Forgive and Forget:?

Question

If a person acts guilty after the fact, regardless of what they did, should or do you still forgive if they don't admit to it? I've had people say and do different things to me, but they would come back and act guilty and remorseful, but just won't say I'm sorry. Does that count as asking forgiveness or do they actually have to confess in some way verbally? What's your opinion?

Answer 1

Jesus said you will be forgiven in the measure that you forgive. I think what he means is how hard you try to forgive. It is a hard process, but keep trying because the main person hurt by bitterness is yourself. Sometimes it means forgiving even when the other person doesn't care if they receive it or not.

Answer 2

I'm a Christian, so lemme try and give what the Lord's giving me.

First of all, God's commands us to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you." God's love extends even to His enemies. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, this is impossible. Submit to the Lord and resist the temptation to hate on another, no matter what he/she has done. Extend mercy and grace instead. Think of how much grace and mercy which the Lord has extended towards us, who deserve it so little (and i'm the best sinner of all!)

Second, relationships. The Bible says blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. We gotta be careful who we let into our "inner circle." Remember, Jesus had the 3, the 12, the 50, the 500, and the multitudes. The 12 weren't as close to Jesus as the 3, the 50 as the 12, ect. When the wrong person gets on your inside, good chance they'll get you on your backside.

And third, the Word says that if we CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we SAY that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (1Jn 1:9-10) Two things. First, Jesus said to "forgive." Not only when they repent to you. Whether or not a person has made ammends with God DOES depends upon the verbal CONFESSION of the lips, as is made clear here. The best demonstration for this: If a husband, GUILTY of commiting adultery on his wife comes home to her acting guilty and remorseful, but never SAYS it, what are the chances of restoring his relationship with her? Not good. What he didn't know is that she'd already forgiven him, but in failing to CONFESS his sin there was no BRIDGE that would pave his way to restoration with her. Our confession paves a road to restoration. If they cannot SAY it, then how will you ever know they mean it? There is life or death in the power of the spoken word.

I really do hope this helps!

Answer 3

Does forgiving others mean that we must actually forget what happened? When the Bible says that Jehovah forgets our sins, this does not mean that he is unable to recall them. (Isaiah 43:25) Rather, he forgets in the sense that once he forgives, he does not hold those sins against us at some future time. (Ezekiel 33:14-16)
Similarly, forgiving fellow humans does not necessarily mean that we will be unable to recall what they did. However, we can forget in the sense that we do not hold it against the offender or bring it up again in the future. It would not be appropriate to gossip about it; neither would it be loving to avoid the offender completely.

It may take some time for our relationship with him to heal; we may not enjoy the same closeness as before. But we still love him and do our best to maintain peaceful relations. Luke 17:3.

What, though, if others sin against us in a way that inflicts the deepest of wounds, and yet there is no acknowledgment of the sin, no repentance, and no apology on the part of the offender? (Proverbs 28:13) The Scriptures clearly indicate that Jehovah does not forgive unrepentant, hardened sinners. (Hebrews 6:4-6;)
What about us? “Christians are not required to forgive those who practice malicious, willful sin with no repentance. Such become God’s enemies.” No Christian who has been a victim of extremely unjust, detestable, or heinous treatment should feel forced to forgive, or pardon, a wrongdoer who is not repentant.—Psalm 139:21, 22.

Answer 4

It's an ego thing. Some folks just can't accept that they could be *gulp* WRONG!! If this is the case, maybe your friend just needs a little understanding. Let him know that everyone...yes, even you...has made mistakes, and that you are ready and willing to forgive him.
If you absolutely insist on a verbal apology, what does that say about you?

Answer 5

Yes, a person should confess that they have wronged someone and ask for forgiveness but even if they don't you still must forgive, if you don't, then GOD won't forgive you! (Mark 11: 26)....

Answer 6

It's almost impossible to forget a 'wrong'...but it is quite possible, and preferable, to forgive. The question seems to be at what level do we accept someone's intention to request forgiveness...is it simply by saying 'I'm sorry'...or does it need to be more explicit? I this if it "feel" to you as if they are looking for forgiveness...you should be willing to grant their request and leave it at that.

Answer 7

Jeremiah 31:34
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
This doesn't say to forget, just says that I will no longer bring to memory and use this offense against them.

Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.


This is VERY IMPORTANT. Jesus says we will fbe forgiven AS WE forgive others. Heed that carefully.

Answer 8

I personally don't think it matters. Sometimes, you need to take initiative and say "I forgive you for __________". If you've forgiven someone, do you always say it verbally, or sometimes is it just accepted? By thinking about this question, you've probably already forgiven the person, and whether or not it is verbalized is not necessary.

Answer 9

Unless you forget, you haven't actually forgiven.

That said, it doesn't always make sense to forgive. If the person is likely to hurt you again, take the first punch next time.

Answer 10

I can forgive and forget, and I realize saying 'I'm sorry ' is very difficult for some people. they don't have to say it, just back off or make amends in some way if they can.