How should I apologize?

Numbers 14:19-20“In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.” Then the Lord said, “I will pardon them as you have requested.”

2 Chronicles 34:27“‘You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord.’”

Psalm 38:18I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.

Acts 23:5“I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’”

“I’m sorry” is a great place to start any apology. Admitting we are wrong and sincerely feeling bad about what we have done or said shows humility and a desire to change. It opens the door to forgiveness and restoration.

Luke 15:21“His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’”

We should apologize with honestly and humility. We should not try to justify our words or actions or blame others. Instead, we need to take ownership of our wrongs and seek forgiveness, regardless to how the other person responds.

Exodus 22:1“If someone steals an ox or sheep and then kills or sells it, the thief must pay back five oxen for each ox stolen, and four sheep for each sheep stolen.”

1 Samuel 12:3“Now testify against me in the presence of the Lord and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong.”

Luke 19:8Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”

An apology may need to include restitution. Sometimes we must overcompensate for a wrong to show that our apology is sincere.

Jeremiah 3:10“But despite all this, her faithless sister Judah has never sincerely returned to me. She has only pretended to be sorry. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Before saying the words of apology, we need to make sure we really mean them. Otherwise, when our real motives come to light, nothing will have changed or been accomplished.