My topic this week is something that is very basic but is also extremely important. The sooner you master it, the sooner you’ll start reaping the benefits in each and every relationship you have. It will improve your interactions with your spouse, your children, your parents, your siblings, your coworkers, your neighbors, cashiers, waiters, customer service reps--the list goes on and on.

What is this vital life skill, you may wonder? It is learning how to give a genuine, heartfelt apology. Listen in for the details on things all good apologies have in common.

Show Notes VERSES CITED:

- Matthew 5:23-25 - "...leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother..."

- Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

- Psalm 101:5 – “...the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.”

- Ezekiel 36:26 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you..."

- Proverbs 21:4 – “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.”

- James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

- Isaiah 57:15 – “... in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

- Psalm 34:18 – “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.”

- 1 Peter 5:5 - “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes..."

- Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider...”

- Luke 6:42 - "...first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from..."

- Luke 19:41 - "When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it..."

- Luke 13:34 -“...How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her young....”

- Luke 23:34 - “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

- Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

- Colossians 3:12-13 - “...whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you..."

- Matthew 18:21 - "Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I still forgive him? Up to seven times?”

- Luke 17:4 - “Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day... and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

- Romans 6:6 - “What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!”

- Luke 19:6 - "Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy."

- Luke 19:8 - "...half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

- James 5:16 - “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed....”

RELATED LINKS:

- Episode 11: How to Forgive Fully and Freely

- Bad Therapy by Abigail Shrier

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