Then Peter. . .asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”
Matthew 18:21–22 NLT
Feelings of resentment, anger, jealousy, and revenge can be cleansed away by one solution—forgiving those who offend us. When Jesus told Peter to forgive 490 times, He meant an unlimited amount. Forgive as often as it takes. It’s not easy, but it works. Here’s how to forgive:
- Ask God for help. Forgiveness is a spiritual matter, requiring God’s power and enablement.
- Read God’s words about forgiveness: Matthew 6:12–15; Mark 11:25–26; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13.
- Read God’s words about the evils of vengeance: Romans 12:17–21; 1 Peter 3:8–12.
- Verbalize forgiveness. Tell God, “I forgive [the offender] for [the offense]. Ask God to forgive the offender, too.
Even though we cannot forget what happened, that’s okay. When it shoves back into our thinking, we must substitute this thought instead—I have forgiven this person because I am a sinner too, and God has graciously forgiven me.
Forgiving Father, thank You for wiping me clean. Help me to forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead—the heavenly prize, when because of Christ, I will enjoy Your presence forever.
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Today’s reading was adapted from Daily Wisdom for Women: 2016 Devotional Collection with permission from Barbour Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reading was written by Marcia Hornok.