12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:12 (CSB)
2 For anger kills a fool, and jealousy slays the gullible.
Job 5:2 (CSB)
4 You who tear yourself in anger—should the earth be abandoned on your account, or a rock be removed from its place?
Job 18:4 (CSB)
13 Those who have a godless heart harbor anger; even when God binds them, they do not cry for help.
Job 36:13 (CSB)
5 Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many.
Hebrews 12:15 (CSB)
1. Refuse to retaliate after being treated unfairly.
5 When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached.
2 Samuel 16:5 (CSB)
6 He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left.
2 Samuel 16:6 (CSB)
7 Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!
2 Samuel 16:7 (CSB)
8 The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed!”
2 Samuel 16:8 (CSB)
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and remove his head!”
2 Samuel 16:9 (CSB)
2. Understand that forgiveness is for your sake not theirs.
10 The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’ ” 11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life—how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. 12 Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.”
2 Samuel 16:10-12 (CSB)
13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust.
2 Samuel 16:13 (CSB)
16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David.
2 Samuel 19:16 (CSB)
18 They forded the Jordan to bring the king’s household across and do whatever the king desired. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell facedown before the king 19 and said to him, “My lord, don’t hold me guilty, and don’t remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. But look! Today I am the first one of the entire house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”
2 Samuel 19:18-20 (CSB)
21 Abishai son of Zeruiah asked, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?”
2 Samuel 19:21 (CSB)
22 David answered, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? Have you become my adversary today? Should any man be killed in Israel today? Am I not aware that today I’m king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” Then the king gave him his oath.
2 Samuel 19:22-23 (CSB)
3. Forgiveness is understanding how much you have been forgiven.
32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32 (CSB)
18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,, says the Lord.
Romans 12:18-19 (CSB)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14 (CSB)
4. Forgiveness is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing process.
8 “Keep an eye on Shimei son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim who is with you. He uttered malicious curses against me the day I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan River, and I swore to him by the Lord, ‘I will never kill you with the sword.’ 9 So don’t let him go unpunished, for you are a wise man. You know how to deal with him to bring his gray head down to Sheol with blood.”
1 Kings 2:8-9 (CSB)