Forgiving Yourself

Forgiving Yourself

1. Don’t put your past on instant replay

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV) See also Romans 12:1-2

Paul knows how to move on. He doesn’t put his past on instant replay, instead when he speaks of his past he uses it for the glory of God. He’s given his past as a Christian persecutor completely over to God and God has used it for His glory. It’s the same for us. Don’t allow your past to run free in your mind. Give it completely to God to use. It can be a testimony of His mercy, His power, and His transformation of you.

2. Why can’t I forgive myself?

When we feel guilty over something we have done which we’ve already asked forgiveness for there is an element of fear at work. God has forgiven us but we feel fear along with a need to punish ourselves. We feel a need within to suffer and make restitution.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love,” (1 John 4:18 NIV).

1. The person who lives in fear is already punished by this fear and is truly living in torment.
2. The person is in fear of being punished by God.
3. The person in fear is always punishing himself or herself.
4. The person who lives in fear may want to punish others.[1]

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control,” (2 Tim 1:7 ESV).

Satan wants you to live in fear. He wants to hold you back. Fear is not from God.

3. Condemnation vs. Conviction

When we feel guilt over past sins, and condemn ourselves, we are listening to the devil. The Bible says, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1 NIV).

Q: How do I know if it’s condemnation or the Holy Spirit is convicting me?

A: Condemnation paralyzes you with fear. But conviction brings repentance, restoration and hope.

Assurance of our hearts: 1 John 3:19-24

4. Remember the Cross

Colossians 1:15-23   Hebrews 9:11-14   Revelation 1:4-6   Ephesians 1:3-10

God punished Jesus for your sin. There is no need to punish yourself any longer. God’s wrath has already been poured out. Stop living in guilt and shame. When we try to atone for our sins by punishing ourselves we are not submitting to Christ’s work on the cross. This is not living in freedom. God has set you completely free. Have you submitted completely to the work of the cross?

Corrie ten Boom used to say that a “No Trespassing” sign has been posted over our past sins that are under the blood of Jesus. Don’t go into forbidden territory![2]

10 Reasons Why We Should Totally Forgive Ourselves[3]

1. It is precisely what God wants you to do.
2. Satan does not want you to forgive yourself.
3. You will have inner peace and freedom from the bondage of guilt.
4. The degree to which you forgive yourself may directly relate to your usefulness.
5. Totally forgiving yourself will help you love people more.
6. People will like you more when you have forgiven yourself.
7. It will enable you to fulfill all God has in mind for you and thus keep you from being paralyzed by the past.
8. Your own physical health could be at stake.
9. Your mental and emotional health could be at stake.
10. You should forgive yourself because your spiritual state is at stake.