Does the Bible instruct us to forgive and forget?
The phrase “forgive and forget” is not found in the Bible. However, there are numerous verses commanding us to “forgive one another” (e.g., Matthew 6:14 and Ephesians 4:32). A Christian who is not willing to forgive others will find his fellowship with God hindered (Matthew 6:15) and can reap bitterness and the loss of reward…
What is lovingkindness in the Bible?
Lovingkindness is a word found in older, more traditional versions of the English Bible, such as the King James (KJV) and the New American Standard (NASB). The Hebrew word most often translated “lovingkindness” is checed, which literally means “covenant loyalty.” Most newer English translations of the Bible substitute more common English words such as faithfulness,…
Why is loving others often so difficult?
Loving others can be extremely difficult at times. A common phrase to refer to those people that we consistently find ourselves challenged to love is “extra grace required” people. But even people we generally like can sometimes be difficult to love. The main reason we run into difficulties in loving others is sin, both ours…
What does the Bible say about the power of words?
Words are not simply sounds caused by our mouths shaping air passing through our larynx. Words have real power. God spoke the world into being by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3). Humans are made in God’s image, and our words also have power. To be clear, human words do not have the power…
How should Christians respond to people who annoy them?
Often, when we are annoyed by someone’s actions, words, or behavior, it is because that person has failed to understand or use a social cue that we think is obvious. The person either cannot or will not interpret the situation correctly and then proceeds to say or do something we see as annoying. Different people…
What is unfeigned love?
The term unfeigned love appears a few times in the Bible, specifically in Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:6, and 1 Peter 1:22, among other places. To feign is to pretend or give a false appearance; thus, unfeigned love is genuine and sincere love, as opposed to feigned love, which is fake and shallow. Romans 12:9…
What does it mean to speak life?
Many Christians have never considered the incredible impact their words can have on other people. God created us to be expressive beings, and the Bible tells us that our words hold the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). Encouragement often comes through spoken words. So does discouragement. “Reckless words pierce like a sword” (Proverbs…
What does the Bible say about penitence?
Penitence is the state of being sorrowful over one’s flaws or actions. To be penitent is to feel repentant of one’s sins. It is to be “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). The penitent have deep remorse that motivates a change in behavior. Penitence does everything possible to make amends. Penitence involves humility, regret, and sorrow…
Is forgetting the past biblical?
The apostle Paul ends a section in Philippians 3 by saying, “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (verses 13–14). Is Paul instructing us to forget everything that…
How should a Christian respond to bullying?
Although we do not find the word bullying in the Bible, we do find the word brutish, a synonym of the brutal thuggery associated with thieves, assassins, and savage beasts (Psalm 49:10; Proverbs 12:1; Isaiah 19:11). The Hebrew and Greek words translated “brute” or “brutish” mean “stupid, foolish, and irrational, as cattle.” We can derive…