What does the Bible say about making mistakes? Last week, I realized that I was hiding from a mistake I made, and I wouldn’t say I liked how I felt about myself. When I turned to God’s Word, here’s what I discovered.
Speak the Truth in Love
I consider myself a truthful person. At times, I even lean toward truth-telling to a fault.
Ephesians 4:15 says, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
I get the “speak the truth” part of Ephesians 4:15, but I could improve on the “in love” aspect of the verse.
So, this week, I was surprised to realize how much I run and hide when I make a mistake and all the subtle ways we allow ourselves to do it.
I realized a part of me still believes, deep down, that I need to fix my problems first, then seek help later.
Do You Try to Fix Yourself?
See if any of these sound familiar:
- “Once I get my eating back on track and lose these 5 lbs I gained, I’ll go back to Weight Watchers.”
- “After I get caught up on these reports, I’ll talk to my boss about how overwhelmed I am with my workload.”
- “Life with our family is so crazy. Once we get things ironed out, we can start going back to church again.”
In other words, you might think, “Let me just fix myself a little bit first. Then, I’ll be worthy enough to ask for help.”
3 Key Scripture Passages About Grace
When I realized I was hiding from my mistakes, I turned to God’s Word for clarity. Here are the passages I found.
1. Hebews 4:16 – Come to God with Confidence
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
When I mess up something big time, the last thing I feel is confidence. I feel weak, insecure, and unsure. Yet the Bible clearly shows that you can confidently come into God’s presence. He is waiting there for you with arms extended.
Here’s where it’s important to understand the difference between guilt and shame.
- Guilt says, “I made a mistake.”
- Shame says, “I am a mistake.”
This Bible passage in Hebrews is clear. You are not a mistake, and your mistakes don’t define you.
You are human, and you are learning.
2. Ephesians 2:8-9 – By grace you are saved.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
This passage is such a clear expression of the fact that salvation is in Christ alone. Only because of God’s grace is salvation yours. There is nothing you can do to earn God’s favor. He gives you love, mercy, and grace because we are His children.
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – God’s grace is sufficient.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
During moments when I feel most embarrassed by my past behavior, 2 Corinthians 12 is a reminder that God’s grace is sufficient for any sins I have committed. I am weak, but God works in my weakness.
Your mess becomes your message. Your test becomes your testimony.
This is how God redeems the broken places in your life.
How Grace Works
One of the foundational beliefs of our Faithful Finish Lines online weight loss program is that we treat ourselves and others with grace.
Treating others with grace is hard, but I challenge myself to forgive as God forgave me.
Treating myself with grace is more complicated. When I mess up, I want to hide. I don’t want to share what’s going on in my life. I find myself shrinking back.
Guilt settles in hard and deep.
As one of our spiritually wise members said to me, “I believe in Jesus and know He died for me, but somehow, to fully accept ‘grace’ feels like a cop-out. As a Christian, shouldn’t I have discipline over my behaviors and life?”
Friend, grace is not a cop-out.
Will there be consequences for our negative behaviors? Perhaps. But God, in His goodness, will help us handle those.
Grace extends a hand and says, “Come out of hiding.”
Grace extends a hand and says, “Come out of hiding.”
How to Fix Mistakes You’ve Made
The only way to fix mistakes is to come out of hiding. The truth may be painful, but it’s the only way. Most of the time, it won’t be as bad as you think.
Admit the mistake. Ask for forgiveness.
Let’s own our stuff. I’m going to work on it. Would you like to join me?
How do we become more spiritually mature people? We don’t get better first, and then come to God. God comes to us, saves us, and fills us with the Holy Spirit. Because of the Spirit, we live a disciplined life.
God fixes me for me.
Come out of hiding and into the light of Christ’s forgiveness.
Your life is waiting.
How have you been hiding in mistakes? Are you ready to come into the light of Jesus’s love and forgiveness? Tell me about it in the comments below.
God is so good he has blessed me in so many ways. All that I have is because of him it’s not much but to me through God its good.
I love your items!!
Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m so glad the resources are helpful.
Excellent Sara! I totally believe in giving others grace and have really been working on giving myself grace over the last year. Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Board.
Love it! A much needed word in this season.