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Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? - Religion - Nairaland

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Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by PstBiola: 5:21am On Aug 21, 2022
The phrase “forgive and forget” is not found in the Bible. However, there are numerous verses commanding us to “forgive one another” (e.g., Matthew 6:14 and Ephesians 4:32). A Christian who is not willing to forgive others will find his fellowship with God hindered (Matthew 6:15) and can reap bitterness and the loss of reward (Hebrews 12:14–15; 2 John 1:cool.

Forgiveness is a decision of the will. Since God commands us to forgive, we must make a conscious choice to obey God and forgive. The offender may not desire forgiveness and may not ever change, but that doesn’t negate God’s desire that we possess a forgiving spirit (Matthew 5:44). Ideally, the offender will seek reconciliation, but, if not, the one wronged can still make a decision to forgive.

Of course, it is impossible to truly forget sins that have been committed against us. We cannot selectively “delete” events from our memory. The Bible states that God does not “remember” our wickedness (Hebrews 8:12). But God is still all-knowing. God remembers that we have “sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But, having been forgiven, we are positionally (or judicially) justified. Heaven is ours, as if our sin had never occurred. If we belong to Him through faith in Christ, God does not condemn us for our sins (Romans 8:1). In that sense God “forgives and forgets.”

If by “forgive and forget” one means, “I choose to forgive the offender for the sake of Christ and move on with my life,” then this is a wise and godly course of action. As much as possible, we should forget what is behind and strive toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13). We should forgive each other “just as in Christ God forgave” (Ephesians 4:32). We must not allow a root of bitterness to spring up in our hearts (Hebrews 12:15).

However, if by “forgive and forget” one means, “I will act as if the sin had never occurred and live as if I don’t remember it,” then we can run into trouble. For example, a rape victim can choose to forgive the rapist, but that does not mean she should act as if that sin had never happened. To spend time alone with the rapist, especially if he is unrepentant, is not what Scripture teaches. Forgiveness involves not holding a sin against a person any longer, but forgiveness is different from trust. It is wise to take precautions, and sometimes the dynamics of a relationship will have to change. “The prudent see danger and take refuge, / but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3). Jesus told His followers to “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). In the context of keeping company with unrepentant sinners, we must be “innocent” (willing to forgive) yet at the same time “shrewd” (being cautious).

The ideal is for the offender to truly repent of the sin and for the offended to forgive and forget. The Bible tells us true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8–14; Acts 3:19) and that love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5) and covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:cool. However, changing hearts is God’s business, and, until an offender has a true, supernatural heart change, it is only wise to limit the level of trust one places in that person. Being cautious doesn’t mean we haven’t forgiven. It simply means we are not God and we cannot see that person’s heart.

16 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by chaddy16: 9:35am On Aug 21, 2022
When you forgive truly, you have forgotten. That's Christ like.

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Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by bobwizzy1(m): 9:35am On Aug 21, 2022
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Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by OSUigboFlatHead(f): 9:35am On Aug 21, 2022
In my opinion, people should not always forgive.
People always fuckîng know what they're doing. WHEN YOU'RE HURTING SOMEONE, YOU KNOW DEEPLY IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU'RE HURTING THE PERSON, AND YOU KNOW HOW IT FEELS...

Not all offenses or sins should be forgiven.
Sins like:

- CHEATING
- STEALING
- KILLING
Should not be forgiven.
EVEN GOD DOESN'T FORGIVE ALL SINS. HE IS ALSO A VERY JEALOUS GOD. WE ARE ALL STILL PAYING FOR THE SINS OF ADAM AND EVE TILL DATE.

When people are made to take responsibilities for their actions, they'll truly repent and we would live in a better world.
Crime is only on the increase in this world because people are getting away with a lot...

12 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Truefaith: 9:35am On Aug 21, 2022
Fhd
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by EzeNdigboONE: 9:35am On Aug 21, 2022
I don't think one should always forgive.
Many people usually just hurt people deliberately (like cheating and guilttriping - girls do this A LOT) They know what they're fuckîng doing. They know it hurts. They know they can't take it if it's done to them, that's why they would still be guilttriping you while cheating and hurting you.

People should be held responsible for their actions. That's why there are rule of laws and that's why people are sent to jail or pay fine after breaking a law.
FORGIVENESS USUALLY JUST MAKE PEOPLE MISBEHAVE. WHEN PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY'LL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS, THEY'LL LIMIT THE WAY THEY MISBEHAVE.

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Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Emilianoo(m): 9:36am On Aug 21, 2022
Ok
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Viktoro1: 9:37am On Aug 21, 2022
Which of the Bible said u should forgive and forget. Those that forget are those with memory lose, but so far ur memory is in shape forgetting will be a difficult task.

4 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by pweeryambre: 9:38am On Aug 21, 2022
Well if you keep forgiving people they start to take you for granted.

1 Like

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by MANDIPUTIN: 9:38am On Aug 21, 2022
Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
What the bible means is that you should forgive & forgot. Take note of the underlying words "PUT AWAY FROM YOU"

5 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Benincity: 9:38am On Aug 21, 2022
smiley
Human beings are very decieftful. And to deal with them you have to apply common sense. You know when the bible talked about wisdom being profitable to direct he was talking about common sense. People.would want to take you for granted because they have gotten the signal that you are a practicing christian.
My own experience wasn't even because I was a christian. I was an intercessor right from birth I liked to stand in the gap for people. Defend them. Needless to say I hate to see people.suffering.
But later on.i began to notice that there are some.people who feel that when you help them, they obviously know something that you don't know. They take.you for a fool even at their own expense.
There.was this girl back in school who I taught the lesson of her life many years ago. She was not that attractive neither was I thinking of thinking of being interested in her. So she had the habit of asking for things like money and stuff and I helped her out when I could. She must have interpreted my gestures has those of someone who had no will of his own, a simp. Because later on in that session I fell Ill and missed alot of classes, and to my surprise the people who called to check up on me where those who did not even owe me anything. She never called. And when I resumed the first thing she did when I resumed long story cut short was ask for a favour. Despite forgiving her i never forgot. I denied the favour and cut her off.

In essence what I'm saying is forgiveness is not memory loss use your discretion


You want to buy and sell in dollars? Check my siggy.

7 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by AntiChristian: 9:39am On Aug 21, 2022
Nooooo

But those my enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring here, and slay them before me.
Luke 19:27

1 Like

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Fiscus105(m): 9:39am On Aug 21, 2022
We can forgive but only a slowpoke that will forget.


It's not practicable to forget evil that someone did to us in the past.

2 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by akin9ja78(m): 9:39am On Aug 21, 2022
It’s not compulsory we forget, so far we have truly forgiven it’s okay.

2 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Toneypen247(m): 9:39am On Aug 21, 2022
undecided
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by penearth(m): 9:40am On Aug 21, 2022
Forgiven is d key to holiness
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by tonicyril: 9:41am On Aug 21, 2022
How a wan take forget even if i forgive??
Gid self, in His infinite mercy no dey forget, na me, ordinary human wan con forget??



For the forgiveness sef, my spirit of forgiveness is very very weak. Too weak.

2 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Tboymessiah(m): 9:42am On Aug 21, 2022
NasoLifeBe!!!

I'm not sure I can't forget what kemzy did to me.

Imagine!!! I rented aoz and bought a bed for her to sleep while I was squatting with a friend, sleeping on rug in another city... I know wan talk wetin later happen...
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by tonicyril: 9:42am On Aug 21, 2022
Yemi4luv:
I haven't eating for the past some days now can anyone help me it with any amount.

302.666.0100
First bank
what about ur mum bro??
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by timekag: 9:43am On Aug 21, 2022
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Polynek(m): 9:43am On Aug 21, 2022
Forgive is very possible but forget is not.
You can't control the brain like a computer

2 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Freelane33(m): 9:44am On Aug 21, 2022
Trimulised
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by KEVIND: 9:45am On Aug 21, 2022
"See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled"
Hebrews 12:15.
Root of bitterness is forgetting the wrongs.
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Heterodox(m): 9:47am On Aug 21, 2022
Would you rather have pain buried inside of you?


You people ask a lot of stupid questions.
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by advocatejare(m): 9:49am On Aug 21, 2022
AntiChristian:
Nooooo

But those my enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring here, and slay them before me.
Luke 19:27

That was a parable, read to have wisdom!

Unlike the direct speech from your Quran that permits you to hate us, your name is even AntiChristian, a name of hate


“Hate your enemies and enemies of Muhammad”
Surah 60:1


Jesus prayed for his enemies and enjoined his followers to do the same:

"Father forgive my killers"
Luke 23:24

"Love all people including your
enemies, pray and bless them"
- Matthew 5:44

3 Likes

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Enny2013(f): 9:50am On Aug 21, 2022
Yemi4luv:
I haven't eating for the past some days now can anyone help me it with any amount.

302.666.0100
First bank
Don't u hv neighbours n family members?
Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by PreacherMan007: 9:50am On Aug 21, 2022
I can forgive, but to forget will make me a fool.

1 Like

Re: Does The Bible Instruct Us To Forgive And Forget? by Stanislause94: 9:51am On Aug 21, 2022
Where’s Rigteousness? He’s the best person to answer this

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