How do I forgive someone who hurt me?
Forgiveness means releasing a debt against someone the way God released ours — a decision we make, with his help, even before the feelings follow.
Scripture roots our forgiveness in God’s: “Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Because we have been forgiven so much, we are freed to extend forgiveness to others.
Forgiveness is not pretending the wrong never happened or instantly feeling warm toward the person. It is choosing not to hold the offense over them or repay evil for evil, leaving justice to God (Romans 12:19). Jesus tied our experience of being forgiven to our willingness to forgive others (Matthew 6:14–15).
This is often a process, not a single moment — sometimes forgiving “seventy times seven” as the memory returns (Matthew 18:21–22). Praying for the person and asking God for the grace to release them is where many people begin.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.