The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Have you ever had someone tell you "I'm sorry" that wasn't? Have you ever had someone say those two words, only to keep doing the very same horrible thing they said they were sorry for?

Sometimes "I'm sorry" just means "forgive me?"

It doesn't really mean that they feel bad for what they did as much as they feel bad they got caught doing wrong.

To me "I'm sorry" should be accompanied by some sort of action greater than just an apology.

The verbal apology should be matched by future acts of contrition.

I don't think any of us believe that repentance only involves words.

Another thing that bugs me is when people hurt other people really, really bad and then make up some line about how they were "just joking."

"Just joking" is cover for "I don't care that I hurt you, and didn't even for a minute consider the implications of my actions and words."

Is it too much to ask that when an apology is made, people should really mean it?

Otherwise just shut up and move on. Your words are meaningless.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Even worse are the apologies that aren't really even apologies;

"I'm sorry that you feel that way".

If anything ever makes me want to smack a person, it is those words.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Well.........................I'm sorry that you feel that way. :toofunny

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Yes, it puts the onus back on the one who has been hurt.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

It's like when you're a kid and you get in a fight with your brother and your dad makes you shake hands and say I'm sorry.

You don't mean it.

Your brother doesn't mean it.

But Dad thinks it's the right thing to say, so you both say it.

To me, that sort of apology is meaningless.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

ROFL :toofunny

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I knew that one was coming, just waiting to see who would be the smart alec!! :toofunny :toofunny

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Exactly! :girlytantrum

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I hate fake apologies!!!!! The worst ever: "I'm sorry that you think I ____________."

Don't even bother.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I don't care whether they are sorry or not....

I just forgive and get on with life...

It's too short to carry a grudge....

Just be kind to everybody...

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Apparently, you are a goody-two-shoes!

I'm sorry I am not PERFECT like you, Mr. Graham!:toofunny

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I think this is easier said than done, but of course it can be done. It's just a lot easier when folks say they're sorry, and really mean it. It's disarming, even for the most heinous offenses.

Do good to those who despitefully use you and persecute you? I'm for that. But don't be so quick to let those who owe apologies off the hook.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Why not??

Jesus simply said...Turn the the other cheek....

I refuse to carry someone else's problems..it's unfair to me..#1...unfair to my wife...and my kids....and to my other friends...

I am not cheapening any body's experience...because there are terrible things that happen...and sometimes only forgiveness comes by the Grace of God....but for the petty things....money.....whatever....it ain't going to matter what's done is done... am I sad for those things...yep....

Attitude is all about choice... I just prefer not to dwell on what will pull me down....It's not worth it... So I wake up...smile at my wife....and my kids...and get on with life...

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I don't mean those who have offended you personally! LOL!!! But in a setting of a discussion...you should spend just as much time encouraging folks to apologize for wrongdoing as you do others to practice forgiveness. Both are necessary for Christians to live a victorious life! Folks can't go around offending everyone, never making it right, and expect to have a good relationship with God. (Assuming those offenses aren't unintentional.)

Of course attitude is a choice! But the choice can be easy or difficult based on your circumstances. God helps us rise above our circumstances, and make the right choices.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Atta Boy!~

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Very well said. And you won't get ulcers in the mean time. At least not for that.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

(Luk 23:34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

:TulsaROCKS: :TulsaNO:

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I'm told to forgive when my brother sins against me.....not, forgive when he apologizes.

Many times I have had to just let it go and forget it.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Bro. Tenney tells of a lady who's husband left her with several kids and quite a few bills. She came to church, and the pastor could tell she was having a hard time letting go of her bitterness, she was struggling to worship, etc.

One night at the altar, he saw her hunched over, fists clenched, crying.........no joy, no release. He knelt down beside her, and said, "Sister, you're going to have to forgive your husband".

She whirled around, and thru clenched teeth said, "He doesn't DESERVE to be forgiven!"

The wise pastor said, "No, but YOU do.......and until you forgive him, God can't forgive you."

She broke down and began to sob and let it all go at the altar.........and finally found peace in her own mind.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

God doesn't forgive us, unless we repent (apologize), right? Why would he expect us to? Also, consider:

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

(Just throwing it out for discussion!)

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I remember when I was a teen, that my pastor used to tell us if someone was hurt at us, and we were not sure the reason, we should go to them and say something like, "If I have said or done anything to hurt you, please forgive me."

Hogwash.

Do you have any idea how many times I have heard the "if" deal?

What do you mean, "if"?

I have replied to many an insincere apology by saying, You know whether or not you hurt me. What do you mean if?

I realize that some are truly repentant, and some actuallly did not know. But there is a certain...tone...that comes with insincerity.

If.

Hogwash.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Is it I??????????????????


:bliss

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

:congrats :stars



:smack :toofunny :toofunny

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I agree. And, sometimes they are only sorry they got caught - not for what they did - lol!

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Thoughts, anyone?

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

A true apology starts with "I was wrong for............".

You must show responsibility for the wrong!

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I agree "if he repents" - - but, sometimes just saying "I'm sorry" if not said with sincerity is hollow.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

True!

Real repentance involves change, whether of the heart, or of actions.

It is very easy to say "sorry" to get someone off your back, but unless it is done with sincerity, IMO it is worthless.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

So many times they are just sorry they got caught and their sins caught up with them. You can usually tell if the I am sorry is real or fake...it is usually fake if they have something to gain by saying their sorry words...

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

I remember a message I preached on insincere repentance.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Sometimes people get the idea they can hide thiings from God...however both God and the Devil has a way of letting your sins find you out.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Another thing you learn in life dealing with people those that hide sin one time, unless fully repented of they have a tendency to do it again and again...

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

We must pray for godly sorrow...and real repentance.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

That is so true, and generally if someone is hiding sin, if they are only repentant when they are found out, they really aren't repenting, they are just sorry they got caught. I lived with someone like that for years.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Over the years I have seen it happen and happen...It is true that we all make mistakes and I sure have made my share however when the sorry's or just to save face...the grief for the person is much greater on down the road.
What many people do not understand true repentance takes correction and many times eats humble pie over and over until proven that repentance is true. I spoke about this today to one of my sons he was talking about how people mess up and then get mad if the church doesn't believe in them right off the bat...

Some people will never really be sorry for their sins they will compare their sins to the sins of others making excuses for themselves..which is so human...but not the way to recover.

I have seen people make terrible mistakes and seen God restore them to high heights however the proud and unrepentant will be brought down and great is the fall.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Wasn't it you that had a thread once about the right way to apologize? I think it was you... I just don't remember which forum it was posted on.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Most often in Business "I'm sorry means that they do not see things your way"..

"I'm Sorry means it's your problem".

"I'm sorry, but!"

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

What if someone does not believe they were wrong but they are sorry for the fact the other person feels offended and they want to try to make things better? They can't actually just say "Hey I know I was wrong" and not be a liar.

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Bah, people are sorry only when their caught.



ARPH :doggyrun

Re: The Meaninglessness of "I'm Sorry."
 

Some people are sorry the other person was hurt but genuinely don't feel they did anything wrong.