One of the greatest battles many Christians face is not the devil, people, or circumstances – but the past. Regrets, sins, failures, hurts, and missed opportunities often become chains that keep believers from walking fully in God’s present and future. The past refers to what has already occurred in a person’s life: sins, successes, failures, memories, and former ways placed under God’s authority and capable of being redeemed, forgiven, or used for instruction.
God’s redemption demands letting go of the past. The foundation of Christianity is redemption. When we come to Christ, we are not improved versions of our old selves; we become new creations. The bible says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). If God declares the old things “passed away,” then holding on to them is a contradiction of faith. When we refuse to release the past, we silently deny the transforming power of the cross. The enemy often uses the past as a weapon, reminding believers of their former sins, mistakes, or shame to paralyse their faith and effectiveness. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12). If God has removed our sins, why should we keep revisiting what He has erased? Living in the past imprisons the mind and prevents spiritual growth. You cannot walk forward while constantly looking backwards.
Biblical history affirms this truth. Paul had a violent past; he persecuted the church and approved the death of believers. Yet he refused to be defined by it.
“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal…” (Philippians 3:13–14). Paul understood that destiny requires forgetting, not in memory, but in control. He did not allow his past to dictate his future. Peter denied Jesus three times, a painful failure. Yet Jesus restored him, and Peter went on to lead the early church (John 21:15-17). Had Peter remained in guilt, Pentecost would never have happened through him.
Clinging to the past hinders God’s future for your life. God often wants to do a new thing, but many believers remain stuck in old seasons. “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing…”(Isaiah 43:18-19). You cannot experience the “new thing” while clinging to “former things.” The past may explain you, but it should not define you. Sometimes the past remains alive because of unforgiveness – toward others or oneself. Christian faith is forward-looking. God calls believers to walk in hope, not regret. Remaining in the past limits faith. Faith thrives when we trust God for what is ahead, rather than mourning what is behind.
Refusing to let your past be past keeps you spiritually stagnant. The cross of Christ is God’s declaration that your past has been dealt with. When you allow Christ to heal, forgive, and redefine you, you are free to walk in purpose. Let the past become a testimony not a residence. Let grace rewrite your story. And remember: if you don’t allow your past to be past, you will still remain in the past. However, if you place it at the feet of Jesus, your future will begin.
Written by Elder Edward Ntege (Atebubu Area, Jato Zongo District)
