Releasing others and oneself from the burden of sin through God's grace.
Forgiveness: Releasing Others and Ourselves Through God’s Grace
Forgiveness is not a minor side issue in the Christian life; it is at the very heart of the gospel and a major key to spiritual freedom, answered prayer, and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. Where forgiveness is withheld, the flow of divine life is hindered. Where forgiveness is released, the Holy Spirit moves freely.
1. The Biblical Definition of Forgiveness
Key Biblical Terms
Old Testament (Hebrew)
Several Hebrew words are used for forgiveness:
נָשָׂא (nasa’) – “to lift, carry, take away.”
Used of God “bearing” or “lifting away” sin (e.g., Exodus 34:7). Forgiveness is God lifting the burden of guilt off a person.
סָלַח (salach) – “to forgive, pardon.”
This verb is used almost exclusively of God forgiving sin (e.g., Psalm 103:3). Forgiveness is a divine act of pardon.
כָּפַר (kaphar) – “to cover, atone.”
Often translated “make atonement” (Leviticus 16:30). It signifies covering sin so that it no longer stands exposed before God’s judgment.
New Testament (Greek)
ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) – “to send away, release, let go, cancel.”
This is the primary word for “forgive.” It is used of:
Sending away a debt (Matthew 18:27)
Releasing a person (John 20:23)
Forgiving sins (Mark 2:5)
Forgiveness, then, is a release—a sending away of sin, guilt, or debt.
χάριζομαι (charizomai) – “to freely give, to show grace, to graciously forgive” (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).
From charis (grace). Forgiveness is a grace-gift, not something earned.
A Working Definition
Biblically, forgiveness is:
The gracious act of releasing a person (including oneself) from the debt and guilt of sin, on the basis of Christ’s atonement, so that the offense is no longer held against them.
It is not:
Denial of wrong
Approval of sin
The same as reconciliation (though it opens the door to it)
Merely an emotion
It is a decision of the will, in obedience to God, to release a debt and entrust justice to Him.
2. Old Testament Foundation
Forgiveness is not a New Testament invention. It is rooted deeply in the revelation of God under the Old Covenant.
a) The Character of God
God reveals Himself as a forgiving God:
“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth… forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6–7).
“You are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness” (Nehemiah 9:17).
Forgiveness flows from who God is, not from human merit.
b) The Sacrificial System
The Law taught Israel that sin brings guilt and requires atonement:
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11).
Through sacrifices:
Sin was covered (kaphar).
Guilt was symbolically transferred to an innocent substitute.
The people were ceremonially cleansed.
The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) is especially important. Two goats were used:
One was slain—its blood brought into the Holy of Holies.
The other, the scapegoat, had the sins of Israel confessed over it and was sent into the wilderness, symbolizing sins being carried away (nasa’).
This foreshadowed Christ, who would both die for our sins and carry them away (John 1:29).
c) Forgiveness Between People
The Law also addressed interpersonal forgiveness:
“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge… but you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).
The Psalms and Prophets model repentance and receiving God’s forgiveness:
David’s confession: “I acknowledged my sin to You… and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).
God’s promise: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
The Old Testament sets the stage: God is willing to forgive, but a perfect, final sacrifice is needed.
3. The Fulfillment in Christ
In Jesus, forgiveness moves from symbol to substance, from shadow to reality.
a) Jesus’ Authority to Forgive
Jesus did not merely talk about forgiveness; He exercised divine authority:
To the paralytic: “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:5).
When the scribes accused Him of blasphemy, He replied:
“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…” (Mark 2:10).
He demonstrated this authority by healing the man’s body. Forgiveness and healing were linked.
b) Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness
The Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
Jesus then adds a solemn warning:
“If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
Unlimited forgiveness:
Peter asked if forgiving seven times was enough. Jesus replied:
“I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23–35) shows:
We owed God an unpayable debt.
God freely forgave us.
If we refuse to forgive others their comparatively small debts, we come under torment.
Unforgiveness invites spiritual torment—bondage, oppression, and inner darkness.
c) The Cross: The Ground of All Forgiveness
At the cross, Jesus fulfilled all the Old Testament types:
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7).
“Without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).
On the cross, Jesus prayed:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
He modeled forgiveness in the moment of greatest injustice. His blood is the legal basis on which God forgives us and calls us to forgive others.
d) The New Covenant Promise
Under the New Covenant:
“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17; cf. Jeremiah 31:34).
God’s forgiveness is not partial or temporary. He chooses not to remember—He does not hold our sins against us.
4. The Power for Today: The Holy Spirit and Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not merely a moral duty; it is a supernatural work empowered by the Holy Spirit. Many believers struggle to forgive because they try to do it in human strength. But the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11) lives in us to enable us to forgive the seemingly unforgivable.
a) The Holy Spirit Applies Christ’s Forgiveness to Us
When we are born again:
The Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8).
We respond in repentance and faith.
God justifies us and forgives us (Romans 3:24–26).
The Holy Spirit then bears witness:
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).
He assures us that we are forgiven and accepted. Many believers need this inner witness to break the power of condemnation (Romans 8:1).
b) The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Forgive Others
Forgiveness is part of the new nature:
“The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5).
We forgive not by mustering human love, but by releasing God’s love that is already in our hearts by the Spirit.
Paul commands:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13).
The standard is “as God in Christ” and “as Christ forgave you.” That is impossible without the Spirit’s power—but entirely possible with Him.
c) Forgiveness and Spiritual Warfare
Unforgiveness is a major foothold for the enemy:
“Nor give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27) is stated in the context of anger and bitterness.
In 2 Corinthians 2:10–11, Paul urges forgiveness “lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
The devil traffics in bitterness, resentment, and offense. When we choose to forgive, we shut the door to demonic oppression and torment.
In deliverance ministry, unforgiveness is often one of the first issues the Holy Spirit targets. Many believers are not fully free because they cling to bitterness. When they forgive, demons lose their legal ground and must leave.
d) The Authority of the Believer and Forgiveness
Jesus gave His disciples remarkable authority:
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:23).
This does not mean we replace God’s role as Judge, but that:
We have authority to announce and apply God’s forgiveness in the gospel.
We have authority to release people from personal debts against us.
When you forgive someone, you are exercising spiritual authority to cancel their debt toward you. This can break spiritual chains over both your life and theirs.
e) Expecting the Holy Spirit to Move as You Forgive
Forgiveness is often the doorway to:
Inner healing – emotional wounds begin to close.
Physical healing – many testify of healing after releasing bitterness (see James 5:16).
Deliverance – evil spirits lose their grip when legal grounds are removed.
Renewed intimacy with God – the flow of the Spirit is restored (Mark 11:25).
Approach forgiveness with faith:
Expect the Holy Spirit to bring names and situations to mind.
Expect Him to empower your will to choose forgiveness.
Expect Him to confirm your obedience with inner peace and, often, tangible manifestations of freedom.
5. Practical Application: Steps to Walk in Forgiveness
Here are concrete steps for walking in this truth, both toward others and yourself.
Step 1: Receive God’s Forgiveness Fully
You cannot give what you have not received.
Come to God honestly, confessing your sins (1 John 1:9).
Believe that the blood of Jesus really cleanses you (Hebrews 9:14).
Renounce self-condemnation and agree with God’s Word:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
Verbally thank God for forgiving you. Thanksgiving seals faith.
If God has forgiven you, you have no right to hold yourself under a sentence He has lifted.
Step 2: Ask the Holy Spirit to Reveal Any Unforgiveness
Pray sincerely:
“Holy Spirit, show me anyone I need to forgive—past or present, living or dead, including myself.”
Write down the names that come to mind:
People who hurt you.
Institutions or groups.
Yourself.
Even where you feel offended at God (you must repent of that, but you can still talk to Him about it honestly).
The Spirit is faithful to bring things into the light (John 16:13).
Step 3: Choose to Forgive by an Act of the Will
Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling. You may pray something like this, name by name:
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I choose to forgive [Name]. I release them from every debt they owe me—emotional, financial, physical, or spiritual. I cancel their debt. I give up my right to revenge, to bitterness, and to rehearsing this pain. I place them into Your hands as Judge and Savior. I bless them in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Do this out loud if possible. Your words carry spiritual authority (Proverbs 18:21).
You may need to repeat this decision when old feelings surface. That does not mean you have not forgiven; it means you are standing in your decision until your emotions align.
Step 4: Renounce Bitterness and Break Its Power
After you forgive, address bitterness itself:
“In the name of Jesus, I renounce all bitterness, resentment, hatred, and desire for revenge. I break agreement with these spirits and attitudes. I command every spirit that has gained access through unforgiveness to leave me now and never return, in Jesus’ name.”
Then ask the Holy Spirit to fill those areas:
“Holy Spirit, fill me with Your love, peace, and compassion. Heal my heart where it has been wounded. Restore what was broken.”
Expect the Spirit to move—many experience release, tears, deep peace, or even physical manifestations of deliverance.
Step 5: Walk Out Forgiveness Practically
Forgiveness is a decision, but it also has fruit:
Refuse to rehearse the offense in your mind or conversation.
Bless those who hurt you (Luke 6:27–28).
Pray for their salvation and restoration.
Where appropriate and safe, seek reconciliation (Romans 12:18).
(Note: Forgiveness does not always mean restoring the same level of trust; wisdom and boundaries may still be needed.)
If condemning thoughts about yourself arise, answer them with Scripture:
“I am forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus” (1 John 1:7,9).
“He has cast all my sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
6. Key Scriptures and Brief Commentary
Ephesians 4:32
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Our forgiveness of others is rooted in God’s forgiveness of us. We do not forgive to earn forgiveness; we forgive because we have been forgiven.
Matthew 6:14–15
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive… neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Forgiveness is not optional. Persistent refusal to forgive blocks our experience of God’s forgiveness and hinders our fellowship with Him.
Colossians 2:13–14
“He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us… And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
Our sin-debt was a real, legal record. At the cross, God wiped it out and nailed it there. This is the foundation for forgiving others’ debts toward us.
Mark 11:24–25
“Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him…”
Faith for answered prayer is directly connected to forgiveness. Unforgiveness is one of the greatest hindrances to effective prayer.
Hebrews 10:17–18
“Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”
God’s forgiveness is complete and final. There is no more sacrifice needed. This gives us boldness to approach God without lingering guilt (Hebrews 10:19–22).
Psalm 103:10–12
“He has not dealt with us according to our sins… As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
A powerful Old Testament picture of the extent of God’s forgiveness. East and west never meet; our sins are irretrievably removed.
Matthew 18:32–35
“Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?”
The parable of the unforgiving servant reveals that refusing to forgive after being forgiven is wicked in God’s sight and leads to torment. Forgiveness is a protection, not a burden.
Final Encouragement
Forgiveness is not weakness; it is spiritual warfare. It is not denial; it is alignment with the cross. It is not a feeling; it is a faith-filled decision empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As you receive God’s forgiveness and choose to forgive others and yourself, expect:
Strongholds to break,
Torment to lift,
The voice of condemnation to grow quiet,
And the flow of the Holy Spirit to increase in your life.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Forgiveness is one of His primary pathways into that liberty.