# Should Christians Always Give Someone a Second Chance? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Faith\ **Created:** [October 19, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/should-christians-always-give-someone-a-second-chance/20986 "2026-10-19T20:25:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ellenvera](https://forums.crosswalk.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/ccd318/32.png) [@ellenvera](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/ellenvera)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2026, 8:25pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/should-christians-always-give-someone-a-second-chance/20986/1 "2026-10-19T20:25:05Z")
Jesus teaches forgiveness, but what happens when someone repeatedly takes advantage of another person’s kindness? Suppose a friend has broken your trust several times and promises that this time things will be different. Does Christian forgiveness mean giving that person another opportunity, or can we forgive someone while deciding not to put ourselves in the same situation again? Where would you draw the line? ---
**Author:** ![BobEstey](https://forums.crosswalk.com/user_avatar/forums.crosswalk.com/bobestey/32/1650_2.png) [@BobEstey](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/BobEstey)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/should-christians-always-give-someone-a-second-chance/20986/2 "2026-10-19T22:20:27Z")
I believe we have the right to protect ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![robertamcneil06](https://forums.crosswalk.com/user_avatar/forums.crosswalk.com/robertamcneil06/32/7936_2.png) [@robertamcneil06](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/robertamcneil06)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2026, 11:31pm UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/should-christians-always-give-someone-a-second-chance/20986/3 "2026-10-19T23:31:16Z")
should be cancelled 🙏 ---
**Author:** ![PeterC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/user_avatar/forums.crosswalk.com/peterc/32/7200_2.png) [@PeterC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/PeterC)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 8:36am UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/should-christians-always-give-someone-a-second-chance/20986/4 "2026-10-20T08:36:48Z")
> [@ellenvera](#): > > Does Christian forgiveness mean giving that person another opportunity, or can we forgive someone while deciding not to put ourselves in the same situation again? Well? People will answer this two different ways. “Turn the other cheek” “be like Jesus,” “you must forgive 7x70,” etc. What is truth? Jesus is telling you that you should be a living example of the Grace and unconditional Love of God. In many places, the Word tells us we should imitate Jesus himself. God also told us this… Proverbs 25:21-23 > **“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.”** And in Romans 12 Paul writes this: > **“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”** Now is Jesus telling you that if someone comes to hurt you or your loved ones, that you should just lie down and let it happen? Of course not. What he is saying is that if someone strikes you unjustly, you should not fight them. You should forgive them and allow God to repay their evil. Trust me, I understand that this is a hard concept, but to say I know this from experience would be an understatement. Trust me, God can repay far better than you. Jesus, the same Jesus that cast out devils, healed the sick, and raised the dead, IS the ultimate example. He could have, with a word, cast those that sought to kill Him into an abyss. He could have, at any time, shaken the very foundation of the Earth. Remember, Jesus IS Lord. He IS the flesh of God. The Jews did not crucify Christ. He allowed Himself to be crucified. He allowed it to happen. He, although He possessed the power to stop it at any point, was faithful to US enough to allow it to happen. Think about that. He allowed those present to strip Him, beat Him within an inch of His life, and nail Him to the Cross. I have news for you. You possess the same power. Yup. I said it. You possess the same power and authority as Jesus. It is few that come to this realization. Even fewer are wise enough to know when to use it. It should never be about you. If it is, then you fall into the Sin of the devil himself. Pride. I do not tell you these things to puff you up. I do not tell you that you are equal to Jesus, so that you go out there and attempt to raise the dead. I tell you this simply because it is true. You ARE equal to Jesus in all ways. The same Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is in you. He is in you, and you are in Him. The things He did, you can do also. But it should never be about you. Be blessed, be a blessing. Peter ---
**Author:** ![Who-me](https://forums.crosswalk.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Who-me](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/Who-me)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 9:31am UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/should-christians-always-give-someone-a-second-chance/20986/5 "2026-10-20T09:31:37Z")
but what happens when someone repeatedly takes advantage of another person’s kindness? Good question. Jesus taught that we should forgive 70 x 7 that is always. But repentance means ’ I won’t do that again ’ Jesus also said we need to speak to the offender Luke 17:3. So what do I suggest. If the repeated offending is coating real money, large amounts of time then keep a record of what you’ve done, research help options and talk to the offender. They either don’t realise what its costing you or just how dependant they have become. Oh the verse on don’t keep an account of sin is about judging and being super critical, not seeking to help them. ---
**Author:** ![Oakback](https://forums.crosswalk.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/dbc845/32.png) [@Oakback](https://forums.crosswalk.com/u/Oakback)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://forums.crosswalk.com/t/should-christians-always-give-someone-a-second-chance/20986/6 "2026-10-21T00:02:16Z")
I believe we always forgive. But that’s an inside job. It’s possible to harm someone, by enabling destructive behavior. Which IMO, is not forgiveness.