Dear brothers and sisters,
Forgiveness is a powerful and essential aspect of our faith. When someone hurts us, it is natural to feel pain, anger, and even betrayal. However, the Bible teaches us that forgiving others is crucial for our spiritual growth and well-being. Forgiving those who hurt us is not merely a suggestion, but a command from God. It is an act of obedience that reflects God’s forgiveness towards us.
Jesus himself taught about forgiveness in many parables and sermons. One of the most profound lessons is the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. In this story, a servant who owed a great debt was forgiven by his master. However, the same servant refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him a small amount. When the master learned about this, he was angry and punished the unforgiving servant. This parable teaches us that just as God forgives our immense debts, we must also forgive those who wrong us, no matter how small or large the offense.
Forgiveness is not easy, dear friends. It requires humility and a willingness to let go of our pride and hurt. We must remember that Jesus forgave those who crucified him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” If our Lord can forgive such immense pain and suffering, we too must strive to forgive those who hurt us.
Forgiving others also brings healing to our own hearts. Holding onto bitterness and resentment can be like a poison, affecting our mental, emotional, and even physical health. When we forgive, we release that burden and experience peace and freedom. It opens the door for reconciliation and restores broken relationships.
Moreover, forgiveness is an expression of love. Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. When we forgive, we demonstrate that we are children of God, reflecting His love and grace.
Dear friends, now let’s see the Bible scriptures below that talk about forgiving others who hurt you.
“When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses”
— Mark 11:25
“Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme”
— Mark 3:28
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go tell him his fault between thee him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother”
— Matthew 18:15
“Then came Peter to him, said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, I forgive him? till seven times?Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven”
— Matthew 18:21-22
“So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses”
— Matthew 18:35
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins”
— Matthew 26:28
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against theeLeave there thy gift before the altar, go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, then come offer thy gift”
— Matthew 5:23-24
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, persecute you”
— Matthew 5:44
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”
— Matthew 6:12
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you”
— Matthew 6:14
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety nine just persons, which need no repentance”
— Luke 15:7
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; if he repent, forgive himAnd if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him”
— Luke 17:3-4
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. they parted his raiment, cast lots”
— Luke 23:34
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you”
— Luke 6:27
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is mercifulJudge not, ye shall not be judged: condemn not, ye shall not be condemned: forgive, ye shall be forgiven”
— Luke 6:36-37
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”
— Ephesians 1:7
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”
— Ephesians 4:32
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; mercy rejoiceth against judgment”
— James 2:13
“Confess your faults one to another, pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”
— James 5:16
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, curse not”
— Romans 12:14
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”
— Romans 12:19
“For all have sinned, come short of the glory of GodBeing justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
— Romans 3:23-24
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins”
— Proverbs 10:12
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends”
— Proverbs 17:9
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth forsaketh them shall have mercy”
— Proverbs 28:13
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us”
— Psalm 103:12
“If thou, Lord , shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared”
— Psalm 130:3-4
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered”
— Psalm 32:1
“For thou, Lord, art good, ready to forgive; plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee”
— Psalm 86:5
“Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”
— Isaiah 1:18
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, will not remember thy sins”
— Isaiah 43:25
“Let the wicked forsake his way, the unrighteous man his thoughts: let him return unto the Lord , he will have mercy upon him; to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”
— Isaiah 55:7
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy”
— Micah 7:18
“Their sins iniquities will I remember no more”
— Hebrews 10:17
“They shall teach no more every man his neighbour, every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord : for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord : for I will forgive their iniquity, I will remember their sin no more”
— Jeremiah 31:34
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost”
— Acts 2:38
“Repent ye therefore, be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord”
— Acts 3:19
“To the Lord our God belong mercies forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him”
— Daniel 9:9
“Refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness, forsookest them not”
— Nehemiah 9:17
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”
— Colossians 1:14
“So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, their sin; for they did unto thee evil: now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. Joseph wept when they spake unto him”
— Genesis 50:17
“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained”
— John 20:23
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts pleasures, living in malice envy, hateful, hating one anotherBut after that the kindness love of God our Saviour toward man appearedNot by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, renewing of the Holy GhostWhich he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our SaviourThat being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life”
— Titus 3:3-7
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible teaches us the profound importance of forgiving others who hurt us, as seen in verses such as Matthew 6:14-15 and Ephesians 4:32. These scriptures remind us that forgiveness is not just a divine command but a pathway to spiritual and emotional freedom. By forgiving others, we emulate God’s grace and open our hearts to healing and reconciliation. We learn that harboring resentment only hinders our spiritual growth and peace. Applying this in our lives means actively choosing to let go of grudges, seeking to understand and empathize with those who wrong us, and practicing love and compassion in our daily interactions. Embracing forgiveness fosters healthier relationships and brings us closer to living a life that reflects Christ’s teachings.