Past Defines Me

30-39 (Thirties) Male

"I failed in business and people will always remember me as the guy who couldn't make it work."

LIE: Failed business defines me. TRUTH: Righteous fall seven times and rise again (Prov 24:16).

See Truth Proverbs 24:16

16-18 (Late Teen) Female

"I sent those pictures. I'm damaged goods now. No godly guy will ever want me."

LIE: My sexual past disqualifies me. TRUTH: God removed my sins as far as east from west. (Ps 103:12)

See Truth Psalm 103:12

16-18 (Late Teen) Female

"I cheated my way through school. My achievements are fraudulent. I'm an imposter."

LIE: I'm a fraud. TRUTH: I'm the righteousness of God in Christ—a gift I didn't earn. (2 Cor 5:21)

See Truth 2 Corinthians 5:21

40-49 (Forties) Male

"My past anger and rage—the outbursts, the words I said, the things I broke—prove I'm fundamental..."

LIE: My rage proves I'm dangerous. TRUTH: Ezek 36:26 - NEW HEART given. Moses: murderer to meekest man on earth.

See Truth Ezekiel 36:26

50-59 (Fifties) Female

"I was in a same-sex relationship. Even though I've left it, the church will never fully accept me."

LIE: Past same-sex relationship makes me 'other.' TRUTH: 'If in Christ, NEW creation, ALL new' (2Cor 5:17). Corinthians:...

See Truth 2 Corinthians 5:17

90+ (Nineties Plus) Male

"The physical pain I'm experiencing is just something I have to endure until death."

LIE: Pain must be endured until death. TRUTH: By His stripes you ARE healed—Isaiah 53:5. Jesus took your sicknesses—...

See Truth Isaiah 53:5

30-39 (Thirties) Male

"I dropped out of college and will always be behind men with degrees."

LIE: No degree means less value. TRUTH: God looks at the heart, not credentials (1 Sam 16:7).

See Truth 1 Samuel 16:7

16-18 (Late Teen) Female

"I come from a broken family, so I'll probably end up broken too. Dysfunction is in my DNA."

LIE: Family dysfunction is my destiny. TRUTH: I don't bear my parents' guilt; I'm Abraham's seed. (Ezek 18:20, Gal 3:29)

See Truth Ezekiel 18:20

25-29 (Late Twenties) Female

"Because I was fired from my last job, I'll always be seen as unreliable."

LIE: Fired = unreliable forever. TRUTH: Joseph went prison to prime minister in one day (Gen 41). God's choice trumps hu...

See Truth Zechariah 3:2

40-49 (Forties) Female

"The mothering mistakes I've made have damaged my children beyond repair."

LIE: My mistakes damaged my kids. TRUTH: God pours His Spirit on YOUR children. (Joel 2:28)

See Truth Joel 2:28

30-39 (Thirties) Female

"I was involved in the occult, so I'm permanently damaged spiritually."

LIE: Occult past permanently damaged me. TRUTH: Colossians 2:14-15—Jesus WIPED OUT every claim, DISARMED every power. ...

See Truth Colossians 2:13-15

10-12 (Pre-Teen) Female

"Because I got in trouble before, teachers and adults will always see me as a problem child."

LIE: My past reputation follows me forever. TRUTH: God remembers my sins NO MORE. (Heb 8:12)

See Truth Hebrews 8:12

16-18 (Late Teen) Male

"I sent those messages. I looked at that stuff. I can never lead or be used by God now."

LIE: Sexual sin disqualified me. TRUTH: Jesus qualifies, not your purity. 1 Tim 1:15-16 - grace is the PATTERN.

See Truth 1 Timothy 1:15-16

19-24 (Young Adult) Female

"My family's dysfunction means I'll never have healthy relationships"

LIE: Family dysfunction is my destiny. TRUTH: The son shall NOT bear the father's guilt (Ezek 18:20). You're BORN AGAIN ...

See Truth Ezekiel 18:20

13-15 (Early Teen) Female

"I was the mean girl who bullied someone so badly they switched schools. I'm a terrible person who ru..."

LIE: I'm a terrible person. TRUTH: Christ came to save chief sinners as PATTERNS of mercy (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

See Truth 1 Timothy 1:15-16

40-49 (Forties) Female

"The abuse I experienced means I'll never be whole or fully trustworthy in relationships."

LIE: Abuse broke me forever. TRUTH: He heals the brokenhearted and binds wounds. (Ps 147:3)

See Truth Psalm 147:3

50-59 (Fifties) Female

"I abandoned my faith for years. God won't give me back what I lost in the wilderness."

LIE: God won't restore my wilderness losses. TRUTH: Valley of trouble becomes door of HOPE (Hos 2:15). Peter: denier to ...

See Truth Hosea 2:15

70-79 (Seventies) Male

"I wasted my best years chasing the wrong things and now it's too late for God's plan."

LIE: I wasted my best years. TRUTH: God restores years the locust ate. Your 70s may be your greatest. Joel 2:25

See Truth Joel 2:25

70-79 (Seventies) Male

"I'm too old to start over financially after losing everything in retirement."

LIE: Too old to recover financially. TRUTH: Widow went from debt to surplus in one afternoon. Age irrelevant. 2 Kings 4:...

See Truth 2 Kings 4:1-7

90+ (Nineties Plus) Female

"I was a terrible mother. My children's struggles are my fault."

LIE: I failed as a mother. TRUTH: They're responsible for their choices, not you. (Ezekiel 18:20)

See Truth Ezekiel 18:20