31 Bible Verses About Mistakes

Are you struggling with letting go of past mistakes? Do you still feel the effects of some poor decisions you made a long time ago? Regardless of your past, that’s all it is. 

Scripture is filled with biblical truths that can cure your doubts, dwellings, and discouragement. 

Let’s break down scripture verses that talk about how we can learn from our mistakes and why it’s for our own good.

Plus, we’ll discover why it’s important to confess our sins to God and to anyone that we offended. It will cleanse you from guilt and God will remember your sins no more. Wow, that’s so exciting! 

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Bible Verses About Mistakes

Let’s go through some passages about mistakes made and why we can accept the bad along with the good. There’s always a reason why He allows difficult situations – it’s according to His purpose.

As women, we tend to want to remove our past mistakes, maybe out of embarrassment, shame, or horrific consequences. However, God doesn’t. He uses these tough situations for His Glory.

Don’t get stressed or get anxious over bad decisions. Instead, embrace them as a part of our landscape in life. 

  • Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18 NIV
  • Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV
  • Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
  • Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
  • We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:2 NIV

Bible Verses About Learning from Mistakes

What does the Bible say about learning from mistakes?

While we are beating ourselves up for getting it wrong, God is rejoicing because you have confessed your fault and turned back to Him. Remember, once you admit your mistakes to God, he not only forgives, HE FORGETS!

If you are dwelling on the past, you are still making mistakes. Move on, my friend! This was all orchestrated for His reasons, not ours. You can be confident that all worked out best for you and everyone else affected by this tragedy, error or oversight. 

  • And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
  • For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Proverbs 24:16 NIV
  • These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV
  • For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Peter 1:8-9 NIV

Bible Verses About Making Mistakes

We all make mistakes, but we tend to think we’re the only ones who have made poor decisions. Whether it’s before you were saved or after your salvation, we are all still sinners.

 If you’re a human being, mistakes will be made. It’s just a fact of life. However, it’s how we respond that makes a positive or negative impact.

You read about parents who rise up and fight for important causes when a child dies. You learn about people who’ve had abortions, regret their decision, and make it their ministry for the pro-life movement. 

Did they dwell on their past bad decisions and give up? No, they repented and made good decisions moving forward.

  • Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Philippians 3:12
  • We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:2
  • Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34
  • Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1
  • For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Bible Verses About Admitting Mistakes

Admitting mistakes to God and others can be difficult. While it is commanded in the Bible to do so, it’s for our benefit. We restore our relationship with God and those we offended. 

Maybe you’re in a situation where someone will not forgive you. 

You must keep moving forward and instead, ‘sin no more’. This includes beating yourself up, getting anxiety, or fearing the future. Remember, choose faith over fear! 

  • If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8
  • if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.2 Chronicles 7:14
  • If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.2 Peter 3:9
  • I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:3

Bible Verses About Mistakes and Forgiveness

Some great advice in Psalm and other passages in the Bible tell us to praise the Lord. This will allow our focus to shift from ourselves to the One who heals our mistakes, wounds, and suffering. 

He is the one who forgives our sins and looks at it no more. It’s gone forever! 

Isn’t that a wonderful promise?!! Here are some Bible Verses on Mistakes and Forgiveness to remind us that Jesus is the light who casts out the darkness in our lives. 

  • Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins. Psalm 103:1-3a NIV
  • For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light Ephesians 5:8
  • Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Proverbs 19:20
  •  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
  •  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
  • For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 8:12
Bible Verses about Mistakes

Bible Verses about Avoiding Mistakes

Wondering how you can make better decisions that are Biblical?  Did you know that God’s Word has the roadmap for avoiding the wide and windy path? Here are some wonderful passages of scripture on advice to avoid mistakes for the future.

In these beautiful scriptures, you’ll discover prayer, faith, and the Word of God is all you need to circumvent bad decisions moving forward. 

  • Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
  • I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 NIV
  • Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV
  • I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NIV
  •  Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character. 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
  • Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

What past mistakes are you struggling with? Are you dwelling on negative thoughts in your mind?

Is it keeping you up at night or staying in bed too long? It’s time to get up and start moving forward. Yet, it’s not time to take the driver’s seat.

If you have asked for forgiveness from God, there is nothing to fear! You are now righteous with God and He has given you the ‘go-ahead” to make new goals and godly decisions. Forgive yourself, my friend.

He needs you for His purpose and the weight on your shoulders is more than you can bear. Call on Him, and He will take the wheel and drive you on the righteous road to redemption.  

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