7 of 8 - Why Should I Forgive My Spouse: How To Pray For Your Marriage Lessons And Principles From Jesus

Show notes

About This Episode In this episode, we dive into Matthew 6:12 and the importance of forgiveness in marriage. We talk about what it means to be a debtor and how Jesus teaches us to pray for forgiveness and to forgive as we have been forgiven by Christ. We explain why forgiveness is something separate from reconciliation: forgiveness opens the door, and reconciliation requires repentance. We share how you can forgive even when there is no apology, why keeping a record of offenses builds a negative identity of your spouse and leads to bitterness, and how to face the challenge of repeat offenses. Forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice, and it sets us free and transforms us. We encourage couples to rely on God and pray for the humility and grace to forgive often in marriage.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode Forgive us our debts — Jesus teaches us to pray for forgiveness in Matthew 6:12. What it means to be a debtor — Understanding the debt we owe and the debt we have been forgiven. Forgiveness vs reconciliation — Forgiveness opens the door; reconciliation requires repentance. Forgiving without an apology — You can forgive those who never say sorry, or who have died. Forgiven by Christ — Why withholding forgiveness treats an offense as greater than our sin against Him. Repeat offenses — The challenge of forgiving the same hurt again in marriage. A negative identity — How a record of offenses breeds bitterness toward your spouse. A choice, not a feeling — Forgiveness sets us free even if the debt remains. Relying on God — Bringing forgiveness to God in prayer and asking Him to help us forgive.

Scripture Referenced Matthew 6:12

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