Pastor Ralph Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Q45. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tabatha Posted January 1, 2007 Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? When we are hurt it wounds our spirit and our emotions become in control which makes it hard to forgive. When our feelings are hurt ( emotions ) it is hard to let go and we become angry which is another strong emotion. So what happens our thoughts take over and we nurse and rehearse it until it becomes a strong hold for the enemy to play with our feelings telling us we didn't deserve the hurt , so it builds and builds in our mind and the un forgiveness has taken hold. We should be forgiving, just as God has forgiven us. Are you grieving or pleasing God with your attitudes and actions? Act in love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ. just as God acted in love by sendind His Son to die for your sins This is Christ"s law of forgiveness as taught in the gospels ( Matthew 6: 14,15 ; 18: 35 Mark 11:25 0 We also see it in the Lord's prayer-- " forgive us our debt, as we also have forgiven our debtors." God does not forgive us because we forgive others, but solely because of His great mercy. As we come to understand His mercy, however, we will want to be like Him. Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to others. Those who are unwilling to forgive have not become one with Christ. who was willing to forgive even those who crucified Him. ( Luke 23: 34 ) ( Eph. 4:32 ) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? It so difficult to forgive those who hurt us, because we want the other person to feel the pain too, emotionally. And again, we don't forgive because we don't think they are sorry for what they have done or we don't think they deserve to be forgiven. But the bottom line is, misunderstanding forgiveness. According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? We are to forgive just as God forgave us in Christ. What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? A forgiving spirit comes from a person with a kind and compassionate heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cct1106 Posted January 17, 2007 Report Share Posted January 17, 2007 It is difficult because we are imperfect and by it (hurting) being a normal reaction you tent to forget about forgiveness. Our example of forgiveness is God. He gave his Son for us. Heart attitudes should be kind to one another, tenderly compassionate. All each of us have to do is remember the perfect example of God and Jesus Christ. God's Son sacrificed his life for us because of love and for each one of us to be forgiven for the sins we inherited from our first parents, Adam and Eve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eudora Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? Because hurt has been in our creation for a long, long time. When Adam and Eve committed sin and sin entered the human race through the mouth, it was the mouth that would speak into existence every unkind word that would hurt our fellow man. It hurt God to see this happen and as a result, God had to hurt again by coming to the earth in the form of flesh and really take upon Himself, all hurt, all pain, all bitterness, all strife, all sickness, all disease, all of God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken7 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 My natural instinct is a prideful response which tells me, "I cannot forgive them, that hurt too much." -or- "I can forgive them, bit I will NEVER forget!" Christ forgave me of ALL my sin and He is such a great example, I forgive them and release them from any indebtedness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCHRIS Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 This reminds me of an line in an old song, 'Oh Lord its hard to be humble when your perfect in every way'. Pride is probaly the reason [for me] why I find it hard to forgive some people. So coming to God with humilty and asking Him for the strength knowing, 'I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me', this helps me in understanding that I need to forgive otherwise it will just fester into worse things. Jesus Christ is our example. To be kind and compassionate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
June Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Because we don't think they deserve to be forgiveness. But we must remember that Jesus forgave us for our sins. Did we deserve it???No!!! By being kind, compassionate and forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave us. Follow Jesus, do as He does( emulate Him) make Him your role model. Put on that new self, be righteous and holy as is Jesus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiqstart Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? Because we have a hard time forgetting what was done to us, and we don't want it to happen again. Jesus Christ We should be in prayerfor the ones that have hurt us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masika Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 It is easy to ask for forgiveness but difficult to grant it others , whenever we ask God to forgive us for sin , we should ask , Have I forgiven the people who wronged me ? God forgives us not because we forgive others , but solely because of His great mercy , As we come to understand His Mercy , howeve , we will want to be like Him. having received forgiveness we will pass it on to others. Those who are unwilling to forgive have not become one with Christ , who was willing to forgive those who crucified Him. ( Luke 23:34) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustJeff Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 When we are in the flesh, our carnal self, we have a tendency to be hard hearted, not able to forgive. The Lord God is our example by His Son's atoning sacrifice. He is faithful to forgive us if we petition the Son. By verse 32 we should have kindness, tender heartedness and forgiveness as part of our character. That is a refection of our attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethTX Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? Forgiveness takes courage and practice. I have learned to give forgiveness without attachments and conditions. People do not have to earn or beg for forgiveness. You must give it freely and automatically. It is the only way to free yourself of the bondage that destroys your peace and joy with God. The emotions of unforgiveness are so posionous to our minds and emotions that if we are unable to reach the level of forgiveness that God requires, it will affect every aspect of our lives and cause our spirits to be consumed with hatred and regret. You will block the flow of the Holy Spirit in you and you will not be able to go about the business of doing God's Work. The fruits of the Holy Spirit will cease until you are able to overcome your unforgiveness. God is our example. Forgiveness is a gift and it is difinitely "more blessed to give than to receive." Remember that our forgiveness from God is tied to our forgivenss of others. God does not remember transgressions when we have asked for His forgiveness and neither should we. Not only forgive someone, but ask God to bless them. It releases people from the mistakes of the past, so if they choose to do so, they can put on "clean clothes." I must admit that it is difficult to follow God's example when you are dealing with a repeat offendor. You must set your boundaries with these people who know you have a forgiving spirit or they will take advantage of your "easy going ways." Sometimes you must withdraw from a person, but do it with love and forgiveness in your heart. Shake the sand off your sandals when you leave them and go on about the business of doing God's Work. We must be strong and take responsibility for our own actions. In most cases when there are petty problems, it is rare that it is entirely one person's fault. But in cases where something terrible has happened like murder, God please grant us the strength to forgive and put it Your Hands. Bless our enemies. Peace and love, God bless and protect. Amen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJB123 Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? Answer: Maybe we feel that the person who hurts us does not mean it or maybe you always forgive them and they contintually hurt you. Maybe we feel they do not deserve to be forgiven. We must forgive. Who is our example of forgiveness? Answer: God is our example of forgiveness. What heart attitudes towards people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to vs. 32a? Answer: Being kind and tenderhearted, compassionate are attitudes of the heart that is evidence of a forgiving spirit. As I stated above, we must have a forgiving heart. Sometimes we do not feel like forgiving someone, but then we do it anyway because of what is in our heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted February 1, 2007 Report Share Posted February 1, 2007 Forgiving those who have hurt us is hard because the hurt is ever before us. Jesus is our example of forgiveness. He died for us so God would forgive us through Him. You have to will yourself to forgive--knowing that God is behind you 100% & in His power you will be able to forgive. What a freeing act this is. We find that our unforgiveness does nothing to get to that other person--what it does it jail us--sometimes causing illness. Heart attitudes of those who have forgiven are kindness & compassion. Lord, help me to really forgive & love others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Williams Posted February 1, 2007 Report Share Posted February 1, 2007 No one likes to be hurt or even dissappointed. We feel when we are hurt, we want the person responsibe to hurt. In order to get it right you have to be in Christ and have an understanding of what true forgiveness really is. Even then it is hard. We have the flesh and the spirit at war. The flesh just wants to get even, but we know this is not about the other person. Forgiveness is about self and being able to move on. We may feel the person does not deserve our forgiveness. There may be time we might say they have not even earned my forgiveness. God's forgiveness can't be earned, but he forgive us freely. He is the ultimate example of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. We have to have love for people, a giving heart, be Christlike and have compassion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Rupert Posted February 1, 2007 Report Share Posted February 1, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? It is so difficult for me to forgive when I am in SELF. When I am lead by the Spirit, I am compelled to forgive. So I try to remain humble denying the Self of it's **** for pride of it's arrogance and thirst for self righteousness. For my flesh seeks worldly treasures, it seeks worldly desires, and it craves for unclean things. The example given to us by Paul is that God is a merciful, loving & All Forgiving God. And we should follow this example with love and compassion to forgiving not because someone has appologized or because someone has seeked the forgiveness but we should forgive because our father freely forgive/forgave us our sins. The price that was paid for this forgiveness was a hefty price, where our Lord and Savior on the cross bore all our sins, and in the process asking the father to "Forgive them for they know not what they do". Now this is the ultimate forgiveness and no one had to do a single thing to receive it. We didn't have to perform deceitful works to receive this forgiveness and we shouldn't expect to receive these kinds of works when forgiving others of their inequities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 We find it difficult to forgive because we probably believe that the person does not merit forgiveness. We should however always remember that forgiveness is just as grace is, unmerited! God loved the world and sent His one and only one Son to die for our forgiveness even while we were dead in sin. We too should forgive with the same attitute. From what I have just said, God is our perffect example of forgiveness. Jesus, being God, forgave those who crucified him saying that they did not know what they were doing! Kind and tender heart attitute is the pre-requisite for forgiveness according to Ephessians 4:32a. I pray that God will give us the grace to exhibit kind and tender heart attitute and humility so that we will love and forgive all the time no matter how the other person hurts us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted February 3, 2007 Report Share Posted February 3, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? Because of our human nature and the idea that we are right the other person is always wrong we can't or won't forgive. "Be kind18 and compassionate19 to one another, forgiving20 each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (4:32) We are to forgive as Christ forgave us when He said God forgive them they know not what they do. We need an attitude of love, you can't love some one and not forgive them for anything that they may do to you. We need to show the knid of love that Christ show us in giving us the unmerited favor of Grace, a forgiveness that we don't deserve but was given because He could and because He loves us so much. It is only that kind of love that can't truly forgive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda bass Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Sometimes it is difficult to forgive someone because we want them to pay for what they did to us. Or we feel that they don't deserve to be forgiven. God is our example of forgiveness. Just as He forgave us our sins, we should be willing to forgive others. Jesus willingly forgave those who had nailed Him to the cross, so we should willingly forgive those who have wronged us. In fact, by refusing to forgive someone, we are declaring ourselves better than God. Those who have a forgiving spirit are kind and compassionate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sis. dee Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? I think why it is so difficult to foregive is because of our pride and I also think that we put too much trust into that person. God is our example for giveness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minchar Posted February 20, 2007 Report Share Posted February 20, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? Sometimes people hurt us so deeply that it is hard to forgive. We constantly feel the pain of that hurt daily. Christ is our example of forgiveness. We can't expect that person to do or say anything to make the pain or hurt that they caused us to go away. We have to forgive them because forgiveness is undeserved and unearned. Jesus forgave us and constantly forgives us so we should do likewise. Kindness and Compassionate are signs of a forgiving spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sahala p.s. Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? It is so difficult to forgive those who hurt us, because we always think that the person do not deserves forgiveness. According to Ephesians 4:32, our example of forgiveness is God. In Christ God forgave us although we did not deserve it that we hurt Him very much due to our sins. According to verse 32a, kindness and compassion towards each other are the heart attitudes towards people, which are evidence of a forgiving spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sahala p.s. Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? According to Ephesians 4:32, who is our example of forgiveness? What heart attitudes toward people are evidence of a forgiving spirit, according to verse 32a? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewell Posted April 6, 2007 Report Share Posted April 6, 2007 It's difficult to forgive because it hurts and it's hard to release that hurt from inside us. God is our example of forgiveness. Being kind and compassionate is evidence of forgiveness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelOnLine Posted May 17, 2007 Report Share Posted May 17, 2007 Q4. (Ephesians 4:32) Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt us? When we are hurt by someone we withhold our forgiveness because we don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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