Five Forgiveness Fables
If you’re like me then you’ve likely heard some things I’d call a “forgiveness fable.” When you “test all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and compare them to God’s Word you can see that they are definitely not God’s opinion.
FIVE FORGIVENESS FABLES
✅ 1. YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE EXACTLY HOW GOD FORGIVES
This is impossible to do, because only God has the ability to forgive and forget. We don’t.
God tells us “their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12)
He created you with a brain and a memory. Trying to force yourself to “forgive and forget” leads you down the path to legalism not God’s love.
✅ 2. FORGIVE AND FORGET AND MOVE ON
Again, impossible! This is worldly counsel. Only God can truly “forgive and forget.” (Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12)
Depending upon how deeply you’ve been emotionally wounded, this usually won’t work unless you have memory loss, you’re dead or you’re at a point where you simply don’t care.
Most of us can’t “move on” in life but keep getting stuck, reliving the past because of deep emotional wounds.
Instead, God’s Biblical counsel is to “freely give” by giving grace and forgiving. (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32) Yes, whether or not the person deserves forgiveness.
Let Jesus heal your broken heart so you can mature and then grow forward. (Isaiah 61:1)
✅ 3. FORGIVE TO FREE YOURSELF
This is worldly counsel. While the world’s advice might sound highly spiritual, it can be self-centered and designed to increase self-esteem. Worldly counsel says to forgive, and do it for yourself.
Forgiving others does bring personal benefit by giving us more peace and comfort, instead of bitterness, anger and resentment. This is because having an attitude of unforgiveness is rebellion against God. (John 16:8) And unforgiveness is the way of Satan. (2 Corinthians 2:6-11) Simply put, God rewards us when we obey His Word.
Instead, God’s counsel is to forgive, by freely giving the person grace. (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32)
God’s way of forgiveness is for you to give out God’s grace, as He dispenses grace through you. Biblical forgiveness focuses on God and God receives the glory! Worldly forgiveness focuses on self and self is glorified.
✅ 4. FORGIVE ONLY WHEN THEY SAY SORRY FIRST
Surprisingly this isn’t immediately seen as worldly, prideful and selfish in nature to more Christians. But it is.
This fable is centered in an attitude of entitlement and pride. And yet “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
God’s example was that God acted first by showing us grace and love; second, we respond to God’s acts of grace and love. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
We should note that since God is perfect and without sin, God has no need to say sorry to us nor apologizes for any wrongdoing. Yet we can follow His perfect example of extending grace first, and not waiting for a person to say “sorry” first. Can you imagine how lost we would be if God waited for humanity to say “I’m sorry” before He sent Jesus to die for us?
✅ 5. THEY’RE NOT IN MY LIFE ANYMORE SO I DON’T HAVE TO FORGIVE
This is wrong thinking.
Forgiveness is first and foremost a heart issue between you and God.
The person you refuse to forgive may even be dead, but the unhealed heart can still hold onto grudges, bitterness and anger. You still need to forgive.
Know that unforgiveness is the way of Satan (2 Corinthians 2:6-11), and that unforgiveness hurts and damages your other relationships. Some people seek revenge by refusing to forgive.
Forgiveness is the way of Jesus and God tells us to forgive as in Colossians 3:13 – “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Question:❓ What forgiveness fables have you heard of ❓
For better Forgiveness solutions see How to Forgive According to the Bible:
(How to Forgive According To The Bible | Calvary Chapel At The Cross)
We cover Forgiveness issues on Day 6 of the FREE 8 Day Growing and Healing Challenge. Learn how to forgive according to the Bible and be set free! Signup and see testimonies here: https://EmotionalHealingSecrets.com/