Forgive Myself?

You may have experienced God’s love and forgiveness, but here’s a question…
Do you forgive yourself?

It seems that many of us struggle with this act-of-the-heart which would release us from something we’ve done in our past and the self-guilt and shame that plagues us.

Several of us discussed this unforgiveness during a Bible study I’m attending, and I’ve been pondering it ever since, asking God what it means. Wondering why it is so difficult and what causes the block in our ability to forgive ourselves.

Bottom line: lies and idols

Those of you who struggle with forgiving yourself may not be aware that Satan, the accuser, torments you with lies. Lies saying that you are undeserving of God’s forgiveness and you should be ashamed, that you are a dirty sinner, causing harm to others or yourself, and you disappointed God with your actions.

He continues to hurl lies at you saying that even though scripture tells you God has forgiven your sin, and that He holds no condemnation and doesn’t even remember your sin, you cannot trust God’s Word or His faithfulness, or His truth.

So when I lay it out like that, do you see how ridiculous it is to hold onto this “thing” that stand in place of you living a full, free life of joy?

Because shame and unforgiveness are two very strong arrows the enemy uses to pierce our hearts and steal our joy.

Guilt and shame say that you will never really be “forgiven enough” for God’s unconditional gift of Jesus and His love.

And this is where idolatry comes in. You have now set your past above God. You have put your past on the altar, saying you can never let it go and receive God’s forgiveness fully.

When you withhold forgiveness from yourself you basically say to God, “Yeah, but!”

“I know you have forgiven me BUT God, do you really know what I did?”

“I’m giving all my life to You, God, BUT that one thing I keep hidden, that I keep holding onto because it’s just so bad, that thing I keep thinking about and remembering and allowing Satan to use against me.”

Do you see how you have made your sin more important than God? Set it above God and His plan and intention for you?

Because God is so good, He will help you to forgive yourself. He gives us forgiveness because it’s not a natural response of our hearts in any circumstance.

But you have to ask. You have to choose. You have to let it go!

If you do not, the enemy will use it to bring depression and discouragement to you. It’s a stronghold of the enemy that allows more devastation.

*Release that self-condemnation.

*Receive God’s full forgiveness and freedom.

*Tear down that altar and smash that idol!

*Take every thought captive. Be aware of Satan’s lies and accusations.

Satan is a slanderer, i.e. one who defames your character by telling lies about you. Do not believe them!

The Great Commandment tells us to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, our soul, and our mind. And to love others as much as we love ourselves. In fact these two commandments are written three times in the New Testament! When God says something three times in the Bible, He means, “Pay attention!”

How can we truly forgive someone if we haven’t forgiven ourselves? If we still harbor unforgiveness in our hearts toward ourselves, are we truly capable of releasing others?

How do you accomplish it while keeping a part of yourself locked away—that one thing you just can’t allow yourself to forgive, or allow God’s forgiveness to remove so that “it is no more”? Psalm 103:12

If God has forgiven you with the blood of His Son, (John 3:16), and says He no longer condemns you (John 3:17), do you see that you are setting yourself up as higher, more powerful, and more important than God because you know better than He does? You are calling our faithful God a liar.

And that, my dear friends, is the real thing you should be concerned about. He is a jealous God, and will not share the altar of your heart with anyone.

Believing lies from the enemy says that Satan’s truth is higher than God’s.

I know you do not want this!!

I think you just needed it spelled out for you to see truth. That’s why God put this on my heart to share with you. He loves you fully. Totally. Unconditionally.

He wants you to realize WHO you are in Him! Redeemed! Forgiven! Restored!

And walking in fullness of life!

If you needed this today, I pray that these words minister to your heart, that God’s sword of truth pierces to your very marrow and sets you free! (See Hebrews 4:12)

Here are some very important scriptures to “hide in your heart”.

The Great Commandment:

Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. Matt 22:36-40, Mark 12:28-31, and Luke 10:27

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows. John 10:10

Be always alert because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour.  1 Peter 5:7-9

Because of this you must wear all the armor that God provides so you are protected as you confront the slanderer for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious. Ephesians 6:12

For God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:17

As far as the east is from the west (an infinite amount) so far has He removed our transgressions (guilt) from us. Psalm 103:12

With God’s help we will fight like heroes and He will trample down our every foe. Psalm 60:12

 (God said) “All the strength and power you need flows from me!” And again I heard it clearly said, “All the love you need is found in me.” Psalm 62:11

This is an intense subject, and I prayed fervently as I wrote it. If God spoke to you, please let me know in the comments below.

May you be blessed and live fully in God’s freedom!

Passionista Mimi