Forgiveness is an essential part of building strong relationships, which is why it’s no surprise that the Bible includes dozens of verses about forgiving and forgetting.
Today, we’ll explore some of the most powerful Bible verses on forgiveness and how you can use them to grow closer in your relationships with God and others.
By learning these lessons from the Word of God, we can learn to live a more fulfilled life filled with joy, peace, and love through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Bible Verses About Forgiving and Forgetting
Colossians 3:13
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Isaiah 43:25-26
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.”
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Forgiveness is Required
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Colossians 3:13
“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.”
Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Mark 11:25
“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.”
Also Read: 27 Bible Verses About Choices and Making Decisions
Forgiveness is a Choice
Matthew 18:21-22
“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.'”
Proverbs 19:11
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Romans 12:17-18
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Luke 17:3-4
“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.”
Colossians 3:12-13
“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.”
Forgetting is Possible
Isaiah 43:25
“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
Hebrews 8:12
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Micah 7:19
“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.”
Jeremiah 31:34
“And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Also Read: Top 25 Bible Verses About Selflessness
Forgiveness Brings Freedom
Galatians 5:1
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
James 5:16
“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.”
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Psalm 32:5
“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.”
The Example of Christ
Luke 23:34
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Ephesians 4:1-2
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”
Philippians 2:5-8
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
1 Peter 2:21-23
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Colossians 3:13-14
“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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
Also Read: 25 Encouraging Bible Verses for When Overwhelmed
Application of these Bible Verses in Daily Life
Sure, here are some ways that we can apply these Bible verses on forgiveness and forgetting to our daily lives:
Choose forgiveness: As the Bible verses show, forgiveness is a choice. We can choose to forgive others, even when it’s difficult. This means letting go of anger and bitterness, and choosing to extend grace and mercy to those who have wronged us.
Seek reconciliation: Forgiveness doesn’t always mean forgetting, but it does mean seeking reconciliation. This may involve having a conversation with the person who has hurt us, and working towards restoring the relationship.
Remember God’s forgiveness: We can only forgive others because God has first forgiven us. Remembering God’s grace and mercy towards us can help us extend that same forgiveness to others.
Practice humility: Humility is a key component of forgiveness. Recognizing our own faults and weaknesses can help us extend grace to others who have wronged us.
Let go of grudges: Holding onto grudges and bitterness only harms ourselves. Letting go of these negative emotions can help us move forward and find peace.
Be patient: Forgiveness is often a process, and it may take time to fully let go of hurt and anger. Being patient with ourselves and others can help us work towards healing and reconciliation.
Follow Christ’s example: As the Bible verses show, Christ is the ultimate example of forgiveness and love. By following his example, we can learn to extend grace and mercy to others in our daily lives.
By applying these Bible verses on forgiveness and forgetting to our daily lives, we can experience greater peace, healing, and reconciliation in our relationships with others.
Final Thoughts
The Bible has much to say about forgiveness and forgetting. These verses remind us that forgiveness is required, it is a choice, forgetting is possible, and forgiveness brings freedom. The example of Christ shows us how to forgive and love others, even when it is difficult.
By applying these Bible verses to our daily lives, we can experience greater peace, healing, and reconciliation in our relationships with others. May we always remember to forgive others as God has forgiven us and to seek freedom through His grace.