When is it okay to be forgiving? When somebody's done something wrong, sees what's wrong and isn't exactly proud or boasting 'bout it.
When is it okay to not forgive? When somebody's done something wrong, sees what's wrong and is proud 'bout it, or doesn't see what's wrong and is blaming somebody else, especially the person they did wrong to. Also, it's okay not to forgive if somebody's done something wrong, sees what's wrong, feels sorry 'bout it, then does it again, sees what's wrong, feels sorry 'bout it, does it again, etc. At one point, it's just one time too many, and the feeling sorry 'bout it's turned worthless.
What exactly do you think forgiveness is, and how does it differ from mercy? Forgiveness is to forget 'bout a certain thing somebody's done wrong and never coming back on it, along with seeing and treating that person the same as before. Mercy doesn't have anything to do with somebody having done something wrong. It's more a matter of compassion... putting yourself in the other person's shoes and making sure that, although the situation's suggesting otherwise, you won't harm the other person, taking his point of view into concideration as well. Dunno if this makes sense when reading, but can't put it better under words.
|