“You owe me an apology,” says the person who has just been wronged by another. We nearly always demand some form of "payment" in return for an offense or unsettled conflict. We hope the apology will be heartfelt and sincere so that we can go on with our relationship with the offender.

According to Christian counselor Dr. Jay E.Adams, "apologizing, rather than the confession of sin and the seeking of forgiveness, is not a biblical option." 1

Apologies do not involve God; it is merely between the two in conflict. "I'm sorry", is not a request for forgiveness from the offender nor any promise of forgiveness from the one offended. 2

As the Bible teaches, when we commit sin, we sin against man and God, therefore God wants to be in the midst of forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

When God forgives and cleanses us it leaves little room to carelessly repeat the same offense over and over again. It is no longer a matter of asking the person to accept our apology, but also we are asking God to remove the offensive way from us.

It is better to be clean than to be sorry.

1, 2 :The Practical Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling, by Jay E. Adams