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How to Forgive Yourself and Move On from a Christian Perspective

Video Overview

Is there something in your past that you just can’t forgive yourself for? Did you mess up so bad that you just can’t see how you could be redeemed? Watch this video and find out how you can finally forgive yourself!

Introduction 

When I was in college in Arkansas, our campus ministry had a program called Evangelism Explosion. We would receive training on how to lead others to Christ, and then go with a sponsor door to door talking with people in the community.

There was a man one night who refused to accept Christ because of what he had done. He agreed with us that Christ died for everyone, but he thought that he couldn’t be forgiven and even asked us to leave. I have never left a house more heartbroken than I did that night.

Why is it so hard to forgive myself?

While God offered you the forgiveness of sin through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ, Satan wants to keep you from doing God’s will. He does this by distracting, redirecting, or accusing people who show any interest in doing the Lord’s work.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come. because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown out: the one who accuses them before our God day and night.
Revelation 12:10

Why is it important to forgive myself?

You were made for a specific purpose. God has a plan for you and he wants to include you in his will. You cannot have a part in that will without forgiveness. So he provided a path to forgiveness through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. Once you receive that forgiveness, you are prepared to do His will.

What you are feeling is not self-condemnation, but shame and guilt for what you have done. Remember that this is from the accuser, Satan. If you have asked for forgiveness from God and turned away from your sin, then you are already forgiven, and should move on.

The apostle Paul also had a tough time forgiving himself for the past atrocities he committed against other Christians. He had to find a way to move past the guilt and shame. Eventually he came to accept that he had done these things, but that there was no condemnation from God for his past sins.

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What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin. Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Romans 7:24-8:2

How can I forgive myself and move on?

There is no Bible verse explicitly telling you to forgive yourself. This is likely because people during Biblical times struggled more with forgiving others.

Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
Colossians 3:12-13

Am I allowed to forgive myself?

Yes, and no. You don’t have the power to forgive yourself, only God can. Your sin was against God alone.

For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge.
Psalms 51:3-4

Understand that when you sin, you only sin against God, and not yourself. God’s forgiveness is all you need. You should let go of the shame and guilt Satan has put on you if God has forgiven you..

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32

What if I can’t forgive myself?

Realize that from the moment you ask forgiveness from God, you are forgiven. Any lingering shame or guilt is not from God, but Satan. You have to unlearn to hear Satan, and learn to listen to God. What does that look like? Take an inventory of yourself, but focus only on the positive things.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Finding Forgiveness

So, I pray you have found this article and video helpful! If you did, please leave me a comment below. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and may God bless you and keep you.

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