...or is it better for us to lie in wait until our adversaries make a mistake, and then jump all over them?
Which is better, to forgive or attack?
Courteous answers only please, and forgive me if my question offends you.
2007-09-18 18:09:10 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
"But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses:Matthew 14:15
(((Serafim)))...Serafim already knows the answer to this question...I believe he is asking,to stimulate thought and in order that we may examine and expose our own hearts on the subject of forgivness.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
EDIT Jack's point is also well stated and true, if integrated with the texts that I have presented.
2007-09-18 18:32:05 · answer #1 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Why is it that some people are so obsessed with demanding that everyone grant forgiveness instead of demanding that people stop sinning?
I've seen Christians condemn victims of child molestation for pressing charges against their abusers instead of forgiving them. These same people knew that the children were being abused, allowed it to happen, covered up the evidence of it, and sided with the criminals in court.
Their constant refrain was "Everyone is a sinner," "All sins are equal in the eyes of God," and "Jesus forgives everyone." Somehow this means that it is more important to forgive criminals than it is to stop them from hurting people.
Forgiveness is only necessary because people are scum. If people would stop being scum, forgiveness would never need to happen again. And as long as the people we are asked to forgive deliberately choose to remain scum, forgiving them is wrong because it allows and encourages them to continue their evil actions.
When people have truly changed their behavior, forgiving them is the right thing to do. When people have not changed their behavior, forgiving them is absurd.
2007-09-19 01:32:25 · answer #2 · answered by scifiguy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
To forgive. Sometimes it takes time to heal, but forgiving begins the healing process.
Mat 6:14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
Mat 6:15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Mat 5:45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
2007-09-19 11:43:24 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have difficulty trusting people Serafim by reason that some actions are so abhorrent that they cannot be forgiven. Time really doesn't heal all wounds.
Adversary is perhaps the wrong word. I can admire and even love my adversary and hold no malice whatever towards them... but indifference is perhaps the greatest allie when it comes to competing with adversaries.
Friends who hurt you accidentally deserve to be forgiven.
Friends who hurt you intentionally are cheap friends and you can get another just like them, with little effort, so turn your back on them. Dont bother with revenge, it will consume you.
2007-09-19 06:23:09 · answer #4 · answered by Icy Gazpacho 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you have to love and forgive for one's own well being. However, I don't have to yoke myself to the person who continues to hurt me. This forgiveness you speak is much easier to give to strangers then to someone close that you hold dear. Your expectations are not as high for someone you don't think knows you well enough to have an opinion of you on a personal matter. Yet, the rule of forgiveness still applies regardless of who it is and when implemented gives freedom to the giver. Forgiveness continues to grow in the person while revenge is just a moment of pleasure
2007-09-19 12:07:31 · answer #5 · answered by . 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I think it best to love and forgive one another!
Jesus taught love! He also made a very serious point about forgiveness, " If you do not forgive one another, I will NOT forgive YOU before My Father, which is in heaven."
Now, you put these two things together, you have the heart of Christ! Forgiveness and love are two of the most important things a Christian must possess! MY OPINION.
2007-09-19 01:31:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Forgive you if your question offends me? No way. I am going to lie in wait until you make a mistake and then jump all over you.
In all seriousness forgiveness is the best option.
2007-09-19 01:15:35 · answer #7 · answered by Bible warrior 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If I forgive someone, my life doesn't revolve around them. They have no power over me. I can simply let it go, and focus on my faith and my family.
If I seek out revenge, my entire existence become centered around how, when, where, etc. And then once I attack them, will they retaliate in return?
Forgiveness takes the power away from those who hurts us and allows us to maintain our focus on what is important, not petty vengeance.
2007-09-19 01:19:26 · answer #8 · answered by ◦Delylah◦ 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Always forgive and forget! The Lord said forgive them 70 times 7. If you're really counting up to 490 then you haven't really forgiven them . . .
2007-09-19 01:16:54 · answer #9 · answered by Karen 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
people say forgive and forget, but it not always possible to forget. it's not always desirable to either.
if someone tells me that they're sorry for whatever reason if they are sincere i will try to forgive them. if they are doing it to ease their own conscience and i feel that they do not mean it then i probably won't forgive them.
i would never attack, but i would avoid the person so they wouldn't have another opportunity to hurt me.
there are some things that i consider to be unforgivable.
bright blessings to you
2007-09-19 05:55:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋