Do you struggle with feelings of guilt and regret over past sin? First, know that you are not alone. There are many believers out there who’ve made mistakes, including myself. I struggled with guilt over my part in the demise of my own first marriage years ago. Believers can fall into sin in many areas of life such as, addiction, violence, sexual promiscuity, jail time, abortion, adultery, and divorce. We sometimes make a single bad decision that changes the trajectory of our life, leaving a trail of burnt bridges and ruined relationships in our wake. We wish we could take it back and find a remedy for our crippling guilt and regret.

 Why do we fall into sin in the first place? Well, the pull of the enemy is strong and we are simply not prepared for battle. We’ve neglected time in the Word, praying, listening to biblically sound teaching and being around other believers. We’ve let down our guard, allowing room for Satan to exploit our weaknesses. We crave immediate gratification and forget the power we have, through the Holy Spirit, to resist temptation. Our pride and selfishness rule, as they drag us away from what is good and pleasing to God. 

None of us are perfect. Jesus Himself, was the only human who lived a sinless life, and He was God. Here are some things you should know about sin:

• Your sin is no worse than anyone else’s. In God’s eyes, sin is sin. 
• No sin is unforgiveable, other than rejecting Christ completely. 
• God’s mercy and forgiveness is available to us all and in him there is hope and healing.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

When we stray, God doesn’t abandon us. He loves us too much to leave us in the darkness of our sin and disobedience. Instead, God mercifully draws us back to himself through the Holy Spirit. We sense a gnawing, relentless tug and begin to question our choices and feel convicted. In our desperation, we call out to God and seek His face again. As we turn back to Him in genuine repentance, God is there, offering mercy, forgiveness, and the opportunity for a fresh start.

However, that cunning serpent, Satan, the accuser of men, wants to keep us in bondage to guilt and regret. He whispers in our ear, making us question whether God has truly forgiven us, telling us we’re damaged goods. Satan wants us ineffective, insecure, joyless, defeated. But Satan is a liar. As Jesus said,

“… Whenever he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 (ESV)

When God forgives, it is total, complete and forever. He died on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sin—past, present, and future. When we forget that, allowing ourselves to wallow in guilt and regret, it’s as if his sacrifice means nothing.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)

Although God wipes our slate clean and gives us a fresh start, sin does have consequences—they’re a fact of life. It’s cause and effect. We touch a stove; we get burned. We steal a purse; we go to jail. We become addicted to drugs; we lose our job. God never promised to deliver us from the consequences of our sin. But we have help in enduring them. We have God’s Word, prayer, a local pastor, Christian friends, and Christian counseling to help us move forward. But most importantly, we have the ever-present power of the Holy Spirit within us. The same power that brought Jesus out of the grave. 

If you’re struggling with guilt over how you’ve treated someone in your past, it may help to go to them and ask their forgiveness, or perhaps write a letter or send an email. If you have regret over an event, sinful decision, or rebellious period of your life, you can’t “put the leaves back on the tree.” But there are things you can do: 

• Seek forgiveness and reconciliation where possible. 
• Share your story with someone who’s struggling with a similar thing. Tell them how God brought you back to Himself. 
• Become a lay counselor at your church. 
• Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center, a homeless shelter, or a jail ministry. You can’t change your past but maybe you can help change someone’s future.

God knows you. In fact, He created you! He knows everything you’ve done and everything you will do. He loves you anyway, more than you can fathom. God desires that you and I live a life of joy, freedom and purpose. He doesn’t want us trudging through life carrying a sack full of guilt and regret. 

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11-12 (ESV)

Shut out the whispered lies of the enemy and replace them with God’s truth. Move forward in freedom and peace. Break the bonds of your past and live your life in the light of God’s forgiveness and grace.

I’m so glad I discovered that the mercy and forgiveness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has no limits and that through repentance I could again experience a life of joy, peace, and purpose. You can, too!