Forgive Ourselves

The bible says that we need to forgive. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 says, “Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

So many people that I meet and minister with have one similar battle. They won’t/don’t forgive themselves. We need to understand that in order to receive God’s forgiveness we have to learn to forgive ourselves. Not because God withholds it so much as we don’t truly accept his forgiveness. Who are we to deny forgiveness for ourselves when Jesus died for us? If you think about it… It’s kind of prideful. By not forgiving ourselves we are rejecting God’s forgiveness or at the very least we are saying he is wrong to forgive.

What we fail to understand is that unforgiveness (even for ourselves) is an open door to the enemy. He uses unforgiveness as a way to keep us guilty, to keep us prisoners to our sin and guilt.

So then we are left with the question… why won’t I forgive myself? Why won’t I genuinely accept God’s forgiveness? That is a question each of us needs to go before the Lord and ask him to help us see. We need to repent of unforgiveness toward ourselves. We need to examine our own hearts and see why we individually refuse to forgive.

Remember this, when Jesus gave his life for us, he already knew what you were going to do. He already died for that sin. So repent, receive his forgiveness, forgive yourself and live the redemptive life that he died for. Strive to be like Jesus and forgive yourself when you fall short. Guilt is one of the enemy’s strongest weapons… he comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Jesus came to redeem, to bring abundant life. Let’s not let his sacrifice be in vain.