How should I deal with those I have offended?

Proverbs 18:19An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

Ephesians 4:26-27And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Although making amends for an offense may be difficult, our relationships with others and with God are worth our immediate and diligent efforts. “I’m sorry” is one of the most important statements we can make.

1 Samuel 25:24, 27-28She [Abigail] fell at his [David’s] feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. . . . And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men. Please forgive me if I have offended you in any way. The Lord will surely reward you with a lasting dynasty, for you are fighting the Lord’s battles. And you have not done wrong throughout your entire life.”

Luke 15:18“`I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,”’”

While our sins must always be confessed before God as an offense against him, those sins most often have also offended others. We should offer an apology and restitution to those affected by what we have done. Our apologies may not remove all our offenses and their consequences, but they can remove some of the pain our wrongs have brought and be a step toward restoring our relationships.