We are told to forgive others because we are forgiven but regarding ourselves, we are instructed to take our sins directly to God and ask for His forgiveness, trusting Him as our Savior and Lord.

The Bible, in fact, never speaks of forgiving ourselves. But this isn’t ultimately helpful, because forgiving ourselves relies on our changing emotions. Forgiving ourselves is a controversial point, sometimes shared by well-meaning counselors in order to help people dispense of their regrets. Some say they can’t seem to “forgive themselves ” but they misunderstand the extent of God’s forgiveness.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ Elijah O'Donnell In an odd and twisted way, they relive and delight in or savor lingering over their sin. They may claim they can’t help themselves. Unfortunately, sometimes people don’t even have worldly regret! They hold onto their past because they don’t want to forget sins they may have once enjoyed. A good example of this is the rich man who was in a place of torment, but there was no evidence of godly regret. There’s a big difference between regretting consequences and having genuine moral remorse for sin. Worldly regret goes on and on, pressing our conscience with guilt and ultimately affecting other areas of life. Because there is no repentance toward God or change involved, the effects or consequences of our sinful choices run their natural course.

On the other hand, worldly regret or sorrow brings destruction. Paul says, because of Christ’s work in us, we are to rejoice in God’s provision, forget the forgiven past and press on to what lies ahead. Godly regret, then, fulfills God’s design for sorrow over sin, and then there’s no longer a need to linger in it.

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