Many people these days have not learned how to apologize to those they have offended. Pride prevents a true apology while fostering superficial insincere expressions.
We live in a sinful world and we will sin against others from time to time. If we cannot swallow our pride and ask forgiveness then we remain ill ourselves, without possibility of healing and we destroy the relationship. If ignored long enough the relationship will be completely ruined without chance of recovery.
If we cannot verbally name the specific sin in the apology, chances are good we are not sorry, it takes humility and brokenness over our sin to give us the strength to make it right. Honesty is paramount in this interaction. Refusing to apologize or an insincere apology builds distrust in the one to whom we apologize.
Apologizing simply to make a problem go away, is insincere and does not help us to avoid the same sin again. Having to name it helps us to have an aversion to repeating it.
When we are insincere and repeat sins against others in the same vain as we have in the past it builds intense distrust in others toward us.
As believers we should not be comfortable in our sin against another person. The Holy Spirit deeply convicts those who are His, they will not rest until they have humbled themselves and confessed their sin to those they have hurt.
James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
Spiritual harm comes to those who have sinned and to those they have sinned against. The longer we stubbornly wait to confess sin, the harder our hearts become, the harder it is to confess it.
Those who walk with the Lord are sensitive to hurting their brothers and sisters. IF there is no conscience over hurting others then it may be a clue we are not born again. The Holy Spirit does not let us rest when we are indwelt by Him.
Attached is a very good way of apologizing, it shows humility and deep concern for the one you offended.
No comments:
Post a Comment