Breaking the Bonds of Guilt

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32 NKJV)

There’s a curious twist in the lyrics of a beloved, ancient hymn—O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing. Charles Wesley penned this verse in 1739: 

“He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me.”

I’ve wondered what was going through Wesley’s mind when he commented on the power of cancelled sin. The moment we’re saved by the grace of Christ—when we repent and He pardons us for all our iniquities—we’re forgiven. We don’t have to ask Him again to save us. The debt we owed has been paid on the cross. Cancelled. Finished. 

Pastor Alistair Begg reassures us that forgiveness for our sin rests on nothing but the atoning blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19-22). God promises He won’t remember our sins (Hebrews 10:17) nor will He keep a record of them (Isaiah 43:25).

“In other words,” Begg says, “if we try to go back to God with issues that He has already dealt with, we’ll find Him saying, in effect, My dear child, I have no recollection of what you’re talking about. I promised not to bring that up ever again—and so neither should you.”¹

So, why does Wesley write about Jesus breaking the power of forgiven sin? If it’s a cancelled debt, how can it have power over me any longer?

I think the answer is this—Satan attempts to defeat Christ’s crowning work by sending slings and arrows of recurring guilt.

The devil’s intent is to turn my heart away from Jesus by reminding me of my failures, from petty faults all the way up to capital offenses. Satan wants me to wallow in shame and self-reproach. He hints that Jesus isn’t powerful enough to forgive me…or that His forgiveness isn’t permanent…or that He has no desire to forgive. 

It’s a classic ploy Wesley might have endured himself some 300 years ago. When Satan dredges up old sins, the goal is to hinder us so we won’t move forward in service for Jesus. Ongoing guilt is the rope he uses to bind our hands and hearts.

How about you? Are you imprisoned in bondage for sins you committed long ago or even recently? Do you believe you weren’t forgiven when you confessed them to Christ? 

Wesley found the truth in Scripture—that Jesus not only forgives but also rips apart the powerful cords of remorse that shackle us. Our Lord has set us free from debilitating guilt trips. We can have the joy of His grace because He has lifted that worry off our shoulders. 

Friend, if you’re afflicted by recurring shame from Satan’s rib-jabbing reminders, take heart. Confess your sin to Jesus, and leave it at His cross. If you’ve already confessed, remind yourself that Jesus has tossed your past to the bottom of the ocean—it no longer hangs over your head. 

Recognize that the Holy Spirit, the true source of conviction for our sins, is ready to comfort you and keep you off the slippery slopes. Trust Jesus as your only source of power to defeat the devil—give Him all the glory. Rejoice with singing and jubilation in your freedom! 

Wesley must have been blessed with Christ’s liberating power because he went on to write more than 6,000 more songs of praise, including Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. His hymns continue to ring out with wild abandon for the freedom he received in giving his heart to Jesus. I imagine he is singing in heaven for his great Redeemer—joined by thousands of other tongues in praise!

Jesus, my Redeemer, my heart is full of wonder and praise at the glorious freedom You’ve given me. You have taken me from bondage into everlasting life. Your love and grace are overwhelming! Please defend me from the slings and arrows of my accuser, from his attacks to keep me from serving You. I lift my song of joy to You, wishing I had a thousand tongues to sing Your praise! In Your powerful name, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2025 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #athouandtongues #charleswesley #hymn #alistairbegg #redemption #savinggrace #salvation

¹Alistair Begg, Truth for Life. The Good Book Company, 2021, p. 324 (November 12 devotion).