Learn these 46 Powerful Pictures of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is hard. It’s stubborn. There is no automatic, easy way to learn how to do it.

When you are wronged it hurts. It stays with you. Just driving by certain streets or scrolling past certain pictures can easily trigger those old emotions.

How do you deal with that hurt?

Do you stuff it? Minimize it? Pretend that it’s not that big of a deal? You might have harbored hurt for so long you’ve become numb to it. No matter how good you are at disguising it, eventually, bitterness starts to grow.

God warns us that root of bitterness causes trouble. You’ve felt it. You snap back more harshly. You lose patience more quickly.

That’s no way to live.

Wouldn’t it be nice to let that go?

Here’s the deal. We all WANT to forgive. We know harboring resentment isn’t healthy. We’ve heard the quotes about how it’s like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. No one WANTS to hold on to hurt.

So why is it so hard to forgive?

1. Anger is addictive.

It just feels good to be mad sometimes. To this day when I think through times I’ve been hurt I can feel the emotion coming up. It’s energizing, but it’s exhausting.

2. Our instinct is to self-protect.

Forgiveness is vulnerable. No one likes to open themselves up to the chance of being hurt again.

So how do we learn to forgive?

God knows what it’s like to be wronged.

There is a powerful moment when Jesus is hanging on the cross. It is the greatest act of rebellion against Him. It’s the moment of deepest pain. It’s right when Jesus is most vulnerable. And when He would be most justified to express anger. Instead, He asks God to forgive them (Luke 23:34).

Jesus modeled what is arguably the most God-like quality of all: Forgiveness.

It was because of this powerful picture on the Cross that the Roman Centurion guarding Him concluded He must be God (Mark 15:39).

Jesus modeled what is arguably the most God-like quality of all: Forgiveness.

Of course, on the cross, Jesus was paying our debt and achieving our salvation, but he was also setting us an example.

John MacArthur says, “If God is never more like Himself than when He forgives, man is never more like God than when he forgives.”

We are to follow the example of Jesus. We are also to be motivated by the forgiveness we have already received from Jesus (Matthew 18:21-35).

While we might find forgiveness difficult, it is essential (Matthew 6:15).

Put it into Practice:

This week I was studying through the book of Philemon and was reminded of how powerful forgiveness can be. Thankfully, God does not leave us in the dark as far as how to forgive.

Yes, we must acknowledge the truth of our own forgiveness. But granting forgiveness to others isn’t just cerebral; it’s emotional as well.

To help us God has given countless examples and pictures of forgiveness in the Scriptures. I have found that meditating on these word pictures has been a powerful exercise to 1) realize the extent to which God has forgiven me and 2) to allow my heart to release hurt I’ve experienced from others.

Meditating on Forgiveness

Below is a list of 46 “word pictures” of forgiveness. Most derive from passages where the word “Aphiemi” is used. Aphiemi is the Greek word often translated as forgive (those Scriptures are listed). The other examples derive from the meaning of the word “Aphiemi” itself.

The following are translations, metaphors, and meanings of the concept of forgiveness in the Scriptures. The word Aphiemi literally means = to send away. That’s what forgiveness does. God sent our sins away on the cross and calls us to do the same.

**The list of word pictures is below. There is a PDF download of the handout as well so you can print it off and use it with others.

The list of terms signify what forgiveness means, how God forgives and/or how you should respond to hurt.

Think of a specific hurt you have felt. Imagine that person or that event. Slowly process through the list of word pictures. Look up the verses for the ones that stand out. Then, pray through each of these words until you land on one you feel the Holy Spirit is bringing to your attention. Stop there. Allow God to help you “release” that hurt until the forgiveness becomes real.

Word Pictures of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is almost a vice in our world today. This cancel-culture celebrates vengeance, “gotcha” moments and getting what you deserve, As Christians, we have the chance to be lights in a dark world. We can be people who offer the grace of forgiveness–for our benefit and for the glory of God.

Tell me, which of the words was most powerful for you? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. I love diving into the Scriptures like this. This Forgiveness study came out of what I was learning in Philemon. I’m on a journey studying through the New Testament and loving it! If you want to check out some of the tools and resources I’m using check out this page: LINK TO DEVOTIONAL TOOLS