Learning to Forgive

Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. — Matthew 18:21-22

Have you ever wondered why some people hold a grudge and have a hard time forgiving others who have wronged them.  It’s because they’ve never LEARNED to forgive. Forgiveness, like many other virtues, is something we must learn to do (Phil. 4:11; Isa. 1:17; Mt. 11:29).

How do we learn to forgive? The same way a person learns how to play the piano, pitch a baseball, or hit a golf ball—By practice! The more you practice, the easier it becomes and the better you get at it.

We must practice forgiving. But to practice forgiveness, you need someone to forgive.  Therefore, God allows hurtful people and situations to come into your life that you need to forgive.  If you are never wrongfully hurt, you have nothing to forgive and no reason to forgive.

So, until you learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness, God will continue to send one offender after another until you get the message. Some people are just “slow learners.”