Believe and Act as if You’re Forgiven
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. (Luke 5:22-24)
Doctors and neuroscientists confirm that the brain is a loop machine. Uninterrupted thought patterns carve deeper into your mind and responses. Spiritually, that’s why so many people remain stuck. They keep replaying regret, revisiting their failures, and dwelling on their wrongdoings. The enemy would love nothing more than to keep reminding you of your past actions and attempting to convince you that you are not forgiven. There has to be a point when you decide to stop looping the lie and start living in the truth of God’s Word.
You can break the loop by choosing to live by faith. You have been forgiven, but you must believe it, receive it, and then get up and walk as if it’s true.
In other words, you must apply the five elements of faith:
Hear it – Romans 10:17: “Faith comes by hearing…”
Receive it – James 1:21: “Receive with meekness the engrafted word…”
Believe it – Mark 11:24: “Believe that you receive…”
Speak it – 2 Corinthians 4:13: “We also believe, therefore speak…”
Act on it – James 2:26: “Faith without works is dead.”
See, the faith needed to know you're forgiven is the same faith it takes to believe you’re healed. You are not defined by the fall but by His forgiveness. You are not paralyzed by the shame of your past; instead, you are moving forward by God’s promise into your future.
Practical Application
When thoughts of condemnation or past guilt arise in your mind and emotions, declare out loud, “I am forgiven.” Stop the loop as soon as it begins. Walk in faith.
