How should a Christian deal with feelings of guilt regarding past sins, whether pre- or post-salvation? Why do I feel so guilty about my past sins?
SOURCE: Got Questions Ministries - https://www.youtube.com/@gotquestions
BIBLE VERSES:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 8:1 (ESV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 86:5 (ESV)
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 8:1 (ESV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 86:5 (ESV)
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Psalm 85:2 (ESV)
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you covered all their sin. Selah
Psalm 103:8–10 (ESV)
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
1 John 2:1 (ESV)
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Revelation 12:10 (ESV)
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Matthew 3:2 (ESV)
2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 (ESV)
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Acts 3:19 (ESV)
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
Psalm 32:3–5 (ESV)
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Psalm 32:3–5 (ESV)
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
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