I've done?" Can't you confess it to God alone and forgive? I don't know how to forgive. I know it's a choice and Christians are commanded, but how?
2007-05-28 08:53:37 · 22 answers · asked by TopLessOne 1 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thanks for the answers. I guess my main question was whether you have to go to the person when YOU are forgiving THEM. I understand when you ASK for forgiveness, you need to go to them. But when you're EXTENDING forgiveness, it would seem you shouldn't have to.
One person mentioned going to the person when forgiving them if God convicts you to do so, which seems right.
2007-05-28 09:29:20 · update #1
RRRaAAAAAA!!!!!!
2007-05-28 08:55:25 · answer #1 · answered by Aahh! A Monster!!! 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I believe that true forgiveness begins in the heart and mind. To forgive is to not bear any further ill thoughts towards the other person and let the anger and hurt, only when you can look deep inside and think about that person without a grudge - then you have forgiven. Whether it is necessary to aplogise face to face, is a personal decision, and circumstance will dictate the right course of action. Forgiveness is a very powerful thing because it is one of the hardest things to do, especially if we want to hang on to whatever the other person has done as an excuse to mete out revenge. It has also been proven that harbouring a grudge not only diseases the soul but has definite effects on one's health.
It is even harder to forgive oneself, and here it must start.
2007-05-28 16:24:20 · answer #2 · answered by Snake Eyes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not forgiving a sin against you is almost just as bad as committing one. You must inform the person who has apologized that you have forgiven them. God may know that you have forgiven them, but it is the rightful thing to do to tell them that you have done so. Yes, it is very often very difficult to forgive, often times it is harder than apologizing. But trust me, habits come by repetition. Start forgiving now, and it will come easier. Anyone can. There are numerous stories of saints and others who were hurt or killed, and either they or the victim's family members forgiving them. When Pope John Paul II was shot and almost assassinated, he spoke with the man who tried to kill him, and forgave him. If a man can forgive things like that, we too, can surely learn to do likewise.
2007-05-28 16:00:23 · answer #3 · answered by Will 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure you can do that. Confessing and asking forgiveness from God is most important BUT if God convicts you to go to a person and ask forgiveness then that's what you should do. Even if a person has wronged you, it is better to ask them to forgive you for whatever deed was done then to wait on them to ask forgiveness - the Bible calls it heaping the coals on someones head.
It's not always easy to forgive and it's even harder to forget. This is why we have to ask God to help us in this area of our lives and he will if we just ask and read his word.
2007-05-28 16:00:10 · answer #4 · answered by grandmabonnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forgiving is something that's really hard for us, but it is a must because God has forgiveness us and He wants us to forgive one another. I had alot of unforgiven I had some that I didn't even realize I did till God brought it up to me and showed me, many were already gone. If who you need to ask forgiveness from one who is still around yes it is the best way, I didn't realize that till after they were gone. Yes you also need to confess it to God as well..Forgiveness comes from the heart, you can say the words but you have to live it too. Ask God to give you the strength to comfort these peoples, He will help you, I needed help way back when but I wouldn't do it till after it was to late. Pray before you go over there to have God have His Will done in it. It would be up to them to except it then, if they don't then just walk away, if they do then make the best of it and enjoy yourselves in the freedom of forgiveness, just make sure it comes from your heart and you live it as well.
2007-05-28 16:24:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have forgiven people without finding them and telling them. It's not ideal but it's not always possible to do it face to face. I would if I could though. Don't forget that forgiveness has 2 functions ( I could be corrected if their are more) one is to show the forgiveness we have freely recieved as a witness to Christ and 2 is for our own sakes, to release us from the bitterness and holding back that unforgiveness often brings. Forgive and be free! God knows your heart, and may give you the chance to forgive in person if you ask him to.
2007-05-30 11:23:42 · answer #6 · answered by good tree 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you can not forgive the person face to face. For instance, you are a victim of a crime. You might not ever see the perpetrator again, but you can forgive him and not hold on to that hate. Without forgiving, your hate would probably lash out onto innocent people around you. You can forgive someone even if they never want to see you again. Just let it go. Charles Stanley did a program on forgiveness this past Sunday. Go to www.intouch.org if you want to see it.
2007-05-28 16:02:01 · answer #7 · answered by ignoramus_the_great 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
to forgive means you won't do things to the other person because they did something to you. I guess it's kinda like not taking revenge on someone.
I don't know if you can just confess to God alone and be forgiven from the person who you did wrong to.. but I do know you can forgive another person without telling them.
telling them that you forgive them is kinda like saying "you were wrong, but I forgive you" sometimes that would stir up even more resentment.
2007-05-28 15:59:34 · answer #8 · answered by Andy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You say you don't know how to forgive? Then how can you expect God to forgive you? You may not obtain the other person's forgiveness, but you need to be forgiving before you can expect God to forgive you. Fervent prayer is your only answer to resolving this conflict within.
Once you've learned to be forgiving, you need to work on seeking forgiveness from other people.
2007-05-28 16:03:36 · answer #9 · answered by Joseph T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forgiving is a choice but it is not the same as forgetting. You ca forgive someone and still choose to keep them out of your life. it's between you and God.
2007-05-28 15:56:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have to forgive yourself for doing it first. Could you live with your conscious everyday if you cannot even forgive yourself? As long as you know what you did and you acknowlegde it, then it is your choice if you want to tell the person you did it to that you are sorry for doing it. Some things are better left alone.
The Bible says that you owe no man nothing but to love him.
2007-05-28 15:58:52 · answer #11 · answered by Sweet 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋