Forgiveness ≠ No Consequences

Many churches teach forgiveness like it’s just “move on and forget it.” But forgiveness doesn’t erase consequences or remove the need for confrontation. Think about it like this: you can’t rob a bank and expect to avoid jail. Even if the bank or police choose to forgive you, consequences still exist—and for a reason.

Forgiveness is a good and powerful thing, but like anything good, it can be misused. Imagine someone gives you $1,000, and you waste it on drugs. The money itself wasn’t bad—the harm came from what you did with it. Likewise, forgiving someone doesn’t mean ignoring their actions or staying in a harmful situation. Boundaries, accountability, and consequences are separate from the act of forgiveness—and recognizing that makes forgiveness truly healthy.