We all have them—those little things we enjoy but feel slightly bad about. Maybe it’s binge-watching reality TV, stress-eating sweets, scrolling endlessly through social media, or listening to songs you wouldn’t want anyone at church to know are on your playlist. They’re known as guilty pleasures, and while they may seem harmless on the surface, they often come with a side of internal conflict.
But what if I told you guilty pleasures aren’t the real issue—how you relate to them is?
In this post, we’re going to talk about guilty pleasures, why they matter more than we think, and how to manage them in a healthy, shame-free way that helps you grow—not spiral. We’ll also unpack how faith plays a role in navigating these hidden cravings without turning everything into a guilt trip. Sound good? Let’s go.
What Are Guilty Pleasures, Really?
Guilty pleasures are things we enjoy but feel we shouldn’t—usually because of how society, culture, religion, or our inner critic labels them. They’re often associated with a lack of discipline, poor judgment, or even sin. But not every guilty pleasure is immoral. Some are just indulgent. The key is understanding the “why” behind the pleasure and the guilt.
Expert Insight:
Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor and bestselling author, says,
“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.”
When we label something as a guilty pleasure and bury it under shame, we aren’t just avoiding accountability—we’re cutting off the opportunity for real growth.
Biblical Truth: You’re Not Meant to Live in Shame
Let’s be clear: God never intended for us to live bound by shame. There’s a difference between conviction, which calls us higher, and condemnation, which drags us lower.
Romans 8:1 (NIV) reminds us:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Feeling bad about something you’ve done doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. It means you’re self-aware. And that’s the first step toward growth.
Why We Feel Guilty in the First Place
Guilt often shows up when there’s a conflict between your behavior and your core values. You know who you want to be, but your actions don’t always match up. And instead of addressing it head-on, you either hide it, justify it, or beat yourself up for it.
Here are some common reasons guilty pleasures turn toxic:
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You use them to numb pain.
Instead of dealing with stress or heartbreak, you binge-watch, overeat, or scroll aimlessly. -
You’re hiding them from others.
Anything that lives in the dark tends to grow in power. What you’re afraid to admit often controls you the most. -
You’ve made your pleasure your identity.
When something becomes a source of identity rather than just enjoyment, it can distort your self-perception. -
You were taught to feel shame about pleasure.
Especially in faith communities, many people are conditioned to believe that enjoying anything “too much” is sinful.
What Makes a Guilty Pleasure Unhealthy?
Not all guilty pleasures are toxic. Enjoying chocolate, taking a long bath, or even watching a romantic comedy isn’t inherently harmful. But here’s when a guilty pleasure becomes an issue:
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You depend on it to feel okay.
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You lie or hide it from others.
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It affects your productivity, mood, or relationships.
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It contradicts your values or sabotages your goals.
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It leads you to ignore deeper emotional needs.
Dr. Caroline Leaf, a cognitive neuroscientist and Christian author, explains:
“You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. Mindfulness and self-awareness are the keys to healthy change.”
How to Handle Guilty Pleasures Without Shame
Now that we’ve exposed what guilty pleasures really are, let’s talk about how to address them in a way that leads to health—not hiding.
1. Bring It Into the Light
What you hide has power over you. What you confess—first to yourself, then to God—loses that power.
1 John 1:9 (ESV) says:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This doesn’t mean every guilty pleasure is a sin. But transparency is still key. Start with honest self-reflection. Ask yourself:
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Why do I turn to this?
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What am I avoiding?
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How does it make me feel after?
2. Replace Guilt with Curiosity
Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” try asking, “What is this trying to teach me?”
Let’s say you binge-watch shows when you feel overwhelmed. Instead of calling yourself lazy, ask:
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Am I burned out?
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Do I need rest?
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Am I running from something?
Curiosity leads to insight. Guilt leads to paralysis.
3. Set Loving Boundaries (Not Harsh Restrictions)
You don’t need to ban every indulgence to be healthy. You just need to place it in the right container.
For example:
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Instead of cutting sugar cold turkey, set a limit you can live with.
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If social media is your escape, schedule a 15-minute scroll break instead of losing hours to it.
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If you love romance novels, read one for fun, then return to your growth goals.
Balance is maturity.
4. Find Healthy Substitutes
Sometimes we label something a guilty pleasure because we’re trying to meet a real need in a counterfeit way. Find alternatives that still nourish that desire without sabotaging your well-being.
Want comfort?
→ Try journaling, praying, or connecting with a trusted friend.
Need fun?
→ Dance in your living room, go for a drive, or laugh with a feel-good podcast.
Need intimacy or connection?
→ Build real relationships, open up to God, or seek mentorship.
5. Stop Measuring Yourself By What You Hide
Your struggles do not define you. The enemy wants to use your habits to shame you into silence. But healing begins with owning your truth.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) says:
“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress.
Real Talk: Not Everything You Enjoy Needs to Be “Fixed”
It’s okay to enjoy things just because you enjoy them. The goal isn’t to become so “holy” that you stop being human. The goal is to align your heart and habits with purpose.
Dr. Anita Phillips, trauma therapist and faith leader, says:
“Your feelings are not sin. They are signals. Your job is to interpret them, not ignore them.”
Some guilty pleasures are really just misunderstood signals. Don’t shut them down—get curious.
Practical Takeaways You Can Start Today
Here are some real-world steps to handle guilty pleasures in a healthier way:
✅ 1. Do a Guilt Audit
Write down your top 3 guilty pleasures. Ask:
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Why do I enjoy this?
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Do I feel ashamed of it? Why?
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Is it helping or hurting my growth?
✅ 2. Create a Freedom Framework
Instead of setting strict rules, create grace-based boundaries:
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“I’ll enjoy this once a week instead of daily.”
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“I can do this for 30 minutes, then move on to something productive.”
✅ 3. Incorporate Accountability
Talk to someone you trust—a mentor, friend, or coach. Bringing someone into your growth journey helps you stay aligned without feeling judged.
✅ 4. Feed Your Spirit
Balance your indulgences with intentional growth. For every hour of entertainment, add 10 minutes of Scripture, prayer, or journaling.
✅ 5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Each time you choose self-awareness over shame, you’re growing. Celebrate that.
Final Thoughts: Grace Is Greater Than Guilt
The truth is, we all have things we enjoy that don’t always reflect our best selves. That doesn’t make us broken—it makes us human. The real power comes when we stop hiding, stop shaming, and start growing.
So whether your guilty pleasure is a double-chocolate brownie at midnight, an emotional rom-com, or scrolling TikTok longer than you should—breathe. You’re not alone. You’re not broken. You’re becoming.
Growth isn’t about eliminating every indulgence. It’s about aligning your life with your highest purpose—and giving yourself the grace to get there one honest step at a time.
