[First Century Christian 22.12 (2000): 11.] Mistakes and failures of the past should not be allowed to hinder and rule in regard to the present and the future. Paul’s admonition needs to be applied in such cases. “But one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). However, this does not mean that we cannot learn from our mistakes and failures and profit from them. Righteousness of God is a learned behavior, just as sin is; therefore, we must unlearn sin and learn righteousness. To be righteous, we must study God’s will and learn to do right (James 1:21-22). Righteousness is turning away from sin to do right; it involves repentance. There is a commendable saying, “I’ll not make that same mistake again!” Such a statement expresses a bold and courageous determination to do better, but we must not forget that the devil can also be incited by it to attempt to bring us to an even greater downfall. When we clean our houses (souls), we must also fill them with righteousness (Luke 11:24-26). “Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.” We are righteous only as we learn and put into practice right doing, and our heavenly