What does the Bible say about forgiving self?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that believers need not remain imprisoned by guilt, because God freely forgives those who repent and trust in Christ, calling them to receive His mercy with humble faith. In 1 John 1:9, God promises to forgive and cleanse those who confess their sins, and Psalm 103:12 declares that He removes our sins far from us. Though Scripture does not command a modern practice of “forgiving yourself,” it does direct troubled consciences to God’s greater verdict: 1 John 3:19-20 says God is greater than our hearts. Forgetting what lies behind, as Philippians 3:13 urges, means pressing on in grateful obedience, not denying sin. Having received mercy, Christians also forgive others, following Ephesians 4:32 and Mark 11:25.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 John 3:19-20
[19] And by this we know that we are of the truth, and persuade our hearts before him, [20] because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
- Philippians 3:13
Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
- 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Psalms 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, So far has he removed our transgressions from us.
- Luke 6:37
Don't judge, And you won't be judged. Don't condemn, And you won't be condemned. Set free, And you will be set free.
- Mark 11:25
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.
- Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together," says Yahweh: "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- Matthew 6:14-15
[14] "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
[1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.
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