Don't Make Sorry A Strategy

There has been a long list of books and messages on the power of saying 'sorry' especially as it relates to our relationship with our fellow men. Some Christians have also been taught the importance of asking God for forgiveness and how merciful he is to always forgive our sins. As a result of the emphasis laid on these teachings, many people have decided to weaponize sorry and apology. In their relationships, sorry has become their best strategy but they are probably unaware that it is a bad strategy.

Having the humility to say sorry when we do wrong is quite good but there is something even better which is what God wants from all of us. God wants you to be that person that always does things right and not the one who repeatedly does wrong and sincerely asks for forgiveness or says sorry. God wants you to learn how not to hurt people and how not to sin, not just how to say sorry when you do. When you consistently do wrong or consistently live a careless life, saying sorry only reinforces the negative behavior and strengthens bad habits.

Apostle John said, 'My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.' I can hear your wife, your mum, your friend, your neighbor, and God saying to you, 'I wish you do the right thing instead of saying sorry to me'. I write unto you that you sin not. You should be that person that is known for doing the right thing and not the one that is known for saying plenty of sorry and starting prayers with 'forgive me..'. You can! You can be that excellent person before God and man. When you're told or expected to do something at home or in church, learn to do it right and not to apologize for not doing it at all or doing it badly.

Demand perfection from yourself. Believe in it and build yourself up to be an excellent person. Sometimes sorry is just an excuse to do something wrong or in a bad way. Some people even feel it is their right to be forgiven when they say sorry. They want to emotionally blackmail people with their 'sorry'. 'But I've said that I'm sorry nah' they shout because to them saying sorry is the cure for all wrong. Sometimes the best way to say we are sorry is not to do something that will make us say it.

Finally, learn to actually say sorry when you do wrong. When the wrong is already done, apologizing may be the best way to deal with it. The completion of John's statement that we referenced above reads: 'My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.' (1 John 2:1). In addition, learn to forgive and forget, remember your heavenly Father also forgives you. Jesus taught us to forgive as a prerequisite for seeking forgiveness from God.