What Makes an Apology Sincere?

  An apology is an overt act of expressing regret and sorrow for a behavior that resulted in pain and suffering for another person. An apology must display remorse and repentance. Listen to Philippians 2:3: “Don’t be selfish, but rather be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.”

Selfish ambition blocks an apology from reaching a positive outcome because the best interest of the offended person is missing. For instance if an apology is just to stave off guilt, then restoration will be incomplete. If a victim views an apology as insincere, then hope for a relationship to be restored is lost.

A sincere apology is offered for the good of the offended person. Most people are humble enough to respond graciously when an apology is offered, for it takes humility for an offense to be forgiven. If you are reluctant to be humble, remember Jesus humbled himself and died on the cross just for you.  

___________ 

“God opposes everyone who is proud, but he is kind to everyone who is humble.” 

~James 4: 6 Contemporary English Version    

 Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  

~Ephesians 4:2 The Living Bible

___________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Trade in Your Pride for Peace

Forgiveness is a wonderful thought, but difficult to accomplish. While you believe forgiveness is the right thing to do, resistance may surround you like a heavily guarded fortress blocking the way forward. Forgiveness is often locked up inside invisible walls accompanied by strong feelings of pride and arrogance.



Pride prevents us from being humble enough to make apologies for causing pain and suffering to others. Some erroneously believe that giving up their pride to secure forgiveness would lead to their downfall. This gives credibility to the old cliché, “Pride goes before the fall.” In truth, arrogance or being overconfident is what leads to failure.

Isaiah 2:11 speaks to the issue of pride. "A day is coming when human pride will be ended, and human arrogance destroyed. Then the Lord alone will be applauded.”  Pride can cut you off from reconciliation and peace. Open yourself to the cleansing power of Christ so you will be able to give or receive forgiveness today.

____________________________

Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.

~Proverbs 16:18 Good News Bible

It’s common knowledge that, “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”

~James 4:6 The Message

Live in harmony with each other. Do not be arrogant, but associate with humble people. Do not think that you are wiser than you really are.

~Romans 12:16 International Standard Version