Clearing the Myths About Forgiveness

Let us start here: most people misunderstand forgiveness. And because they misunderstand it, they either refuse to forgive or they try to forgive and feel like they have failed because they still feel the pain.
Let me give you some myths that I want to destroy today.

MYTH 1: Forgiveness means what happened was okay.
No. Forgiveness does not erase the wrong. What was done to you was wrong. God does not ask you to call evil 'good'. He asks you to release your right to be the one who punishes.

MYTH 2: Forgiveness means you forget.
No. The phrase 'forgive and forget' is not in the Bible. God says in Jeremiah 31:34 that He will 'remember their sins no more' — but that is divine choice, not divine amnesia. Forgiveness is a decision, not an emotion.

MYTH 3: Forgiveness means you have to reconcile.
No. Forgiveness is between you and God. Reconciliation requires two people. You can forgive someone fully and still maintain a healthy distance.

MYTH 4: If I still feel pain, I have not truly forgiven.
Wrong. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. You may forgive someone and still feel grief. That is human. The feelings will eventually follow the decision, but we do not wait for the feelings.

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" — Matthew 18:21-22
Seven was the number of completeness in Jewish culture. Peter thought he was being generous. But Jesus essentially said, 'There is no limit on forgiveness.' It is a lifestyle, not a transaction.

Heal The World Podcast by Aaron Esenam Ansah