The Book of Proverbs
Part 17
“Forgiving Hearts”
Part 1
“Tool”
“Something regarded as necessary to the carrying out of one's occupation or profession.”
(American Heritage Dictionary)
Every job has “Tools of the Trade”.
“Tools regarded as necessary to the carrying out of one's occupation or profession.”
(American Heritage Dictionary)
God’s Tool Box
Includes all of the Promises and Truths in the Bible:
Forgiveness!
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, [Forgives] but whoever repeats the matter [Doesn’t let it go] separates close friends.”
-Proverbs 17:9
In most cases it seems as if
Forgiveness is a process.
MAYBE one of the most important things to keep in mind.
Q: Why do I say that it is helpful to view forgiveness as a process.
1.We are often not in the mood to give it.
We may feel like it is giving a pass to the other person.
Letting them off the hook when we want them to hurt.
Blood, sweat and tears…
2. In giving forgiveness, we may feel like a
“Forgiveness Failure”
because we may still get “triggered” and think that we must have not forgiven the other person(s).
Triggers can be predictable as well as unpredictable.
*(Come out of nowhere)
Hurts often have anniversaries.
*Predictable
2. In receiving forgiveness, we may feel like a
“Forgiveness Failure”
because we don’t feel as if we deserve it.
“For God so loved the world that he GAVE his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- John 3:16
We are asked to forgive others because God has forgiven us!
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
-Ephesians 4:32
Q: Why are we not kind to ourselves?
Forgiveness is a Process
“Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven [Number of completeness] times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
Matthew 18:21+
“Un-Forgiveness” = Our keeping a RECORD of sin when God does not.
“If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness … hope.”
(Ps. 130:3-5)
“Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
- Colossians 3:13
- If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
-1 John 1:9
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
- Matthew 6:12
Three Keys to Forgiving
1. Give up your right to hurt them back.
2. Humanize them.
3. Genuinely want good for them in the future.
Outcomes of Forgiveness
(Best outcome)
Person 1 ASKS for forgiveness; Person 2 GIVES forgiveness
Person 1 DOES NOT ASK for forgiveness; Person 2 GIVES forgiveness
Person 1 ASKS for forgiveness; Person 2 DOES NOT GIVE forgiveness
Person 1 DOES NOT ASK for forgiveness; Person 2 DOES NOT GIVE forgiveness
(Worst outcome)
Prayer
Lord, help me to be in the process of Receiving forgiveness from you and others.
And help me to be in the process of Giving forgiveness, that I might have the heart of Jesus and see all of your blessings fulfilled in my life.
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