If someone wrongs you 491 times-is it then okay to be angry and unforgiving?

Question

Mat 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.


70x7=490
Or am I being too "literal"??

Answer 1

I wouldn't say you're being literal; examining the precise meaning of words themselves ought to be done when reading anything important. However, meaning doesn't stop there.

I'm not a Christian; I'm a Pagan who does closely examine issues of anger and forgiveness in today's culture. From that perspective, I think it's cricitical to define your use of the word "okay" in this context.

Is it human, natural and understandable to be angry and unforgiving? Absolutely. We have feelings, and when they're hurt we have reactive thoughts and feelings. That's understandable. It isn't wrong to be hurt and unwilling to forgive. Those feelings themselves aren't wrong.

It's what we do that matters.

It IS wrong for us to nurture those feelings, to harbor them deliberately simply out of any sense of satisfaction and righteousness they give us. I don't believe any higher power wants us to do that harm to ourselves or others. By examining the situation, accepting whatever blame is rightfully ours, putting ourselves in the other person's position and invoking our ability to empathize, we heal.

I've seen people harbor animosity towards former spouses for years, and there isn't a doubt in my mind that their God does not want them to suffer like that and waste any of their time on earth feeling those emotions when so much is waiting to be enjoyed and adored.

I think the point of the passages you've referenced is this: forgive more than you can imagine. If you can count that many times, you might need to reevaluate your behavior, but keep forgiving.

Answer 2

You are being too literal. My belief is that most passages in the Bible are meant to be taken metaphorically, anyway...it's not the minute details of the passages, but the underlying morals and lessons that you learn from them.

Basically you should always be open to forgiving, but only to a certain point. By that point, you should stop giving a person so many chances to once again screw you over/wrong you. If you keep giving that person chances and that person keeps screwing you over, then you are that much more likely to get screwed over again by this same person. By that point, you are exceeding the expectations to be a good & kind person...and you are now a spineless pushover.

I don't think it should take 490 incidents of being wronged before deciding to turn your back to someone. I think it should take much less than that. I cannot define this number because it varies according to the relationship that you have with that person. For example, you should give more chances to your kin or family than a stranger. Or you should give more chances to someone that has also done good for you as well as bad(for example, a friend that has helped you out before but happened to royally screw up 1 or 2 times). It's all relative.

Answer 3

Yes, you are being too literal. Jesus was declaring to Peter that there could be no limit, that any brother confessing his fault and asking forgiveness must be forgiven. Additionally, there are many places in the Bible that speak to "Forgiveness" and Jesus even spoke several parables on this topic.

Answer 4

As long as you don't mind God getting angry and unforgiving with you after your 491th sin or mistake, go for it.

I was taught that in the Jewish culture, 7 represents completness. By saying 7 * 70, Jesus meant, to always completely forgive.

Answer 5

You are probably being too literal however I would be angry and unforgiving of myself if I allowed a person to wrong me 491 times. I believe self deprecation and guilt are pillars of Catholicism so it is probably allowed.

Answer 6

If you really want to keep track, I'd say you'd have a right to your unforgiveness by instance #491. Would you do it with a clipboard, or put it on your blackberry?

Answer 7

I always liked the three strike rule, but then again if somebody f*cks you over once why even give them a second chance. Everytime I do it ends up biting me on the ***.

Answer 8

Showing forgiveness for someone is not limited by any number.

Answer 9

This is hilarious. The Christians are saying you should be infinitely forgiving, but yet God is not. You can't leave Hell - he won't forgive you there.

Answer 10

You're in the right! Go Postal!