A few years ago, I had a dream (a nightmare, really) of a black area at the top of my forehead. I got closer to mirror to look at it, and realized it was a snake head--and the snake was alive, with it's body in my head!

YUCK!!! 

I was revolted,  and also angry that it was there. I was not even concerned with it biting me--I just grabbed the snake head and pulled it out of mine--the entire long, disgusting black body of the thing!

I slammed it on the floor, then STOMPED it to DEATH!

When I awakened, I was disturbed about the nightmare for three whole days! 

"LORD!" I cried to my Father. "Is this some deep, secret sin I have not repented of? What is this? Please show me! I repent right now!" I told Him.

The LORD in His mercy revealed that this nightmare did not represent some gross terrible sin of mine--thank goodness! The snake in my head represented sin-consciousness; that I was letting the enemy the devil make me feel guilty very often for things I had already repented of. 

That is one of the adversary's favorite tricks. But by our faith in the shed blood of Christ Jesus on the cross for us, we are transformed from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light and become God's children. However, just like a child who has a strong loving relationship with the parent will always be part of the family, that child will still have to be corrected and repent when he or she breaks the parent's rules. But any good parent will, as soon as the child receives the correction and apologizes in sincerity, forgive and not keep reminding the child of how they broke the rules!

But if the child cannot believe they are forgiven by the parent, and keeps feeling bad about breaking the rules and hurting their parent(s), they experience sin-consciousness and it can be a terrible torment and distraction from the enjoyment of the love and acceptance that the parent truly has for the child. It can skew the child's understanding that the parent wants only good for the child, and keeps loving the child even when the child messes up. 

Sin-consciousness can cause a lot of problems, including irrational fears. But the LORD says, in Psalm 34:4, that when we cry to Him, He delivers us from all our fears.

The worst part about being conscious of our sin is that it can hinder us from understanding the unconditional love of God. That's the main point of the enemy using it against us. But I John 1:9 says, "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]."

Thank the LORD for His mercy and patience with us, and that He chose through Jesus to forgive us of all sins for all time--if we just believe and choose to take it, amen! 

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.