This devotional on forgiving others shows where the power to forgive comes from: God’s forgiveness of us. Paul writes, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, ESV). Forgiveness does not excuse the wrong; it releases your right to repay and hands the person to God.
Key Verse
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
Why Forgiving Others Is So Hard
Few things are as simple to say and as hard to do as forgiveness. Then someone says something cruel, betrays a confidence, or wounds us in a way that aches for years, and forgiveness feels impossible. If that is where you are, God is not standing over you with crossed arms. He knows the hurt is real; he saw it happen. Forgiveness is not pretending the wrong was small; it is choosing what to do with a wrong that was real.
Forgiven People Forgive
Paul’s words build on each other. Kindness comes first: it is the soil forgiveness grows in. Tenderhearted: the opposite of a heart that has decided never to be hurt again. Then comes forgiveness, modeled on the way God forgave us in Christ. We forgive not because the other person deserves it, but because we were forgiven when we did not.
Unforgiveness also hurts us more than anyone else. Bitterness is a heavy pack that colors our days and steals our sleep. When God calls us to forgive, he is inviting us to set it down. And forgiveness makes us look like Jesus, who prayed for those who crucified him.
What Forgiveness Is and Is Not
Forgiveness is not saying it did not matter, automatically trusting again, or staying in harm’s way. Reconciliation takes two people and time; forgiveness can begin with one. At its heart, forgiveness releases the right to get even and trusts God, who judges justly.
It is often a process. You may forgive on Monday and feel anger rise again on Thursday. That is not failure; you choose forgiveness again. If you need it, ask God to make you willing to be willing. If the hurt involves abuse, please seek safety and talk with a pastor or counselor.
Today, Try This
Think of one person you are struggling to forgive. Without contacting them, pray for them by name today, asking God to bless them and help you release the debt you feel they owe.
Reflection Question
Is there a hurt you have been holding onto, and what would it look like to begin releasing it to God?
Prayer
Lord, you have forgiven me more than I can measure. Soften my heart toward those who have hurt me. I do not feel ready, but I am willing to be made willing. Help me release what I cannot carry and trust you with justice. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about forgiving others?
The Bible calls believers to forgive because God has forgiven them. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) says to forgive one another “as God in Christ forgave you,” and Jesus taught forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:12). Forgiveness reflects the grace we have received.
Do I have to forgive someone who is not sorry?
Forgiveness can begin even without an apology, because it is your choice to release the debt to God. Jesus prayed for his executioners as they crucified him. Reconciliation, however, requires repentance and rebuilt trust, so forgiving does not mean pretending nothing happened or removing healthy boundaries.
How do I forgive someone who hurt me deeply?
Be honest with God about the hurt, remember how much he has forgiven you, and choose to release your right to revenge, often repeatedly. Pray for the person, even briefly. Talk with a trusted believer or counselor, especially for deep wounds. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) roots this in God’s forgiveness of us.
Keep Reading
- Explore more: Bible verses by topic
- Read more daily devotionals
- Start here: what the narrow gate means (Matthew 7:13-14)
- Related: read: Devotional on Reconciliation
- Related: read: Devotional on Loving Your Enemies
- Related: read: Blessed Are the Merciful Devotional
- Related: Father, Forgive Them Meaning (Luke 23:34)
- Related: Devotional on Betrayal