remember is to keep pushing. The enemy doesn’t want you to win. He will kick, claw, scratch, and do anything for you to give up and throw in the towel. Don’t let him win.

There have been times when I wanted to quit, but I knew I couldn’t for many reasons. The devil tried to convince me that ending my life would be better. Because of my relationship with the Lord, I knew these were nothing but lies. I battled them through every vile suggestion he would bring me. Today, I can say I am the victor through Jesus Christ.

I promise you that you must keep doing what is good through God’s Word. Keep putting your hands on the plow. Don’t let condemnation rule in your life! It’s only a season you are in. Walk away from it. You will see the goodness of God and reap a harvest in your life.

The Results of Living Free of Condemnation

There is true freedom from condemnation through Jesus Christ. He came to set us free from the enemy of darkness.

Just this week, I came in contact with a homeless woman on the street. I tried to help her with food. She was lost in her mind, but she kept saying, I want to be free from this curse.

That is how I feel many people are struggling with condemnation. They want to be free from it, but for many reasons, they are not aware that through Jesus, they can be. It is as simple as embracing the truth of God’s Word, “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” This is the truth! You don’t have to walk in it!

When you start practicing God’s Word in your life, you will find the liberation it offers. There should be no heaviness as a Christian believer. Jesus said to take His yoke upon you, for His yoke is easy and light. He promises us rest in Him.

Tying it All Together

Freedom from condemnation isn't just a distant dream; it’s your right in Christ. As you've discovered, breaking free from the chains of guilt and shame is possible through God's love and grace. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. With the practical keys we've explored, from confessing your sins to developing a healthy thought life. You now have the tools to combat condemnation head-on.

Imagine waking up each day unburdened, full of hope, and confident in God's unwavering love for you. That life is within your reach. Don't let the enemy's lies hold you back any longer. Embrace the truth of Romans 8:1 and start living in the freedom Christ died to give you.

Your story of liberation is just beginning. Take that first step today. Walk in the Spirit, surround yourself with a supportive community, and keep your mind fixed on God's promises. The journey may not always be easy, but the destination (a life free from condemnation) is worth every step. You are loved, you are forgiven, and in Christ, you are truly free.

Now go and live in that freedom!

Devotional Questions

1. Think about a time when you felt weighed down by condemnation. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? In light of what you've read, how might you approach those feelings differently now?

2. Romans 8:1 says, "There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." How can you practically apply this truth to your daily life? What specific thoughts or behaviors might change if you genuinely embraced this promise?

3. Which of the 8 practical keys to break condemnation mentioned in the blog resonates with you the most? Why? How can you implement this key in your life this week to start experiencing more freedom from condemnation?

Scriptures About Condemnation

Romans 8:1 (NLT) — 1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

John 3:17–18 (NLT) — 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.

Romans 5:16 (NLT) — 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.

2 Corinthians 3:9 (NLT) — 9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

Romans 8:33–34 (NLT) — 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

John 5:24 (NLT) — 24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

1 John 3:20–21 (NLT) — 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can we do to renew our minds?

Renewing our minds is an essential journey for every believer. The Bible reminds us in Romans 12:2 not to conform to the patterns of this world but to transform by renewing our minds. To achieve this, we must engage with Scripture daily, allowing God's Word to wash over us and reshape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Just as a garden needs consistent care and nurturing, so do our minds require dedicated time with God to flourish spiritually.

Moreover, prayer acts as a powerful tool for renewal. When we talk to God, we invite Him to expose unhealthy thinking patterns and replace them with divine truths. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Filling our minds with these virtues fosters a deeper relationship with Christ, enabling us to reflect His character and combat negativity that can distract us from our purpose.

Additionally, surrounding ourselves with positive influences is critical for transformation. Healthy friendships and communities encourage accountability and support as we strive to renew our minds. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, emphasizing the importance of fellowship among believers. Engaging with others who are also focused on growth can invigorate our journey of renewal and keep us grounded in biblical principles.

2. What is the role of the church in spiritual growth?

The church acts as a nurturing garden for spiritual growth. Just as a plant needs sunlight, water, and care, individuals flourish under the support of their community. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another.” The gathering and fellowship provide essential strength that helps believers grow in faith.

Consequently, teaching and guidance play a vital role in this growth. In Ephesians 4:11-12, the Bible outlines how pastors, teachers, and leaders equip the saints for ministry work. This nurturing process is similar to how a coach trains athletes, pushing them to their potential. Educating one another not only elevates understanding but also fosters deeper connections that encourage spiritual maturity.

Outreach embodies the church’s role in spiritual growth. By extending love and kindness beyond its walls, the church reflects Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20 to go and make disciples of all nations. This mission encourages believers to step outside their comfort zones, fostering obedience and growth in their spiritual journey, much like a seed that grows when planted in rich soil.

3. How can you resist the devil?

Resisting the devil requires both strength and strategy, much like a soldier preparing for battle. James 4:7 encourages us to "submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This process involves first aligning ourselves with divine guidance, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead our actions and thoughts.

In addition, the mind plays a crucial role in our ability to resist temptation. Philippians 4:8 reminds us to focus on things that are true, noble, and right. When we fill our minds with positive teachings and godly principles, we create a fortress that is harder for negative influences to breach.

Significantly, prayer serves as a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:18 urges us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Through dedicated communication with God, we gain insight, courage, and protection against the schemes of the enemy.

Ultimately, continuous engagement with Scripture empowers us to stand firm. Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. Each verse provides us with the wisdom and bravery needed to confront challenges, equipping us to withstand adversities with confidence and grace.

Shawn Paul is an author and missionary who has been living and working in Central America for the past 10 years. He is passionate about living for Jesus Christ and inspiring others to do the same, which is the focus of his blog, where he shares his expertise in Christianity.

In addition to his missionary work, Shawn enjoys reading books, studying God's Word, growing plants and flowers, feeding birds, and keeping up with the latest technology.

As a writer, Shawn's unique perspective and passion for his faith shine through in his work. Shawn's goal for the future is to impact people around the world for Jesus through his writing and missionary work.