Are you struggling with forgiveness? Do you find it hard to let go of past hurts? If so, you’re not alone. Forgiveness can be difficult, but it is also one of the most important aspects of our Christian faith. In this devotional, we’ll read some Powerful Bible Verses about Forgiveness to explore the topic of forgiveness in-depth and discover how to forgive people who have wronged you.
True forgiveness isn’t easy. It can be downright difficult to set aside the feelings of heartbreak or betrayal we feel when someone we trust hurts us. But if we want to move forward in our relationships, we must learn to let go and make peace with the people we love after a disagreement.
Thankfully, God’s Word is full of Bible verses about forgiveness. Through these scriptures, we learn that forgiveness is not only necessary, but it’s also a gift from God. When we forgive others, we’re following the example of Christ and showing God’s love to everyone around us. Plus, we’re freeing ourselves from the burden of anger and resentment and allowing God to heal our hearts.
What is Forgiveness?
Forgiveness is an act of letting go of resentment or anger towards someone who has wronged you. It’s a decision to release them from the debt they owe you and move on with your life without holding a grudge. And it isn’t just about the other person, it’s also a way to free yourself from negative emotions and to find God’s mercy and peace in your life.
It’s no doubt, forgiving isn’t always an easy thing to do. It requires a lot of courage, strength, and compassion. It doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or excusing someone’s bad behavior. Instead, it’s about acknowledging the hurt and making a conscious decision to let go of the pain and move forward.
What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
For a Christian, forgiveness isn’t optional. It’s a commandment straight from our Savior, Jesus Christ. He taught us that we are to forgive others as our Father in Heaven has forgiven us.
This is the most fundamental part of our Christian faith. Without God’s mercy and grace, Christ wouldn’t have died so that our sins could be forgiven. And we wouldn’t be able to love and forgive anyone else either.
Let’s look at some of the best Bible verses about forgiving others.
Best Bible Verses about Forgiveness
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14 ESV
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing 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 3:12-13 ESV
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18:21-22 ESV
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 ESV
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 NIV
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:37-38 ESV
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14-15 New King James Version
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
Why is Forgiveness Important?
Forgiveness is an essential characteristic of a faithful Christian. As believers, we’re called to forgive others just as God has forgiven us. It’s an act of love, mercy, and grace towards others, just as God shows His great love and mercy for us.
Forgiveness also helps us heal our relationships and restore peace with the people who mean the most to us. Because when we forgive someone, we open the door to reconciliation. Then we can focus on the positive things in life and move forward.
Forgiveness is also an act of faith. When we forgive someone, we’re putting our faith in the Lord and trusting that He will take care of the situation. It takes great faith to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply, but it’s necessary for our spiritual growth.
Popular Bible Verses about How to Forgive Others
We’re all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.
Forgiveness is a gift that we can give to others, just as God has given us the gift of forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
When we forgive, we’re acknowledging that we’re not perfect and sometimes mistakes that hurt other people too. Recognizing this simple fact can help us to be more humble, and compassionate, and open ourselves up to receive God’s forgiveness and mercy in our lives.
Ultimately, forgiving others strengthens our relationships with them and brings healing to brokenness.
If forgiveness of others seems like an impossible task, seek strength and wisdom from the Holy Spirit. He is there to guide you during the tough times. And He will help you let go of the anger and bitterness you feel.
Here are some scriptures about the importance of forgiveness to help you get started.
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:25 ESV
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:15 ESV
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24 ESV
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Matthew 5:7 ESV
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luke 6:27 ESV
Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12 ESV
Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:9 ESV
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25:21-22 ESV
These Healing Scriptures will give you comfort.
The Power of Forgiveness in the Bible
Confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness is a crucial part of our relationship with God. And it’s a powerful tool that brings peace and healing to our lives. Confession reminds us who we are in Christ. And it allows us to have compassion and grace towards others, even in the face of their wrongdoing.
So, be kind, be compassionate, and forgive others as God has forgiven you.
Here are a few powerful Forgiveness Scriptures to remember.
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 ESV
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16 ESV
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,
Acts 3:19-20 ESV
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins.
Isaiah 43:25 NKJV
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Acts 17:30-31 ESV
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Acts 22:16 ESV
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 ESV
Bible Verse Art from Master’s Hand Collection
1 John 4:7 Love One Another Art Print
Hebrews 11:1 Now Faith Art Print
Romans 15:13 God of Hope Art Print
Bible Verses about God’s Forgiveness
When we acknowledge our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, God promises that not only does He forgive, He forgets.
And this is how it should be in our relationships with our loved ones too. We forgive and forget the pain they have caused us, and hope they will do the same for us.
Here are some inspiring scriptures about the forgiveness of God. Each one is an excellent example for us to follow in our relationships as we seek to be more Christ-like.
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight
Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:28 ESV
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1 ESV
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:18-19 ESV
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 ESV
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:2 ESV
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins.
Psalm 25:11 NLT
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NKJV
Are you a church leader? These Bible Verses will help you lead with grace and purpose!
Prayer for Forgiveness Scriptures
These Bible verses about forgiveness are a great way to begin a prayer asking God to forgive you. Use one or more of them as a starting point for your forgiveness prayer and ass your own thoughts and feelings. Remember, God is listening, and He promises to forgive and forget when we mess up.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.
Psalm 79:9 NIV
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Psalm 32:5 NIV
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Find peace in these Psalms to Pray when you need God’s help.
How to Ask for Forgiveness
Asking for forgiveness can be a difficult and humbling experience, but if you’ve hurt someone it’s necessary for healing. Here are some simple steps you can take to ask for forgiveness.
- Pray for guidance: Before approaching the person you have wronged, take some time to pray for guidance and wisdom. Ask God to help you approach the situation with humility, compassion, and a willingness to listen.
- Repent of your actions: Acknowledge your wrongdoing and take responsibility. Express genuine remorse and a desire to make things right.
- Confess your transgressions: Be honest and transparent about what you’ve done. Don’t make excuses or try to justify your behavior.
- Ask for forgiveness: Humbly ask the person you’ve hurt for their forgiveness. Be patient and understanding. They may need time to process their emotions and thoughts.
- Make amends: If possible, take steps to make things right. This may involve offering restitution or changing your behavior to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
Forgiveness is ultimately up to the person you have wronged, and it may take time for them to heal and move forward. Trust in God’s plan, His abundant mercy, and immense compassion as you navigate this difficult time.
I truly pray that these Bible Verses about Forgiveness have opened your heart to reconcile with the people in your life and have shown you God’s love and forgiveness in a new light.
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