Ask Pastor Mike Live
Answered on August 20, 2026 at 4:01.
Listen to this answer from 4:01
Pastor Mike’s Answer (edited)
Yes. Jesus teaches that when someone has something against us, we should seek reconciliation, and James 5 tells believers to confess sins to one another. When we have wronged another person, confession and reconciliation normally require an apology.
A genuine apology owns the specific wrong: “I did this, it was wrong, and I am sorry.” Statements such as “I’m sorry you were offended” or “I’m sorry you became angry” shift responsibility to the injured person and do not confess the offender’s conduct.
Even an action that was not inherently sinful may require an apology if it carelessly damaged another believer’s conscience, as Romans 14 warns. Biblical repentance means taking responsibility before God and, when others were harmed, doing what we can to make the relationship right.
Topics: Christian Living Forgiveness Repentance
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