It’s easy to hold someone’s past mistakes against them, especially when we’ve been hurt. But what does the Bible say about forgiveness and moving on? Scripture offers profound insights into how we should treat others in light of their past and reminds us of the grace and mercy that God shows us. Let’s explore how we can let go of resentment and practice biblical forgiveness.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Non Believers Going To Heaven
What Does The Bible Say About Holding Someone’S Past Against Them
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and highlights the limitless nature of God’s forgiveness. Holding someone’s past against them goes against the principle of forgiveness that Jesus teaches here. Instead, we are called to forgive others consistently and abundantly, just as God forgives us.
Forgiveness releases us from the burden of bitterness and allows healing to take place in our relationships. It is an act of grace, reflecting the love and mercy of God. By choosing to forgive rather than holding someone’s past against them, we mirror God’s compassionate nature and create an environment of reconciliation and restoration.
Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
This verse assures us of God’s willingness to forgive and forget our sins. If God, who is perfect and holy, chooses to remember our sins no more, how much more should we release others from the weight of their past mistakes?
Holding someone’s past against them contradicts the new life we have in Christ. As believers, we are called to extend grace and mercy, imitating our Heavenly Father. When we allow forgiveness to flow freely, we participate in the divine act of redemption, offering hope and a fresh start to those around us.
1 Corinthians 13:5
“It [love] keeps no record of wrongs.”
Love is the foundation of Christian relationships, and part of love’s nature is to not keep a tally of past offenses. Holding someone’s past against them reflects a lack of love, as it keeps us entrenched in bitterness and prevents reconciliation.
Genuine love seeks forgiveness and healing, acknowledging that we all make mistakes. By choosing to let go of the mistakes and sins of others, we demonstrate love in action, fostering an environment of trust, understanding, and growth.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
In this verse, we are urged to be kind and compassionate, forgiving others as we have been forgiven by God through Christ. Remembering the forgiveness we have received should motivate us to extend the same forgiveness to others, regardless of their past actions.
Holding someone’s past against them is incompatible with the kindness and compassion that should characterize our interactions. By choosing forgiveness and extending grace, we reflect the transformative power of Christ’s forgiveness in our lives.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
This verse reiterates the call to forgiveness, emphasizing the need to bear with one another and let go of grievances. Just as the Lord forgave us, we are instructed to forgive others, setting aside their past offenses and choosing reconciliation.
Holding someone’s past against them creates a barrier to unity and healing within the body of Christ. True forgiveness reflects the transformative power of God’s redemptive work and allows for restoration and growth in our relationships.
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
This verse cautions against judging and condemning others, instead calling us to forgive. Holding someone’s past against them often stems from a judgmental and condemning attitude, which is contrary to the teachings of Jesus.
Forgiveness is a reciprocal act, as we are promised to be forgiven when we extend forgiveness to others. By choosing not to hold someone’s past against them, we align ourselves with Christ’s teachings, promoting reconciliation and fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and love.
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
While this verse may specifically refer to loving our enemies, it highlights the broader principle of extending love and forgiveness to all, including those who have hurt us in the past. Holding someone’s past against them undermines the command to love unconditionally.
Forgiveness is an act of love that breaks the cycle of resentment and promotes healing. It allows us to see others through God’s eyes, understanding their inherent worth and potential for transformation.
Romans 12:19-20
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'”
In this passage, we are encouraged not to seek revenge but to entrust justice to God. Holding someone’s past against them can be a manifestation of a desire for revenge or punishment, which is contrary to the teachings of Christ.
Instead, we are called to respond with acts of kindness and love, even to those who have wronged us. By choosing forgiveness, we allow God’s justice to prevail and open the door for potential transformation in the lives of others.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
This verse highlights the vital connection between our forgiveness of others and our own forgiveness by God. Holding someone’s past against them can hinder our own experience of forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
By forgiving others, we demonstrate our understanding of the forgiveness we have received from our Heavenly Father. Letting go of past offenses aligns us with God’s heart and fosters a spirit of forgiveness and restoration within ourselves and in our relationships.
Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
This Proverb underscores the importance of covering over offenses rather than continuously bringing them up. Holding someone’s past against them often involves repeatedly reminding them of their mistakes, causing division within relationships.
Choosing forgiveness allows us to protect and foster love, maintaining the unity and trust that should characterize our close friendships. By extending grace, we create an environment where healing and growth can flourish.
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
This verse paints a beautiful picture of God’s forgiveness and the removal of our sins. Holding someone’s past against them fails to recognize the complete eradication of sins that occurs through God’s redemptive work.
When we choose to hold on to someone’s past, we deny them the freedom and healing that comes from being released from the burden of guilt and shame. By letting go and choosing forgiveness, we reflect the transformative power of God’s forgiveness in our own lives.
Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Wisdom leads to patience and the ability to overlook offenses. Holding someone’s past against them demonstrates a lack of wisdom and patience, hindering growth and reconciliation.
Choosing to overlook offenses allows for the opportunity to focus on the present and the potential for change in individuals. It allows us to extend grace and forgiveness, fostering an environment of understanding and harmony.
Romans 14:10-12
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
This passage reminds us of our own accountability before God and cautions against judgment and contempt towards others. Holding someone’s past against them stems from a critical and judgmental attitude that contradicts the inclusive and loving nature of Christ.
Forgiveness acknowledges our shared humanity and recognizes that we all have fallen short of God’s standard. By embracing forgiveness rather than judgment, we create space for transformation and restoration within ourselves and others.
Genesis 50:17
““…So please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.”
In this verse, Joseph’s response to his brothers’ plea for forgiveness serves as a powerful example. Despite the harm they had done to him in the past, Joseph chose to forgive them, leading to a beautiful reconciliation.
Holding someone’s past against them can prevent the possibility of healing and restoration. By following Joseph’s example and extending grace, we open the door to reconciliation and the potential for renewed relationships.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus’ invitation to find rest and learn from Him is relevant to our approach towards those who have made mistakes. Holding someone’s past against them burdens not only the other person but also ourselves, preventing true rest and peace.
By forgiving and letting go, we embrace the gentleness and humility of Christ, experiencing His liberating grace and extending it to those around us.
Psalm 130:3-4
“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”
This Psalm acknowledges the abundance of God’s forgiveness and the opportunity it provides for us to serve Him in reverence. Holding someone’s past against them fails to recognize the extent of God’s forgiveness and hinders our ability to serve with a heart of gratitude.
Choosing to forgive releases us from the burden of keeping a record of wrongs, creating space to focus on our relationship with God and fulfilling our purpose in His kingdom.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
This Proverb highlights the destructive nature of hatred and the power of love to cover over wrongs. Holding someone’s past against them fosters conflict and hinders the growth of healthy relationships.
Love, expressed through forgiveness, has the ability to bring healing and restoration. By choosing to cover over wrongs with love, we contribute to a harmonious and nurturing environment in our interactions with others.
Galatians 6:1
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
In this verse, we are reminded of our responsibility to restore others gently when they stumble. Holding someone’s past against them lacks the gentleness and understanding necessary for restoration.
Forgiveness recognizes our shared humanity and acknowledges that we too are susceptible to mistakes. By extending grace and restoration, we exemplify the transformative power of God’s forgiveness and promote growth within the community of believers.
Matthew 7:1-2
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
This verse emphasizes the caution against judging others, as it will inevitably bring judgment upon ourselves. Holding someone’s past against them reflects a judgmental attitude that disregards our own need for forgiveness.
By withholding judgment and choosing forgiveness instead, we open the door to receive God’s abundant mercy and grace, fostering an atmosphere of understanding and compassion in our relationships.
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
This verse encourages us to accept and embrace one another, following Christ’s example of acceptance towards us. Holding someone’s past against them undermines the spirit of acceptance and prevents unity within the body of Christ.
By accepting others as Christ has accepted us, we create an atmosphere of love and openness, allowing for healing and spiritual growth to take place. Forgiveness plays a key role in accepting one another, bridging the gaps that past mistakes may have caused.
James 2:13
“Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
This verse warns of the consequences of showing judgment without mercy and highlights the supremacy of mercy. Holding someone’s past against them reflects a judgmental attitude that fails to extend the mercy we ourselves have received.
By choosing mercy and forgiveness over judgment, we reflect the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice. Mercy triumphs over judgment, leading to reconciliation, restoration, and the deepening of our relationships with others.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse reassures us of God’s faithfulness to forgive us when we confess our sins. Holding someone’s past against them fails to acknowledge the possibility of repentance and the transformative work of God’s forgiveness.
When we forgive others, we participate in the redemptive process, offering them a chance for purification and restoration. By imitating God’s forgiveness, we uplift and support each other on our spiritual journeys.