How can I forgive my rapist?
I was rapped by my step-dad and I’m trying to forgive, but I still live in the same place as him and I find it hard to forgive. I want to because I know it's what God wants, but I don’t know how and I feel helpless.
Matthew 18:21 - 22
ESV - 21 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times? 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
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Paula Fether
Supporter
In Luke 17:3 Jesus said, "Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." So first comes rebuke, then comes repentance, and finally forgiveness. If he has not been rebuked and not repented, you're not obliged to forgive him. It's all too easy for those who haven't been traumatized to say it only hurts you to withhold forgiveness, but God is also a God of justice for victims. I pray there is a way you can get away from him, as it only makes the trauma worse to be forced to be in contact with him.
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