Pondering the past is something we all do once in a while.  There is nothing really wrong with doing such as long as we do not allow the past to control us, a mistake too many people make in life.

While we do not want to make the mistake of living in the past, remembering our past sins, while not always pleasant, can, nevertheless, be helpful, especially when we recall that they landed us on the wrong side of God’s favor.

Deuteronomy 9:7 (ESV)
⁷  Remember and do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD.

Remembering our past sins reminds us that God does not tolerate wrongdoing.  The Israelites spent 40 long years in the wilderness because of their sin of unbelief, at which time an entire generation of them died (Numbers 14:20-38).

We should never forget that our sins provoke God’s wrath.  The only difference now is that God withholds punishment until later.  Let us never forget that there is a price that must be paid for sin.  The immediate price is separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but the ultimate expression of His wrath will be punishment in a devil’s hell for all eternity (Matthew 25:41).

Not forgetting our past sins can also help us to feel a sense of shame because of them.

Romans 6:20-21 (ESV)
²⁰  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

When we are ashamed of our past, we are less likely to relapse into our former way of living.  Now, we must not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by a sense of guilt when we think of our past sins.  Remember that we have been acquitted of our past transgressions and have been made new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Still, a certain degree of shame can help us avoid being repeat offenders.

One more way that remembering our past sins can help us is to remind us to have compassion for others who sin.  Paul said something about this to the churches of Galatia.

Galatians 6:1 (ESV)
¹  Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

We need to help others who are caught in a sin, but we need to make sure that we do it with the right attitude.  We must have a spirit of gentleness when we are attempting to restore brethren.  One thing that can help us with that is remembering our own sins of the past.

Do not dwell on your past sins too long, but remember them just enough to remind you that you do not want to repeat them and realize how important it is to help others who are struggling.             

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.