What exactly is the definition of forgiveness? I want to forgive, but I don’t exactly know the actual meaning of it. Does it mean I let go of wanting revenge? Does it mean I do right by them even through they have done wrong to me?
This is the Definition, every usage in the New Testament is the same.
FORGIVENESS:
G859
ἄφεσις
aphesis
af'-es-is
From G863; freedom; (figuratively) pardon: - deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.
G863
ἀφίημι
aphiēmi
af-ee'-ay-mee
(to send; an intensive form of εἶμι eimi (to go)); to send forth, in various applications: - cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.
Personally, I always use another word in conjunction with Forgiveness based upon a verse from Psalms, it places the word into a different light when we understand how God Forgives us, if we use this word as an example we should do the same, where Forgiveness doesn't give you the full answer to your question, while this word I believe will round it out to a fuller understanding of just what Forgiveness is and entails.
The word is FORGET.
In the New Testament.
FORGET:
G1950
ἐπιλανθάνομαι
epilanthanomai
ep-ee-lan-than'-om-ahee
to lose out of mind; by implication to neglect: - (be) forget (-ful of).
In the Old Testament, we read how God Forgives us.
Psa 103:10-14
10) He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11) For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12)
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14) For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
Old Testament
FORGET:
H7911
שָׁכֵחַ שָׁכַח
shâkach shâkêach
shaw-kakh', shaw-kay'-akh
A primitive root; to mislay, that is, to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention: - X at all, (cause to) forget.
While this word is not used in Psa. 103 it is used 52 times in 49 verses,
About 99% of those times, it is Defined as above.
Whenever I have needed to forgive someone a serious wrong, I think of both Forgiveness and Forgetting.
I believe that if we don't forget the wrong, we are still harboring malice in our heart toward that person, it keeps coming back to our mind, and we get angry.
Jesus gave us understanding on Forgiveness.
Mat 6:14,15
14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
My understanding of Forgiving and Forgetting is, if we do not forget, we have not fully Forgiven,
Therefore, we have only truly Forgiven, when we have in fact Forgotten, I for one want to Forget the wrong as soon as I possibly can, so my prayers are not hindered because of Un-Forgiveness.
