One Trait at a Time: Stop Letting Your Past Hold You Back

Wisdom Scripture

Colossians 1:28 (NIV)

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.”

Wisdom Quote

Wisdom is a capacity of the mind; in the OT it involves both knowledge and the ability to direct the mind toward a full understanding of human life and toward its moral fulfillment. Wisdom is thus a special capacity, necessary for full human living, but one which can be acquired through education and the application of the mind.[1]

[1] Elwell, Walter A., and Barry J. Beitzel. “Wisdom, Wisdom Literature.” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. 1988: 2149. Print.

Stop Letting Your Past Hold You Back

Your past can hold you back in two main ways: guilt over previous failures and complacency over past achievements. However, your past doesn’t dictate your future. If you had an awful childhood, a difficult past, or made significant mistakes, you are not doomed.

Past Failures: The Guilt Trap

I’m not a competitive runner, but I can get serious on the treadmill at the gym. I don’t know if you’ve ever had this embarrassment, but a few times I’ve been running along at a manageable pace when a noise made me look behind me. I drifted to the side, missed my step, and flew off the treadmill.

So embarrassing!

Good runners don’t look back.

What happened before is no excuse for slowing down or dropping out. Forget the past—all those things that could paralyze you with guilt. Memories of previous sins can paralyze you with shame, but Christ died for those sins.

Do not insult the power of Jesus’s blood by insinuating that his blood was not sufficient to cover your sins.

Do not look back!

Past Successes: The Complacency Trap

Many people live on their past glories. They are still talking about winning that spelling bee in second grade or still telling stories about their high school regional championship.

A sailboat does not sail on yesterday’s wind.

Don’t live on spiritual fumes from past success. I hear people say, “Well, back when I was in college, I was really on fire for God. Before we had kids, I had a special time with God every day. Before I married, I was devoted to serving God. When I was at this other church, we were leaders for Christ.”

Great. What about today?

Are you running hard or coasting on spiritual times long past?