---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Forgiveness doesn't mean that what that…"
description: "\"Forgiveness doesn't mean that what that person did was right or that you even have to get back into a relationship with that person. Forgiveness simply..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/joel-osteen-194_asks_forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that_1264385.jpg"
---

#  Forgiveness doesn't mean that what that person did was…

![“Forgiveness doesn't mean that what that person did was right or that you even have to get back into a relationship with that person. Forgiveness simply releases the debt they owe you so that God can release the debt you owe Him. Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you if there is any…” quote by Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/joel-osteen-194_asks_forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that_1264385.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/joel-osteen-194_asks_forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that_1264385.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/joel-osteen-194_asks_forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that_1264385.jpg)

> “Forgiveness doesn't mean that what that person did was right or that you even have to get back into a relationship with that person. Forgiveness simply releases the debt they owe you so that God can release the debt you owe Him. Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you if there is any unforgiveness blocking His blessing in your life. Ask Him to show you more about this gift of forgiveness so that you can walk in the freedom and victory He has for you today.”

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Forgiveness frees you from resentment, allowing divine release of debts, and opens blessings.

**In simple terms:** Forgiveness releases debt and opens blessings.

Key Takeaway

Forgive to experience freedom.

Themes

forgiveness spirituality relationships redemption faith

Mood

hopeful reverent

Type

spiritual motivational

When to use this quote

- marriage counseling
- conflict resolution
- personal growth

Key Concepts

theology psychology emotional healing

Questions to Reflect On

- What grudges are you holding?
- How can you practice forgiveness daily?

A Different Perspective

Forgiveness may be difficult without genuine repentance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Blessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessing/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lord/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/)

## Related quotes

> [Forgiveness is not for the other person, forgiveness is for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ferguson/forgiveness-is-not-for-the-other-person-forgiveness-is-for-you/)

[Bill Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ferguson/)

> [Bring into your mind anyone against whom you have a grievance and let it go. Send that person your forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/bring-into-your-mind-anyone-against-whom-you-have-a-grievance-and-let/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [By far the strongest poison to the human spirit is the inability to forgive oneself or another person. Forgiveness is no longer an option…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/by-far-the-strongest-poison-to-the-human-spirit-is-the-inability-to/)

[Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/)

> [Forgiveness is simply a decision to cancel a debt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/forgiveness-is-simply-a-decision-to-cancel-a-debt/)

[Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/)

> [In the end, forgiveness simply means never putting another person out of our heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-the-end-forgiveness-simply-means-never-putting-another-person-out/)

[Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/)

> [“Forgiveness is not something we do; rather it is a process of reminding yourself over and over again that holding a resentment only hurts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-main/forgiveness-is-not-something-we-do-rather-it-is-a-process-of/)

[Darren Main](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-main/)

> [“Forgiveness does not relieve someone of responsibility for what they have done. Forgiveness does not erase accountability. It is not about turning a blind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/forgiveness-does-not-relieve-someone-of-responsibility-for-what-they/)

[Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/)

> [“We do terrible things to the ones we love. We cheat and lie and betray them, for thirty pieces of silver or our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-woods/we-do-terrible-things-to-the-ones-we-love-we-cheat-and-lie-and-betray/)

Vanessa Woods

> [Shit happens…people change …and things go wrong...you grow up...you let go and you move on…a gift you can give yourself is forgiveness ….](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercy-pheona/shit-happens-people-change-and-things-go-wrong-you-grow-up-you-let-go/)

[Mercy Pheona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercy-pheona/)

> [Perpetrators who receive the gift of forgiveness are given a chance to change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pumla-gobodo-madikizela/perpetrators-who-receive-the-gift-of-forgiveness-are-given-a-chance/)

[Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pumla-gobodo-madikizela/)

> [“Carrying a grudge is a heavy burden. As you forgive, you will feel the joy of being forgiven. At this Christmastime you can give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/carrying-a-grudge-is-a-heavy-burden-as-you-forgive-you-will-feel-the/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [“My mom once said, we hurt the people we love the most, but the ability for them to love you despite the hurt is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-k-hartley/my-mom-once-said-we-hurt-the-people-we-love-the-most-but-the-ability/)

[S.K. Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-k-hartley/)

> [Your destiny is not cancelled because of a mistake, because of a failure. Get back up and go again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/your-destiny-is-not-cancelled-because-of-a-mistake-because-of-a/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [When you get knocked down, don't stay down; get back up again. Nothing good is going to happen as long as you're down on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/when-you-get-knocked-down-don-t-stay-down-get-back-up-again-nothing/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [“See, forgiveness doesn't happen all at once. It's not an event -- it's a process. Forgiveness happens while you're asleep, while you're dreaming, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-lyga/see-forgiveness-doesn-t-happen-all-at-once-it-s-not-an-event-it-s-a/)

[Barry Lyga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-lyga/)

## More by Joel Osteen

> [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [I don't have to figure out how God is going to solve my problem. I don't have to understand how He's going to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-don-t-have-to-figure-out-how-god-is-going-to-solve-my-problem-i-don/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [The only difference between black coal and a precious diamond is the amount of pressure it endured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/the-only-difference-between-black-coal-and-a-precious-diamond-is-the/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [Faith is easy; I think people complicate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/faith-is-easy-i-think-people-complicate-it/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [There's pros and cons of a big church. Cons is I don't get to know everybody, I don't get to go to their ballgame,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/there-s-pros-and-cons-of-a-big-church-cons-is-i-don-t-get-to-know/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [When you smile and project an aura of warmth, kindness, and friendliness, you will attract warms, kindness, and friendliness. Happy people will be drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/when-you-smile-and-project-an-aura-of-warmth-kindness-and/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [You were never created to live depressed, defeated, guilty, condemned, ashamed or unworthy. You were created to be victorious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/you-were-never-created-to-live-depressed-defeated-guilty-condemned/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [You may not have the approval of someone 'important,' but you have the favor of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/you-may-not-have-the-approval-of-someone-important-but-you-have-the/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [“In the Bible, God called Gideon a mighty man of (fearless) courage. Gideon looked around and said, “Who’s He talking to? That’s not me.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/in-the-bible-god-called-gideon-a-mighty-man-of-fearless-courage/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [At the start of each new day, remind yourself: I am talented. I am creative. I am greatly favored by God. I am equipped.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/at-the-start-of-each-new-day-remind-yourself-i-am-talented-i-am/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [Don't be intimidated by the size of your problem or the size of your dream. God will see to it that it is finished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/don-t-be-intimidated-by-the-size-of-your-problem-or-the-size-of-your/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [No matter what's happening, choose to be happy. Don't focus on what's wrong. Find something positive in your life. Thank God for the small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/no-matter-what-s-happening-choose-to-be-happy-don-t-focus-on-what-s/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [I deal with more practical issues of the Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-deal-with-more-practical-issues-of-the-bible/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [I've learned a simple principle: all I have to do is be the best 'me' that I can be. One day when I read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-ve-learned-a-simple-principle-all-i-have-to-do-is-be-the-best-me/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [“Too often we don’t realize how great we have it until something is taken away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/too-often-we-don-t-realize-how-great-we-have-it-until-something-is/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

[Explore all 960 Joel Osteen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

## More Asks quotes

> [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/)

[Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/)

> [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/)

[Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/)

> [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/)

[Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/)

> [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/)

[Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/)

> [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/)

[Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/)

> [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/)

[Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/)

> [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/)

[Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/)

> [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/)

[Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/)

> [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/)

[Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/)

> [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/)

[Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/)

> [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/)

[Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/)

> [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/)

[Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/)

> [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/)

[Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/)

Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Forgiveness doesn't mean that what that person did was right or that you even have to get back into a relationship with that person. Forgiveness simply releases the debt they owe you so that God can release the debt you owe Him. Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you if there is any unforgiveness blocking His blessing in your life. Ask Him to show you more about this gift of forgiveness so that you can walk in the freedom and victory He has for you today.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joel Osteen"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that-person-did-was-right-or-that/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Asks"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that-person-did-was-right-or-that/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/joel-osteen-194_asks_forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that_1264385.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/joel-osteen-194_asks_forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that_1264385.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e1/joel-osteen-194_asks_forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that_1264385.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Forgiveness doesn't mean that what that person did was right or that you even have to get back into a…” — Joel Osteen",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Joel Osteen",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Forgiveness doesn't mean that what that...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that-person-did-was-right-or-that/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/forgiveness-doesn-t-mean-that-what-that-person-did-was-right-or-that/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
