Notice the title of this devotion, “I Did Not Mean to Hurt You.”  It indicates that all of us have hurt someone at one time or another. Perhaps, it was not intentional. But as people of God, we should always be able to say, “I am sorry. Please forgive me. I did not mean to hurt you.” This is so difficult for many of us: we just cannot seem to get those words out of our mouths. The Word of God tells us to make sure that our hearts are right. If not, we will not say and do the things that are pleasing unto God. In Ephesians 4:29, we find these words:

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

The writer speaks about the things that we should and should not do to live as children of light. He also says “Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”  God has provided us the ability to love. We cannot love and do wrong. Therefore, if we hurt someone, we should be able to say, “I’m sorry.”  Prayerfully, we will all be convicted to say, “Please forgive me. I did not mean to hurt you.”