Unforgiveness

<<unwilling or unable to forgive>>

Unforgiveness springs from self-pity and self-centeredness and through this opening can quickly grow a powerful “root of bitterness” which is a powerful weapon of Satan whereby he enslaves people (2 Cor 2:5-11; Heb 12:15).

Peace and vital connection with Jesus will be affected, with our prayers not answered when there are wrong attitudes in our hearts, including the poison of unforgiveness. Many emotional and even physical ailments can be traced to unforgiveness in those who refuse to offer this to others but freedom

We will only get better at forgiveness by practising it

from this destructive bondage comes when there is genuine forgiveness (Ps 32:3-5, 66:18; 1 Pet 3:7).

Jesus taught, “If we don’t forgive others, we can’t expect to be forgiven” by God for the sin we have committed against Him (Mt 6:12,14,15, 7:2, 18:23-35; Mk 11:24,25; Lk 6:37). Thus, we hold the key to our own release from the inner torment of bitterness against those who have caused us emotional wounds – enabling us to walk in freedom in Christ. This is not denying you may have been badly hurt, yet as unforgiveness locks the door through which we must pass, it is essential to address these issues in humility, depending on the Holy Spirit to minister healing to our raw emotions. Although it is not easy, it is crucial to our own emotional wellbeing to walk with God in obedience – living by the teachings and principles of the Bible in reality, not theory.

We are hypocrites if we claim to be walking in the light of a right relationship with God, while things are wrong between us and others (Mt 5:23,24; 1 Jn 1:7, 4:20,21). It is impossible to love a person and hold unforgiveness against them at the same time. Jesus commands us to “Love each other as I have

Who do I need to forgive?

loved you” which involves being forgiven of our confessed sin (Jn 15:12). Remember, Jesus has forgiven us for much more than we will ever need to forgive anyone else. If we don't forgive we destroy the bridge across which we must pass.