Written by Pastor Jack WellmanTop 17 Bible Verses About Apologizing
There may come a time when we make the mistake of offending or sinning against our friends and family, and if this happens, Christians are to confess ans ask forgiveness to God, and also apologize to that person. A true Christian would try to fix their relationship with those they may have hurt instead of being stubborn and prideful. We shouldn’t let guilt linger and need to apologize as quickly as possible.
Here are our top 17 Bible verses about apologizing to study during times you need to apologize or maybe when you need to accept an apology and offer forgiveness.
Here are 5 stories from the Bible about apologizing to someone:
Confession
They say that confession is good for the soul, and I believe that’s true. James wrote, “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). James sees some connection between healing and forgiving others and praying for others. Perhaps it’s a healing of relationships, but we do know that the prayer of a righteous man has great power, but only because there is a great and powerful God in his prayers.
Reconcile to Your Brother
If we try to pray to God or offer Him some service, but still have a spirit of unforgiven-ness in our hearts, God is not pleased with our offering and will not accept it. Jesus says that “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).
Seventy Times Seven
We are to forgive our brothers and sisters if they ask us to forgive them, and there are no exceptions to this. Jesus warns us, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4). Don’t keep track of the offenses. Once they’re forgiven, they should be forgotten and never brought up again.
Forgive One Another
One of the greatest kindnesses we can extend to others is that of forgiveness. When someone’s sinned against us and we forgive them, we fulfill the command to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:23). There is no excuse for not forgiving others when asked.
The Peacemakers
Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). What does being a peacemaker have to do with apologizing? That’s what apologies do! They bring peace to relationships. A peacemaker seeks reconciliation between themselves and others, but more likely, between other parties who don’t agree. The peacemaker is the one who brings together opposing parties and can help others seek common ground over an issue and preserve a friendship or relationship.
It takes a big person to apologize, and why shouldn’t we? If we’ve offended someone, we should desire to make things right. There are times when we need to humble ourselves and admit we’ve sinned; not “made a mistake,” but actually sinned, and if our brother or sister sins against us, the Old Testament instructs us “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18).
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