Moving On: Bible Verses about Forgiveness

It is sometimes easier to forgive others than ourselves. However, forgiveness is an action that frees you from guilt and shame. You cannot change the past, but you can move on from regrets and mistakes.

The Bible commands us to forgive others; by doing so, we are mirroring God’s love for us and Jesus’ example of the ultimate sacrifice and forgiveness for the world’s sins. As a child of God, made in His likeness and image, we must extend that grace and mercy to ourselves.

One way to get started on the path is to saturate yourself in the Word of the Lord, reading and memorizing Bible verses about forgiveness.

Why you need to extend forgiveness to yourself

Unforgiveness will find a way into other areas of your life. It can manifest in negative thoughts and emotions. You may isolate yourself from others, avoid specific destinations or people, and be less likely to take a risk on an opportunity. Shame and guilt are often rooted in fear – the fear of rejection, the fear of man, the fear of shame, the fear of death.

If we do not face these fears and hand them over to God, they will take over our lives. By turning to God in tears and sorrow, He can begin the healing process in you. Forgiving yourself is scary. It means looking at your faults and exposing them for the sins that they are. It also means giving God a chance to wash you down with His cleansing and refreshing water and starting new.

Forgiving yourself may mean talking to God throughout the day to give you strength as you push through. It may mean singing praise and worship music during your commute to fill your spirit with God’s spirit. It might mean you let go of offense from others and self and live for Him.

Bible verses about forgiveness

The first step in forgiveness is confessing your mistakes and sins to God with a genuine heart. God knows your heart and whether you are sorry and grieving over what you have done. We cannot trick God. He formed us in the womb. Laying your soul bare before Him cleanses you emotionally and mentally.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. – Jeremiah 1:5, NIV

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV

Allow God to wash you clean as you bare your soul to him. The consequences of your actions may still be a reality, but your faith in God becomes stronger. Turning from sin (repentance) and following Christ must happen before you can begin the process of forgiveness.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9, NIV

But confession takes more than just asking God silently or reading Bible verses about forgiveness; it also means turning to Him and publicly following Him.

Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. – Matthew 10:32-33, NIV

Allow your words and actions to acknowledge Christ as your Savior publicly. The act of confessing, turning away from sin, and praising God for His love and mercy is like receiving the rare and miraculous antidote to some terrible poison. That is what sin is; it is a poison that seeps into your soul and mind and wreaks havoc on your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Unforgiveness works much the same way. Instead of filling your spirit with joy and love, unforgiveness breeds shame, guilt, regret, bitterness, anger, and fear. These traits grow and eventually make you sick. If you have wronged another person, confess to God first and then consider asking for forgiveness from the other person if possible.

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. – James 5:16, NIV

Hiding your mistakes and sin from God will make it much harder for you. God loves you and wants you to live for Him, follow your calling, and fulfill your purpose. Why do we struggle to forgive ourselves if God has already forgiven us?

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. – Psalm 32:5, NIV

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. – Proverbs 28:13, NIV

Perhaps you are having trouble forgiving yourself because you do not believe God has fully forgiven you. It is hard to imagine that God can forgive us for everything we have done and see us as blameless. Yet, His Word says that He does just that.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. – Colossians 1:21-23, NIV

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. – Hebrews 10:22, NIV

If you study Bible verses about forgiveness, you will see that God will forgive a contrite heart for any sin, even the big, ugly ones.

Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. – Acts 13:39, NIV

If God uses His love to forgive us, should we not do the same and forgive ourselves? Satan wants nothing more than to stop you, paralyze you, and keep you from doing the things God wants you to do. You keep yourself from completing your assignment by staying stuck in your past.

But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. – Psalm 19:12-13, NIV

As you continue studying Bible verses about forgiveness, ask yourself why you are having trouble moving forward. Lean into God as you dig deeper into your faith and His love.

When you are struggling to move on

Do you feel that because of your past mistakes, you are not worthy of God’s love and forgiveness, let alone your own forgiveness? If you struggle to forgive yourself and move on, a trained counselor can help lead you in the work of the heart and mind, reframing your thoughts and emotions while helping you deepen your relationship with God.

Contact our offices today and we can schedule an appointment for you with a Christian counselor.