Forgiveness: What Makes It Easier?Sýnishorn

Forgiveness: They Know Not What They Do

My preschooler is learning self-control, choosing to do the right thing. I tell him, “You don’t have to do everything that comes to mind.”

When he does something wrong, and I ask, “Why did you do that?”, most times he says, “I don’t know.” In frustration, I say, “You need to know what you are doing” or “Don’t tell me you don’t know.”

One day, the Words of Jesus in Luke 22:34 came to mind after the little one said, “I don’t know.”

Luke 23:33-34 (KJV) says, "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."

Believing or having a mindset that most people hurt others because they do not know what they do can help us become unoffendable, less judgmental, and more forgiving. No one in their right mind commits murder, adultery, sexual abuse, and all manner of evil. 

Let’s keep in mind that some people are not in their right mind due to demonic influence. Hence, we should be mindful of the connection between offensive actions and the spiritual realm. Mark 5:15 (KJV) says, “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” Before he came to his right mind, he hurt a lot of people. His encounter with Jesus brought him to his right mind.

When we begin to see those who falsely accuse us or betray us as individuals who need our prayers because they are not in their right mind, forgiveness will be easier. I pray that every offense will lead us to pray for those who hurt us.