I’ve noticed throughout my lifetime that innocence has been given a negative connotation. Often people associate innocence with naivety, unintelligence, and a lack of maturity. Who would want to be considered innocent with that definition?
And to make things even more confusing, the Bible actually encourages us to be innocent. But the Bible also promotes wisdom, so isn’t there a contradiction here?
No, because the true definition of biblical innocence is not the same as our culture’s.
To me, part of the definition of innocent is that it’s the opposite of being guilty. That sounds overly simplified, but let me explain.
Imagine yourself in a courtroom. You’d rather be innocent than guilty, right? When we’re guilty, we are burdened, ashamed, and ridiculed. We are condemned. We are punished.
Hopefully you’ve never been prosecuted and brought to trial, but there are still many other examples of how guilt can ruin our lives.
Perhaps you made a mistake with your words that offended someone, and you feel terrible about it. Maybe you did something bigger, like causing a major inconvenience for someone, or hurting a relationship. Or maybe you feel guilty for not doing something God told you to do.
Close your eyes for a moment and clench your fists, as though you are holding onto that guilt. How does that make you feel? What do you feel guilty of? How long ago did this take place?
Now open your eyes, keeping your hands the way they are, and read this sentence aloud:
Jesus paid the price for my mistakes, and now I am free.
Repeat that sentence until you feel like you can open up your hands and release those burdens that have been weighing so heavily on your heart.
I have made many mistakes in my life that have affected the way I’ve seen myself, others, and even God. But God doesn’t want us to live in fear of making mistakes or burdened by our past sins. Instead, God wants us to be free to live abundant, fruitful lives through Him. When we finally let go of that guilt, we are innocent. We are no longer bothered by what has happened in the past and we fully accept ourselves as who God says we are.
To me, being innocent is allowing ourselves to live joyful lives and to see ourselves as the beloved children of God. We can understand the world and be wise while being free from our regrets.
He delivers even the one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.
Job 22:30
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
The Will to Wake Up 