Forgiving Reckless and Willful Sins Against Us
What does a big, cold, ugly block of cement symbolize to you?
How about a big, cold, ugly case of . . . unforgiveness?
The longer our grievance festers, the longer we resist forgiving the one who’s hurt us – and the bigger, colder and uglier our unforgiving heart grows.
I sincerely hope that forgiving others isn’t as hard for you as it is for me, especially when those who hurt us don’t seem sorry for what they’ve done.
It’s certainly much easier to forgive when the person didn’t intend to hurt us.
Which leads us to a question: Does God expect us to forgive people when their actions or words against us are thoughtless or even intentional?
As much as we may dread hearing the answer, what would become of us if we refused to hear God’s heart about this? Matthew 6:14 (ESV) says,
If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
The Greek word for trespasses (paraptōma) does, in part, apply to “willful” sins.
Willful.
How do we let go when someone deliberately hurts someone we love? Or give up resentment when they bully us for having convictions that differ from theirs?
How do we forgive our spouse for the reckless and willful sins they commit against us? How do they forgive us? What about those who purposely hurt us on social media? Or at church?
One side note: When there’s abuse involved, forgiveness doesn’t mean staying in a dangerous situation. We can forgive someone who willfully sins/sinned against us while also removing ourselves from that environment – even to the point of involving authorities if necessary.
If we’re not in an abusive situation, have we harbored resentment for so long that forgiveness no longer matters to us as it once did? Or have we justified our self-righteousness for so long that we’ve become blind to our own offenses?
Our merciful God sees clearly, and He hates our unforgiving attitudes – especially when we recklessly and willfully choose to ignore the abundant grace He, Himself, has shown us. (Read the story of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18.)
If we’ve forgotten the many times God has shown us grace, let’s be honest about it and ask Him to help us remember the times He’s forgiven our reckless and willful sins against Him.
I have no doubt we’ll come away humbled and ready to forgive others for their trespasses so we can let go of our big, cold, ugly, unforgiving heart.
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
- What steps can you take to become more forgiving — even toward those who willfully mistreat you?
- Would being part of an accountability group — or partnering with an accountability friend — help you live the Christian life you’ve always wanted to live?
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Does God expect us to forgive people when their actions or words against us are thoughtless or even intentional?
As much as we may dread hearing the answer, what would become of us if we refused to hear God’s heart about this?
Great points to ponder!
I’ve generally found it easy to forgive. I’m not really sure why.
Maybe because there have been so many times I’ve felt unworthy of forgiveness from others, I give it more freely.
Even before I became a Christian when I was simply ‘stuck in religion’ – I prayed for the people who wronged me. Almost as if they were Prophetic prayers before I’d ever even heard the word Prophetic.
For me, receiving forgiveness is harder. It grieves my heart so much when I hurt someone, even when it’s not intentional.
Knowing that God’s Word says that if I don’t forgive, my heavenly Father won’t forgive me lingers in the background of my mind, but I don’t need it to convict me. Though others may stand in fear under those words, or choose to ignore them because they’ve been wronged so badly, the bottom line is that we’ve wronged God worse than we can wrong each other. Yet He’s faithful to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from unrighteousness.- 1 John 1:9
He’s ALWAYS faithful to forgive us. Selah.
You are blessed to be able to forgive others so willingly, Helen. Please pray for me that I might forgive others more willingly.
I appreciate your heart, Helen. You said it well: “The bottom line is that we’ve wronged God worse than we can wrong each other. Yet He’s faithful to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from unrighteousness.”
I came from a very abusive homeless. My father and sister were both narcissists while my mother was passive. My brother was a pedophile and later went to prison. I was his first victim.
That’s why my husband packed us up and moved us to Greece
For my sanity and through the Words of the Lord, I knew I had to forgive all of them. Was it easy, not at all but I no longer carry that burden.
Thank you for another thought provoking message.
I am so sorry for all the pain you’ve experienced, Sandra. I’m thankful that your husband responded in such an active and loving way.
Most of all, I’m thankful for the grace God gave you to forgive your abusers SO THAT you can no longer carry the burden of unforgiveness.
I appreciate your stopping by … and for the compliment, Sandra.
What steps can you take to become more forgiving, even when (especially when) you’d rather not forgive?
I believe it’s the most difficult to forgive when someone doesn’t even realize they should have apologized for an offense against you, but God even understands and helps us to forgive them as well! “Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. “Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13. This is so important, and thanks for sharing Sheryl!
Indeed! Forgiveness is so very important. Whenever I read Ephesians 4:32, I tear up. Especially at the last part, “As Christ has forgiven you (me!)”
I praise God for His mercy!
Thank you, dear friend, for stopping by and leaving a comment. I always appreciate it.
Sheryl I have learned in my 67 years of life. To forgive and let go and let God deal with the person. Especially when they don’t want to work things out with me.
Hello, Susan! It’s so NICE to see you again at Today Can Be Different.
You are blessed to have the grace to forgive, dear friend. I admire that.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope to see you often. 🙂
And … THANK YOU … for sharing my devotion on your Facebook page, Susan!