Many people say they can forgive others but have difficulty forgiving themselves. They say, "I never thought I was the type of person who would do such a thing". The truth is given the right circumstances we are all capable of every sin that has been committed. Without Christ we are inherently evil.
If we think we are "better than that" we are deluding ourselves. We obviously do not understand the depth of our own depravity, therefore we are incapable of understanding the marvelous grace and mercy of God. That is why Christ came, to deliver us from evil that is part of who we are.
Someone asks, but what about the evil I did after I became a Christian? Why am I still tempted to sin? First of all, it is not a sin to be tempted. We know this because the writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus was tempted in like manner as we are, yet did not sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). Secondly, if you give into temptation and sin, you only need to confess your sin, turn away from it and God will forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).
