Regret is a universal emotion that every individual experiences at one point or another. The Bible, an extensive reservoir of wisdom, acknowledges this complex emotion and provides valuable insights on how to process and learn from those feelings of regret. The complexities range from repentance, forgiveness, learning from past mistakes, to finding the strength to move forward.
What Does the Bible say about Regret?
The Bible acknowledges regret not as an unresolved guilt, but as an opportunity to grow personally and spiritually. In the New Testament, the stories of Peter, who regretted denying Jesus, and David, who regretted his actions that led him to adultery, emphasize understanding the adverse effects of our actions, repenting, and seeking redemption. Instead of dwelling on the past, the Bible encourages its believers to look forward and focus on the opportunity for betterment and learning that regret often provides.
Why Regret is Important According to the Bible?
In the Bible, regret holds a significant position as it often serves as a catalyst for change and spiritual growth. By allowing oneself to feel regret, we open ourselves up to repentance and the forgiveness that follows. It is noted in several Bible passages that regret and remorse pave the way to genuine repentance, which in turn leads to a stronger spiritual connection with God and a deeper understanding of right and wrong. Therefore, regret, according to the Bible, is an integral part of the human experience, necessary for spiritual and personal growth.
What Lessons Are There from Regret in the Bible?
There are many lessons to be drawn from the Bible regarding the feeling of regret. One of the critical insights is that regret should not lead to a perpetual state of guilt or self-punishment. Instead, believers are encouraged to use their regret as a sign that they are straying from their path of righteousness, and thus they must seek forgiveness and course correction. Acknowledging the wrongs of our past, seeking forgiveness, and striving not to repeat those mistakes again is an instructive way to deal with feelings of regret as per the Bible.
How can Believers Overcome Regret?
The Biblical approach to overcoming regret involves acknowledging and repenting for past actions, seeking forgiveness, and focusing on spiritual nourishment and growth. It encourages believers to abandon the past mistakes and march with resilience towards a prospective future. It ensures that individuals do not remain trapped in regret but find redemption through repentance and forgiveness.
When Does the Bible Suggest to Reflect on Regret?
The Bible encourages believers to reflect on their feelings of regret immediately after recognizing their misdeeds. The immediate acknowledgment of regret could aid in the process of repentance. It is essential not to linger in regret but to use it as a stepping stone to make positive changes. The Bible encourages this reflection as a means to achieve personal and spiritual development.
Below is the full list of bible verses on regret (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Regret
Philippians 3:13
“13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”
Related Themes: Hope New Beginnings Business Setting Goals
2 Corinthians 7:10
“10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
Related Themes: Repentance Tears Repentance Guilt
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Bitterness Lust Attitude
Philippians 3:13-15
“13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”
Related Themes: Hope New Beginnings Business Setting Goals
Isaiah 43:18-19
“18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
Related Themes: New Beginnings Letting Go New Life Second Chances
Mark 11:24
“24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Related Themes: Prayer Restoration Trust Faith Encouragement
Joel 2:25
“25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”
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Romans 8:28
“28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Related Themes: Suffering Frustration Sovereignty Complaining Life
Ecclesiastes 7:10
“10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.”
1 Peter 5:8
“8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
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2 Timothy 4:7
“7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
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1 Peter 5:10-11
“10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
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Ecclesiastes 3:1
“1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
Related Themes: Frustration Time Seasons Life Reaping
2 Peter 2:9
“9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”
Related Themes: Deliverance Attitude Freedom Lust
Psalm 23:1-6
“1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
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Psalm 33:20-22
“20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”
Related Themes: Waiting
Acts 3:19
“19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
Related Themes: Repentance Restoration New Beginnings Respecting Your Parents Forgiveness
Genesis 6:6
“6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”
Related Themes: Repentance Compassion
1 Samuel 15:11
“11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.”
Related Themes: Apostasy
Psalm 30:5
“5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
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Luke 15:7
“7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
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Hebrews 8:12
“12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Forgiveness Bitterness
Romans 5:3-5
“3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Related Themes: Suffering Perseverance Patience Hope
Psalm 6:1-10
“1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.”
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Acts 20:24
“24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
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Ecclesiastes 1:14
“14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”
Related Themes: Vanity
Matthew 26:34
“34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”
Proverbs 2:11
“11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:”
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Isaiah 38:17
“17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Stealing Discipline
Acts 17:30
“30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”
Related Themes: Repentance Ignorance Forgiveness Change Indulgence
