“I forgive you.”

Are these words always a good thing to hear?

Are they always spoken as an expression of virtue or can they conceal venom?

When you are dealing with a spiritually abusive individual, these are words they may use to continue the abuse. They are hijacking the concept of “forgiveness” to put you down another time.

Essentially, they are saying that you are beneath them. They are the martyr, and you are the offender.

Instead of signalling spiritual progress, these words signal regression. The person saying this demonstrating they are not sorry in the least. Repentance is not in the cards for these people. They are the “real” victims, after all.