Many moons ago, Don Henley sang about how the heart of the matter is forgiveness. He’s not wrong, but just how much do you know about it?

17

Forgiveness True or False Quiz

How much to you know about what forgiveness is and isn’t? Take this quiz!

1 / 8

Forgiveness is about letting people off the hook.

True

False

False. Forgiveness is not condoning or excusing another person’s actions or behavior. Forgiveness is letting yourself off the hook from anger, resentment and bitterness.

2 / 8

Forgiving and forgetting are the same thing.

True

False

Not at all. You can forgive someone and refuse to let their actions and behaviors continue to burden you without forgetting the harm they caused. If many cases, it’s important not to forget so that you will not put yourself back in harm’s way. Forgiving someone does not mean you have to let them hurt you again.

3 / 8

Not forgiving someone is bad for your health.

True

False

This is true. A study from Emory University found that bitter people had higher blood pressure and were more likely to die from heart disease than more forgiving people.

4 / 8

Forgiveness is something you can learn

True

False

Like most things, it takes practice, but everyone can learn to forgive. Saying “I just don’t have it in me” is simply not true.

5 / 8

Forgiving bad behavior is the same thing as condoning that behavior.

True

False

This is not true at all. Forgiveness does not cancel out accountability or consequences. Again, forgiveness is more about the forgiver than the forgivee.

6 / 8

Forgiving someone means remaining in relationship with them.

True

False

False. You CAN remain in a relationship with someone you’ve forgiven, but you don’t have to– especially if the relationship was toxic, abusive and harmful. Forgiveness should never mean putting yourself back in a dangerous or hurtful situation.

7 / 8

The scientific study of forgiveness dates back to 1989

True

False

True!

I know! Can you believe it? We’ve only be studying the effects of forgiveness for the last 30 years. Before that, people didn’t even know what being so bitter was costing them…unless, of course, they took Jesus seriously.

8 / 8

There is no species in the animal kingdom that has failed to show outward signs of forgiveness and reconciliation. 

True

False

False. The cat is the one species that has failed to show outward signs of forgiveness. Who’s surprised?

Your score is

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter VKontakte

How’d you do? If you didn’t get them all right, take some time to consider what you believe about forgiveness. Your health and well-being depend on it.

Like so many things that Jesus tells us to do, it’s not for his own good, it’s for ours. The ability to forgive is crucial to having not only a happy life, but a healthy heart.

You may be finding it harder and harder to muster up forgiveness for some folks these days, but don’t give up trying–not for their sake, but for yours. Not only are we more like Christ when we let go of grudges and forgive others, we’re likely buying ourselves a little more time in the here and now before we meet him in the hereafter.

Rev. Anne Russ is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA), currently based in New York City. Doubting Believer provides tools and encouragement for the rollercoaster ride of your faith journey. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube. You can also follow on TikTok. Get emails to keep up with all that is happening.