"When we forgive evil we do not excuse it, we do not tolerate it, we do not smother it. We look the evil full in the face, call it what it is, let its horror shock and stun and enrage us, and only then do we forgive it"
- Lewis B. Smedes
About this Quote
This quote by Lewis B. Smedes speaks with the power of forgiveness. He recommends that when we forgive evil, we do not disregard it or pretend it does not exist. Rather, we need to challenge it head on and recognize its scary. We need to allow ourselves to be shocked and infuriated by it, and just then can we forgive it. This quote highlights the significance of acknowledging the wrongs that have been done, and not just sweeping them under the rug. It is just when we totally understand the gravity of the circumstance that we can genuinely forgive. Forgiveness is not about excusing or enduring wicked, but rather about acknowledging it and then choosing to move forward.
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