Myths of Forgiveness

1. If they don’t repent, I should not forgive.

2. Forgiving will not make the other person change their behavior, therefore it is a waste of time. I want them to change and apologize before I forgive them.

3. I should only forgive if they apologize.
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4. Forgiveness means rebuilding the relationship.

5. Forgiving someone means allowing them to hurt you over and over.

6. Forgiveness requires release from consequences.

7. Forgiving is ignoring sin.

8. The result of forgiveness is we can now trust the offender.

9. Forgiving is forgetting.
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10. If I forgave, I’d be letting that person off the hook.

11. Offering forgiveness implies that what the other person did was OK.

12. Forgiveness is a sign of weakness.
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13. Forgiveness is merely an act or a decision.

14. Forgiveness is always easy.

15. Forgiveness can’t be repeated.

16. I only need to forgive someone once. Any future negative feelings are to be ignored.
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17. Forgiveness is condoning.

18. Forgiveness is the same as reconciliation.

19. Erring institutions rather than the people in them need our forgiveness.

20. Forgiveness depends on repentance.

21. Forgiveness is something I do for the other person.

22. Forgiveness requires telling the other person that you have forgiven them.

23. Forgiveness is having the satisfaction of not letting the person get to me.

24. Its easiest to forgive the ones we love the most.

25. Forgiving means I’m no longer hurting.

26. Acts of restitution to us is the same as being forgiven.

27. If the pain is too much, you don’t have to forgive.

28. Carrying sorrow and remorse help make up for the sin.

29. The longer the time since we sinned the less the need for forgiveness.

30. Forgiveness is about feeling.

31. Forgiving non-Christadelphians is optional.

32. It’s obvious you have already forgiven someone if you can’t remember it.

33. Some people are born with the ability to forgive and some are not.

34. Forgiving others isn’t that important.

35. It is good to wait for the one good time to forgive the other person.

36. It’s not OK to ask for an apology.

37. I must hold positive feelings for the person I am forgiving.

38. Forgiveness is putting the offender on probation while we promise to forget it providing no other offences are forthcoming.

39. If I forgive, I won’t get hurt again.

40. I need to understand why before I can forgive.

41. The result of forgiveness is we can now trust the offender.

42. No forgiveness is necessary if the offender did not intend the wrong.

43. Some people are unforgivable.

44. You cannot forgive the dead.

45. You need to be religious to forgive someone.

46. Forgiveness is accepting what has happened and knowing that God will punish them.

47. Forgiveness is becoming less disappointed.