I really think forgiveness is a very important part of my life. It is the hardest thing for me to do as a Chrisian, but I've learned to do it any way ( I have a problem about holding down to the pain caused by others). Over the years I've gotten better though.
Here is my problem. If you forgive someone who has hurt you, is it alright to stay away from them, or does that betray the whole concept of forgiveness.
What if you know some one who hurts people, then asks for forgiveness, only to do the same cruel things again.
2007-08-31 10:10:35 · 17 answers · asked by pinacoladasundae 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whether it is is based on religous motives or not, I feel forgiveness is an important trait for people to live peacefully amoungst eachother. Just saying.
2007-08-31 10:12:14 · update #1
Don't get me wrong, I have been staying away. I've just been getting a lot of slack for it, and wanted someone elses opinion on this . I'm glad i'm not the only one who feels like this.
2007-08-31 10:27:36 · update #2
Forgiveness is something you do primarily for yourself. You remove the burden of reliving the pain over and over again in your heart and mind.
You can absolutely forgive someone without having to keep them in your life. You SHOULD cut all ties with anyone who continues to do hurtful things. You are not here to be abused!
You can forgive and feel compassion towards that person, wish them well, pray for them, and let them go.
2007-08-31 10:57:53 · answer #1 · answered by magicalpossibilities 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not a requirement of forgiveness to set yourself up for further pain.
Basically what I'm saying is - if someone repeatedly causes you the same pain, you must recognise that you would be better of without them. This is beneficial to both, as you can relieve yourself of the suffering caused, and the other person can learn that by causing suffering, there is plenty to lose.
But in *most* cases, forgiveness should be total, and if somebody harms you, love them.
You cannot fight a great blaze with a lit match
May peace go with you throughout your life
2007-08-31 10:35:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God wants you to forgive, but he also gives most people some common sense not to put yourself in the same situation over and over. Distancing yourself from someone who has hurt you does not mean you don't forgive them. Forgiveness is more for the forgiver than the forgivee. It is being able to not dwell on and bring up the offense and not let it eat at you on the inside. You are supposed to forgive someone even if they don't ask for it. That doesn't mean you open yourself up for the same hurt. That means you don't keep a constant reminder of the hurt or let it take hold of your life.
2007-08-31 10:24:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You still have to remember that forgiveness is for YOU! It's not for the other person. It's fir you, so that you do not hold the grudge. It's good for your spirit to let go of the anger.
If no one has done this to you, then consider it:
Say you go to tell someone that you forgive them and they throw it in your face. What have you got then? You did a good work, and your expectations were that they would accept, but they did not. Your work should have been done: you did the right thing after all, but now there is all this animosity which developed from the encounter! It was your expectations which set you up for it. And we are supposed to have our eyes on Jesus. Now they are on the ground!
So don't set yourself up for that. Realize that the forgiving that you do is for you.
2007-08-31 10:25:37 · answer #4 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Similar problem that I have and I would say separate yourself and be at peace. I had to do this recently as to why stay connected in ways to allow hurt to continue. Depart from evil and do good. When that person that has done you wrong becomes a true christian of the Lord, he has a lots to account for before the Lord, especially if his unjust deeds was done unto a saint of the Lord.Forgive, Let go and Let God handle it. This way it becomes the Lord battle and not yours.
2007-08-31 10:39:47 · answer #5 · answered by JoJoBa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all right to stay away from someone that has hurt you. Forgiveness is not the same as welcoming them back into your life with open arms. There must still be consequences. A trust has been broken. It is up to you to forgive but it is up to them to earn that trust back.
2007-08-31 10:24:41 · answer #6 · answered by moondriven 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God forgives us as long as we "repent" of our sins and it should be the same way with you. If someone hurts you and you agree to forgive them, you need to come to an understanding with that person that it's ok to be hurt once and forgive them for doing whatever they did wrong but they should not willingly hurt you again in the same manner. If so, you can keep forgiving as Jesus said "7 times 7" to show your patience but they need to realize the problem is with them and not you. Ultimately, it's best to end or avoid the relationship if there is no sign of repentance or remorse for doing the same hurtful thing over and over.
It's hard to understand how God can be so forgiving when we are so wicked and sinful at times but it shows the strength of his love for us. Imagine if he stopped forgiving us for all the times we repeatedly sin against him.
2007-08-31 10:34:41 · answer #7 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because you forgive someone for something doesn't mean you have to set yourself up for another round of the same old suffering. You can forgive them and move on - and this probably sets BOTH of you up with a better chance of success.
2007-08-31 10:18:51 · answer #8 · answered by buddhamonkeyboy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes...yes! Its o.k. to remove yourself from the person the devil is using to attack you. Forgiveness is an act of obedience and the Lord will honor that.
You never have to cross that person's path again..in fact..it might be dangerous for some (depending on what they did)
Forgiveness is very powerful and will open the door to many blessings for you. It will even open the door of salvation for the one that hurt you.
2007-08-31 10:24:57 · answer #9 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything harmful to yourself should be avoided. That includes people, places, and things. The saying goes: The first time...shame on them. The second time...shame on you. In other words respect other people enough to forgive but yourself enough to not allow intentional repeat behavior to bring unnecessary harm to you.
God bless
2007-08-31 10:42:59 · answer #10 · answered by F'sho 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋