What does the Bible say about shame and regret?
Feeling shame or regret over our past seems like a part of life, doesn't it? We can't be perfect. We're always going to make mistakes. And sometimes we feel the need to mentally relive the things we're ashamed of over and over. But is it right that we continue feeling that shame and regret—like a lifelong punishment for our sins?
The Original Shame
Adam and Eve surely felt shame and regret after disobeying God and being banished from their home. They had a perfect, sinless relationship with God while they were in the Garden of Eden. After they disobeyed their Creator, they lost everything (Genesis 3). They messed up their relationship with God by inviting sin into lives.
Due to their disobedience, all of humanity is now born into sin, separated from God, and destined for hell. It's easy to imagine that Adam and Eve regretted their mistakes for the rest of their lives.
Thankfully, the story doesn't end there. God knew what they would choose and had already created the perfect plan to bring all humanity back into relationship with Him—through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
Peter's Shame & Regret
One of Jesus' disciples, Peter, told his Rabbi that he was ready to die with Him (Matthew 26:35). Yet, on the night Jesus was betrayed by Judas, Peter denied that he ever knew Him. Peter had been secretly afraid of losing his own life (John 18:15-27). After his third denial, Peter regretted his words and actions and wept bitterly (Luke 22:32). Are you familiar with that response to shame and regret?
After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus forgave Peter and restored him. He never said, "You disowned me three times! You said you'd die with me, but clearly you were lying." No. Instead, Jesus gave him the task of shepherding His people and proclaiming the gospel of salvation.
With Christ's grace, Peter chose to release his regret. He accepted that he had been forgiven and was no longer condemned by his past (Romans 8:1). His faith grew, and he encouraged the other disciples—just as Jesus predicted he would (Luke 22:32). Peter later grew to become one of the head leaders of the early church as recorded in Acts.
When We Hold Onto Shame
Satan would love to tempt you with a good, old-fashioned pity party over mistake you've ever made. He would love to freeze your faith, make you unproductive in your walk with Christ, make you feel like a failure. If you're always dwelling on past regrets or shame, you're not going to see anything good about today—least of all the good things God has brought into your life today (Matthew 7:1; James 1:17).
But the truth is that you are NOT a failure, but a conqueror through Christ's love (Romans 8:37)! Not only has God forgiven all your past sins, but Jesus has covered any future sins as well!
How to Release Shame & Regret
"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." —Romans 8:1
God’s forgiveness covers all our sins, so we don't need to feel shame and regret over what once was. When you accept Jesus, you're a new creation in Christ, no longer defined by your past (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:15-22). 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we confess our sins to God, He will forgive—and that "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).
Once God has forgiven our sins, they are completely forgiven, and we aren't associated with them anymore (Isaiah 43:18; Ephesians 1:7). Jesus has washed them away forever (1 John 1:7).
Don’t let yesterday's regrets distort today or tomorrow. Yes, we should learn from our mistakes, but holding on to old regrets and shame will only hinder the future that God has planned for you (Philippians 3:13-14).
Live Life with No Regrets
God has forgiven our past, and it's time that we do the same. Process those feelings and allow yourself to move on. Your past does not define you. You have a new life in Christ, and you can start living that new life devoted to serving God (Romans 6:4; Hebrews 12:2). God has a hopeful future for you, and you can only move forward if you choose to let go of past shame and regret.
For Bible references in this video, check the description on YouTube.
ALSO SEE:
- How to Deal with Regret
- How can I stop feeling guilty?
- Hating Sin Doesn't Mean Hating Yourself
- What does the Bible say about self-worth?
- What does the Bible say about self-hatred?
- How can I receive forgiveness from God?
- What does the Bible say about forgiving yourself?
- Will God forgive me no matter what?
- Are all my past, present, and future sins forgiven?
- What does the Bible say about failure?
- Why do I feel like a loser?
TL;DR
We all experience shame or regret over past sins at some point, but there's no reason to continue to condemn ourselves. If we have accepted salvation through Jesus, our sins have been forgiven (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 8:1). We aren't defined by our sinful past because we're new creations in Christ, made to serve Him faithfully (2 Corinthians 5:17). Temptations to dwell on past shame and regret will only freeze our faith into immobility. God has forgiven us, so we can do the same. God has a plan for our lives, and we can only move forward from past mistakes if we choose to let go of that self-punishment. Instead of focusing on our past regrets, let’s focus instead on the new life we have in Jesus.
Writer: Vivian Bricker
Vivian loves learning, studying the Word of God, and helping others in their walk with Christ. She is dedicated to helping people learn more about Jesus and is ready to help in any way she can. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, cooking, drawing, and spending time outside. When she is not writing, you can find her soaking up the sunshine or going on an adventure.
Writer/Editor: Catiana (Cat)
Cat is the web producer and editor of 412teens.org. She is known as "412teens" on the 412teens Discord. She loves audiobooks, feeding the people she cares about, and using Christmas lights to illuminate a room. When Cat is not cooking, gardening, or practicing creativity, she enjoys spending time with her two adult kids, six socially-awkward cats, and her amazing friend-amily.
