Have you ever faced the difficulty of moving on from a past mistake that keeps haunting you? If so, then you know how condemnation kills the joy that the Lord gives you.

Whether we like to admit it or not, we humans are prone to committing mistakes every now and then. The Bible clearly states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Because of this, no man can ever live perfectly without mistake.

Although mistakes are normal, the haunting condemnation that comes after committing sin easily robs us of our God-given joy. And without this joy, we will never live the way God wants us to live. After all, "the joy of the Lord is [our] strength" (see Nehemiah 8:10).

Are you having difficulty overcoming the hangover of past mistakes? Here are three things that you can do to help you regain your joy in the Lord.

1) Repent of your sin

Have you already repented of the sin that you committed? If not, then repent of it. Unconfessed sin cannot be forgiven, and when sin remains unconfessed before the Lord, you can surely expect condemnation to knock at your door.

Worried that God will not forgive your sin? Don't. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Admit your sins to the Lord who will graciously forgive you and help you be free from unrighteousness.

2) Let go of past mistakes


Most of us would probably want to turn back time so that we can undo the things we have done. However, we can't. We can only let go of them.

Past mistakes are like zombies that come to feed on you whenever they can. Satan's work is to "steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10a) -- he will keep reminding you of the wrong things that you've done so that he can steal your joy, kill your enthusiasm for God, and destroy your future.

Remember that if you've already repented of that mistake and asked for the Lord's forgiveness, He will never charge it against you. When God forgives your sin, He throws them into the deepest part of the sea (see Micah 7:19), far too deep for you to reach. He also wants you to "forget the former things" (Isaiah 43:18) so that you can see the new things that He is doing in your life.

3) Enjoy the freedom that Christ has bought for you


Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:1 that "[i]t is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Learn from past mistakes but rejoice that you can be forgiven of them. And importantly, enjoy the freedom that comes from the truth that you have been forgiven. Heaven is rejoicing when one sinner repents, so don't spend another day torturing yourself about something Jesus has already released you from.

Why live in the past

Ok

past ke. now is the best moment the future is only a wish.

who takes past seriously these days?

Well said

The best thing to do is to rebuke the thought anytime it springs up

Sometimes we feel a misfortune is as a result of one sin/mistake in the past, maybe God has not forgiven. Sometimes it's hard to feel complete redemption.

The only way out is to understand that the jewish boy isn't no christ,just a myth.

Thank You Jesus! In You I Am Justified! Thank You LORD! http://www.bummyla.com

Op, thanks. This is quite insightful and deep.
More GRACE.
May you not fail , fall or falter IJN.

True...nice write up op

True...nice write up oph

I am living and basking on the sphere of Grace. No more regrets

Nice piece..

Lord Jesus thank you for saving us
We pray that you continue to give us the sustaining grace even as we wait for your returnreturn

Our lord almighty is always on the thrown to guide & save us,..his mercy is forever

Ok

Mistake?....think you mean sin. I guess some sins like murder would always haunt the person.... regardless of what his mouth says...that he is a new man..born again... free from past transgressions ..whatever. The Nollywood movie.Total War....starring Omotola Jalade and Francis Duru is a very interesting and captivating movie that explores this topic.

AngelAhnie:
Ok

hey how re u?? what church do u attend?

NobleAky:
The best thing to do is to rebuke the thought anytime it springs up

hw do u get ur mind off sex.

laikas:

hw do u get ur mind off sex.

just make a Decision over it and chose not to remember it again after going 4confession

May the Lord Jesus bless u Op for inciting this interesting topic and not some silly topics that undermine ones spiritual growth.

Actually, some past mistakes can be a hinderance to forge ahead as a good christian. For instance, a forged credentials that have earned a career. Murder of an innocent soul. Stolen items that need restitution etc. Untill a radically corrective measure is made, u may not progressively perform as a good christian

Nice one

Inspiring

Well done OP.

But sometimes, Restitution is also necessary to move on.

ifenes:
The only way out is to understand that the jewish boy isn't no christ,just a myth.

.



Jesus Loves U.



He loves U so so much, that He died on the cross for U

Op thank you for this wonderful spiritual nourishment

A debtor may not find rest that easily, that is why God admonishes us to "owe no man anything but to love one another..." That mistake (sin) of your past may probably has offended someone (almost all the sin we commit is against our fellow human beings). That is why RESTITUTION is an important doctrine of the Scriptures so that we can "have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man".

REStitution is making amends for wrongs done against our fellow men, such as restoring stolen items, making confessions to the offended and appologising to persons slandered, paying back debts, etc --- Genesis 20:1 - 8, 14 - 18, Exodus 22: 1 - 7.

May God help us all to do right by all we have ever offended.

Nice .