What if it's someone who has hurt mentally & physically near & dear to me & continues this path of distruction? How can I really forgive someone who is so dispicable & repeats these acts?
2006-12-13 04:45:24 · 15 answers · asked by COblonde 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Are you serious? You're unclear on what Jesus said about forgiveness? Try reading Matthew 18:21-22:
"I tell you, not seven times, but 70 x 7 times."
Nobody said forgiveness is easy, but Jesus doesn't offer any wiggle room on the subject.
2006-12-13 04:54:10 · answer #1 · answered by abram.kelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is utimately God to judge and forgive, but you must also forgive.
Forgiveness doesn't mean the person will change. It's up to the person to change. If the person doesn't want to change or doesn't know how to change, then s/he won't. Forgiveness also doesn't mean you accept, respect, or agree with what the person is doing. Forgiveness just means you forgive the person for the wrong doing and aren't going to let it negatively affect you. Forgiveness allows you to let go of your anger, frustration, resentment and move on. If you don't forgive, then the anger and etc will continue inside you. You will remain stuck where you unable to move on, which is bad.... While you may not do something as bad as others do to you, you still make mistakes. If you expect to be forgiven for things that you do, then you should forgive others.
2006-12-13 13:03:33 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strangely science agrees that forgiveness is good for you, the forgiver. As to the person causing harm, you should probably push them away to prevent them from harming you or your friend (presuming the friend agrees that this is harmful to them - obviously if this is an abusive relationship this is a hard sell sometimes and invariably entails building up the victim enough that they see that they have a right to believe they're being abused). You can't change the bully or the victim, unfortunately but maybe you can get the bully put in jail.
2006-12-13 12:56:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said "If you do not forgive others I cannot forgive you"
We are to forgive everyone of everything they have done to us, even though we do not forget what they did, we are not to hold it against them.
This is for your best interest. Jesus said "If you have anything against another, and you come to the alter I will not her you. Go and reconcile, then come back and I will hear you." If you do not forgive it will eat you up inside like a cancer. My wife was raped by her stepfather she was a teenager, she held that bitterness inside for years, and always seemed angry.One day God dealt with her about this, she contacted her stepfather, and they talked and she forgave him. Just over a month latter he was killed in a car accident. If she had not forgiven him her last memory would have been her bitterness.
2006-12-13 12:56:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible tells us to forgive each other, but it does not say that you must like or trust that person again. You do not have to be a door mat to anyone. Just let go of your bitterness and rage and don't do anything to get revenge. God will look after everything else.
2006-12-13 13:03:49 · answer #5 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you must forgive if you expect forgiveness.
But that's no excuse for allowing destructive behavior. Get away or better, set the government on them. That's what God set authorities over us for.
Forgiveness is important for your OWN growth. Don't let anyone else stifle your advancement.
2006-12-13 12:52:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read the book "Forgive for Good". It talks about forgiving the person not the act. Forgiveness is good for you, it is all about you...yes, it is your responsibility to forgive, because you are the only one who can. Jesus even spoke about forgiving each other 70x's 7 which actually means, forgive always...
2006-12-13 12:50:52 · answer #7 · answered by harpertara 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
by forgiving them it doesn't exacly get them off the hook for hurting u, but forgiveness sets us free, free from future hurting, bitterness, expectations, we don't have to reconcile with that person ever again, but if we forgive them, our father will forgive us. u may have to leave this person and not go back to them, ever again. the sin is on them if they hurt u, also the punishment will be theres. if they repeat the hurts over and over again, than there is no way we should stay with them. but we must forgive them, as the unforgiveness inside us becomes toxic, and causes us to not be able to enjoy our lives. that person may never own up to what they did to u, they may never be remorseful, so we have to let it go, and give it to the lord to handle.
2006-12-13 12:53:56 · answer #8 · answered by jude 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said that if we don't forgive those who sin against us, God won't forgive us our sins against him. (The Lord's Prayer) He told Christians to forgive, and forgive, and forgive, again and again and again. He said that in the manner that we judge, we will be judged.
On the cross, Jesus cried out in agony, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing!" (Luke 23:33) Jesus died in order that your sins might be forgiven. You have done nothing to deserve such forgiveness. You are duty bound to forgive the slights against you because you, too, are a sinner, and in need of forgiveness. Those who keep sinning against you will never be stopped in their tracks until the lesson of forgiveness comes home to them. You are to set that example, otherwise you will be dragged down into the pit along with them.
2006-12-13 13:02:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Bible says that you should forgive some one seventy times seven. and you should always for give some no matter if they keep on hearting you because if you do not forgive then god wont forgive you
2006-12-13 13:20:28 · answer #10 · answered by God Is Love 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋