Key Takeaways:

• Forgiveness vs. Condonement: Forgiving someone does not equate to condoning their actions. It is a personal decision to let go of emotional bitterness.

• Impact on Personal Well-being: Holding onto grudges and pain from past wrongs can lead to ongoing emotional distress and prevent personal freedom.

• Spiritual Growth: Forgiveness is a reflection of God's love and can bring understanding and empathy towards the person who caused the hurt.

• Personal Story: Tanya's guest shares a compelling personal story about forgiving a father who never apologized, highlighting the personal liberation that followed.

• God’s Justice: Trusting in God to rectify wrongs rather than seeking personal revenge is a critical aspect of spiritual teaching on forgiveness.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Forgiving someone doesn't mean we're condoning what they did. It doesn't justify the wrongdoing, but it does set us free."

2. "Forgiveness never absolves the person from what they've done. It never condones that abuse, that lie, or betrayal."

3. "Making a decision to forgive just as we've been forgiven."

4. "Why keep paying the price for someone else's crime in your own life over and over again?"

5. "Forgiveness gave me so much more than I could have ever imagined."

The God of the Bible is a talking God. All throughout the Scriptures, God is seen talking to people. First to the prophets, then most fully in Jesus and today through his Holy Spirit. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Spirit speaks to remind us of all that Jesus established and apply it to our lives.

So how does the Spirit speak? How do we know it’s God? And what happens afterwards? Join Rev Dr Tania Harris as she explores what the Spirit is saying to us. Everyday God Conversations will encourage you weekly to reflect on the God-conversations of Scripture, the ultimate God-conversation in Jesus and to hear from the Holy Spirit yourself. Remember, it was never meant to be a one-way conversation!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

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