Will Jesus forgive me if I denied him?
My sister asked me today why I updated my profile picture to an image of Jesus on the cross. I lied to her and said I watched a Christian movie and downloaded the image afterward. The truth is, I’ve been getting closer to God in the past week and have been reading and watching a lot of religious content. I found the image and updated my WhatsApp profile picture with it. But when she asked me about it, I got scared and lied. She’s not religious so I was afraid she’d lecture me. To make things worse, I deleted my profile picture after we hung up and replaced it with an image of my dog. I’ve prayed and asked Jesus for forgiveness. I feel ashamed and am wondering if he still wants me!
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Asked 2 days ago
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Jojo F
Supporter
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Kelli Trujillo
Supporter
Jojo, thank you for your honesty. And let me say this: I think there are very few Christians who have NOT done something similar to this in their lifetime. Even those of us who have been walking with God for decades have moments of weakness. But here's the key: You realized your mistake, and you are admitting it. Take it to Jesus, confess it, and you will indeed be forgiven. His love for you and His commitment to you are far stronger than our human fickleness. One of the greatest examples in the Bible of someone who denied Jesus and was forgiven is Peter, the disciple who became a prominent leader in the early church. On the night Jesus was betrayed, Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 24: 54-62). After Jesus was resurrected, He made it a point to forgive Peter and reinstate Him. John 21: 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” In His love, kindness, and mercy, Jesus gave Peter three times to confess his love and commitment to Jesus, once for each of the three times he had denied Jesus on the night He was betrayed. So, yes, Jesus wants you back! If you haven't done so already, just go to Him, confess your sin, and ask Him for the strength to stand firm. Eph. 6: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. God bless you, and welcome to the family!
Donna Williams
Supporter
Jojo, I don't see where you denied Jesus Christ; however, you did lie which is the sin you committed. You already confessed your sin and have been forgiven according to 1John 1:9. Please remember that Jesus paid our sin debt, and we have been forgiven and set free from the penalty of sin and death. Feeling ashamed is a natural reaction when we know that we have done something wrong; however, Romans 8:1 tells us that "There is therefore now condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." May I encourage you to forgive yourself and move on in your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. You don't have to wonder if he still wants you, because it is written in Ephesians 1:6, "He made us accepted in the Beloved." The Father accepted you because of what Jesus has done by atoning for your sins. You belong to God and are an heir and a joint heir with Jesus. To God be the glory! It sounds like you are a babe in Christ, and I want to encourage you to learn how to stand on the promises of God, and your faith will grow! I pray that you will develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit, who will lead you and guide you into all truth. May you be empowered by the Holy Spirit and become a mighty witness for Jesus Christ!
Daniel Veler
Supporter
Your question: Will Jesus forgive me if I denied him? I remember that Peter denied Christ three times the night they took Jesus into custody, and he was forgiven. So you too can be forgiven. But later he stood firm for Christ. My prayer is that you will do the same. But Jesus warns us: if we continue to deny him, he said: Matthew 10:33: “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 11:6: “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Then we have the parable of the sower. The meaning of this parable is explained by Jesus. Matthew 13:20: “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Mark 4:17: “And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." If you read the scripture I have posted, you should examine your heart and see how you have received the word. Christ said this: Many are called, but few are chosen. Seek the Lord with all your heart. The Lord will reveal himself to you. This is what receiving eternal life is. John 17:3: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Now the apostle asked Jesus, "How can this be?" Here was the answer Jesus told him: John 14:22: “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, 'Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?' Jesus answered and said unto him, 'If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.'” This is how you can be sure you have been saved.
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
Will Jesus forgive me if I denied him? Yes. If you deny Jesus and then turn back to Him in repentance, He will forgive you. Scripture is unequivocal on this point. The Bible does not treat denial as an unforgivable act; it treats unrepentant rejection as the danger, not the failure itself. To answer this clearly, we must let Scripture interpret Scripture—because, as you rightly emphasised, God works through His Word to reveal His character, correct His people, and restore the fallen. Scripture Shows That Jesus Forgives Those Who Deny Him Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus forgave him fully. Peter's denial was not accidental—it was repeated, emphatic, and fearful. Yet Jesus restored him openly and completely (John 21:15–19). This is the clearest biblical precedent: A disciple denied Christ publicly, and Christ forgave him publicly. This shows that denial is not the end of the story for anyone who returns. Scripture Reveals God's Character: He Restores the Broken You emphasised that Scripture reveals God's nature—His mercy, holiness, justice, and faithfulness. That is exactly why denial is forgivable: God is merciful (Psalm 145:8). God is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). God restores those who fail (Psalm 23:3). God does not cast off those who stumble (Micah 7:18–19). Denial is a sin of fear and weakness—Scripture shows God deals gently with such sins when the heart returns to Him. Scripture Shows the Difference Between Denial and Rejection Jesus warned, "Whosoever shall deny me before men…" (Matthew 10:33). This is not describing a moment of failure—it is describing a settled, hardened rejection. Peter denied Christ out of fear, not rebellion. Judas betrayed Christ out of hardened rejection. The difference is the heart. Scripture consistently teaches: Failure + repentance = forgiveness Rejection + refusal to repent = judgment Your question seems to be about failure, not rejection. Scripture Teaches That Repentance Opens the Door to Forgiveness You quoted Romans 12:2, showing how God transforms the believer through His Word. That transformation includes restoring those who fall. The Bible repeatedly affirms: "A broken and a contrite heart… thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17). "Return unto me… and I will return unto you" (Malachi 3:7). "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us" (1 John 1:9). Denial is a sin that can be confessed and therefore forgiven. Scripture Shows That Jesus Intercedes for Those Who Fail Before Peter denied Him, Jesus said: "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." This is crucial. Jesus intercedes for believers even when He knows they will fail. He does not abandon them; He restores them. This is the heart of the gospel. Scripture Strengthens Faith by Showing God's Faithfulness to the Fallen You highlighted Romans 10:17—faith comes by hearing the Word. And what does the Word show? God forgives: Abraham's lies David's adultery and murder Jonah's rebellion Thomas's doubt The pattern is unmistakable: God forgives those who return. Scripture Equips Us to Understand This Truth Clearly 2 Timothy 3:16 shows Scripture corrects, restores, and instructs. In this case, Scripture corrects the fear that denial is unforgivable and restores confidence in Christ's mercy. Direct Answer: Yes, Jesus Will Forgive You If You Deny Him and Then Turn Back to Him Denial is a serious sin, but it is not final. It is not unforgivable. It is not beyond Christ's mercy. The Bible shows: Jesus forgave Peter. Jesus restores repentant sinners. Jesus receives all who return. Jesus intercedes for the weak. Jesus is faithful even when we are not. Denial is not the end. Repentance is the doorway to full forgiveness.
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