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Presented by Lisa Bishop
We have been examining why our words matter, and we’ll wrap up with the power of an apology—how admitting our faults and taking ownership of our misgivings is a worthwhile way to use our words.
The power of an apology is a profound aspect of Christian living. It takes courage and maturity to acknowledge your mistakes, take responsibility for your actions, and seek forgiveness. When you apologize sincerely, you demonstrate humility. In a world where people are quick to point fingers and place blame, admitting guilt will separate you from the crowd. After all, as a follower of Jesus, you are meant to live a life set apart from the practices of the culture around you, and instead conduct yourself with Christlike character.
Who is someone you need to apologize to? Who needs to hear you say the words, “I was wrong.” I know you may feel a lump in your throat or even have an allergic reaction to those words. We sometimes falsely believe admitting a mistake shows a sign of weakness or will in some weird way give others power over us. But that is not true. Listen, saying you were wrong is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. An apology has the power to mend broken relationships and restore trust. It can open the door to meaningful conversations and opportunities for growth.
It’s important to note that when you humble yourself and offer a heartfelt apology, you are not only saying you are sorry, but you are also demonstrating regret and your commitment to make a conscious effort to change your behavior. If you apologize and then neglect to change, you will lose credibility fast, and your future words of remorse will be rendered meaningless. A flippant apology adds insult to injury. We need to be truly sorry for our actions or words. It is important you do not offer excuses for your actions, and you are specific in your apology. If you lost your temper with someone and said hurtful words, it might sound something like this: “I am sorry for losing my temper today and saying things I should not have said. I realize my words were hurtful, and that is not the kind of person I want to be.”
Now, you may be trying to get off the hook and be thinking of all of the reasons the other person is wrong. But this is not about them, this is about you and the part you played in causing hurt or conflict. Fessing up to your mistakes is a function of your integrity. You’re admitting that you are not the person you want to be, and you are a work in progress. As Romans 3:23 says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Who will you apologize to today?
