What We Start Satan Will Continue
Letting go of past sins is something I have struggled with and continue to struggle with; and I know other people who have struggled with this also. But if we don’t let go, we can’t move forward. We can begin to dwell on our past sins. We can begin to believe that there is no way God can or could love us or forgive us. After all, look at what we’ve done. Satan loves it when we do this to ourselves. We’re helping him out because we’re putting up barriers between ourselves and God. What we start, Satan will continue.
Moving Past Our Sins
I am my worst critic. Long after I have asked for and received forgiveness from God and from someone I hurt, I can still be punishing myself. Sometimes when this happens all I can do is say Jesus’ name over and over again. But the more I say the name of Jesus, the brighter it gets and the stronger I get. Jesus is my warrior and my protector. When I call on His name, the battle is over. Satan loses.
We have to move past our past sins. We can’t let them hinder our walk with God. God knows our heart. When we truly ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven. God loves us and when we cling to Him we are able to stand against the devil.
Bible Verses
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4 KJV)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 KJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11 KJV)
Sins – Remembering Without Torturing
I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve gone broken to God because I’ve sinned. Ashamed, broken and crying asking for forgiveness because of something I’ve said or done or didn’t do or because of my attitude.
What I have done stays in my mind. It tortures me long after the person I sinned against has forgiven me, long after I have sought and received forgiveness from God. But I pray I never forget the sin. Because I need the memory; I need to remember the sin, but I need to be able to remember without torturing myself. It’s impossible to do battle against something you have forgotten about. And every time I let my guard down, I do it again. The best way is to keep my list of sins constantly in my prayers, asking God’s help.
Forgiveness Is A Choice And A Gift
I know how hard it can be sometimes to forgive someone. Forgiveness, from sin and the hurt caused or done to another person, isn’t deserved. Forgiveness is a choice. The forgiveness I receive is a gift. A gift from God and a gift from the person I hurt.
Bible Verses
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:5)
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:9-10)
The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17)
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. (Psalm 86:5)
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)
Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)