Forgive yourself: what the Bible says

Sometimes the hardest thing to do after doing something wrong is to forgive ourselves. We tend to be our toughest critics, hitting ourselves long after others have forgiven us. Yes, repentance is important when we are wrong, but the Bible also reminds us that it is important to learn from our mistakes and move forward. The book has a lot to say about self-forgiveness.

God is the first to forgive us
Our God is a forgiving God. He is the first to forgive our sins and transgressions, and reminds us that we too must learn to forgive others. Learning to forgive others also means learning to forgive ourselves.

1 John 1: 9
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and only to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."

Matthew 6: 14-15
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. "

1 Peter 5: 7
"God takes care of you, so ask him about all your worries."

Colossians 3:13
"Be patient and forgive each other if any of you have a complaint against someone. Forgive when the Lord has forgiven you. "

Psalms 103: 10-11
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. As much as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. "

Romans 8: 1
"There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

If others can forgive us, we can forgive ourselves
Forgiveness is not just a great gift to give to others; it is also something that allows us to be free. We might think that self-forgiveness is only a favor for ourselves, but that forgiveness frees us to be better people through God.

Ephesians 4:32
“Let all the bitterness, anger, anger, clamor and slander be removed from you, along with all the malice. Be kind to one another, with a tender heart, forgiving each other, since God in Christ has forgiven you. "

Luke 17: 3-4
“Pay attention to yourself. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if you repent, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day and seven times a day he returns to you, saying, "I repent", you will forgive him. "

Matthew 6:12
"Forgive us for hurting while we forgive others."

Proverbs 19:11
"It is wise to be patient and show how you are forgiving others."

Luke 7:47
“I tell you, his sins - and there are many - have been forgiven, so he showed me a lot of love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. "

Isaiah 65:16
“All who invoke a blessing or take an oath will do it for God of truth. For I will put aside my anger and forget the evil of the previous days. "

Mark 11:25
"And whenever you are praying, if you have something against someone, forgive them, so that your heavenly Father may also forgive you for your transgressions."

Matthew 18:15
“If another believer sins against you, go in private and point out the crime. If the other person listens to it and confesses it, you have regained that person. "