Lesson 12: Are You Accusing Yourself?

Are You Accusing Yourself?
"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, Who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39).

Sometimes forgiving ourselves is as important as forgiving others. I really hate what I do sometimes. I get so frustrated with stupid things I've said or done, or mistakes I've made. It's taken me a long time to learn how to ignore my mistakes and embarrassments that I've brought upon myself.

Many years ago, I accidentally upset one of my dear aunties; what I said almost made her cry! I hate upsetting people, and I would never intentionally hurt someone, especially someone I love. So can you imagine how angry I was with myself? For literally years, I would kick myself when I thought of that incident, despite the fact that my aunt herself had easily forgiven me when I apologized for my blunder.

God doesn’t want His people to hold things against each other or against themselves. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13). “Anyone” includes yourself! The Lord has forgiven you. If you are holding something against yourself, remember: you are not more righteous than God. Since He can forgive you, you can surely forgive yourself.


John explained, “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9). He wants us to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16). We want to imitate God in His graciousness and mercy, and He promised that He “will forgive their wickedness, and [He] will never again remember their sins” (Jeremiah 31:34).

Is there a self-condemning recording playing in your mind about bad things you have done or are still doing today? We’re often our own worst judges. Sometimes things that have happened are really bad. Living under the blame of such incidents will keep you far from God. Many times, we ask God's forgiveness, but do not forgive ourselves. In Scripture, God says that nothing in creation can separate us, as believers, from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37-39).

How do you get past this? One way I have found is to write my sin on a piece of paper, and then write my confession to God below that sin. Now sign and date the paper. Below it, write the verse from 1 John 1:9 above. Tape that paper somewhere you will see it every day. When Satan brings that sin back to you to make you feel guilty, go look at that paper – and praise and thank Jesus for forgiving that sin and throwing it into the deepest sea. You will soon find the guilty feeling for your sin going away.

Prayer today: Dear Jesus, help me forgive myself for [bad things] that happened in my life through accident, negligence or sin.