SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Matthew 6:14-15) {14} “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:” {15) “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
(Matthew 18:21-22) (21) “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” (22) “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
(Matthew 18:23-28) (23) “Therefore, is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.” (24) “And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.” (25) “But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.”
(Matthew 18:26-28) (26) “The servant, therefore, fell, and worshipped him, saying Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” (27) “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.” (28) “But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.”
(Matthew 18:29-31) (29) “And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” (30) “And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.” (31) “So, when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.”
(Matthew 18:32-35) (32) “Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desirest me:” (33) “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?” (34) “And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.” (35) “So likewise, shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.”
PREFACE SUMMARY
This message on coping with and overcoming unforgiveness is essential to our advancement in the kingdom of God. How we respond instead of reacting to situations will demonstrate to others that we have the maturity and character needed to fulfill our purpose in that position.
Did you know that an old saying states that when you fail to forgive or even show resentment toward someone, you fall into the enemy's trap of becoming his or her slave? And did you not know that the stronger the resentment, the more time you spend thinking about it, including being caught up in the anger that fuels its fire, brings the unforgiving person into mental, emotional, and spiritual bondage?
Did you not know that the person holding the resentment is the one who suffers the most? I have found in my studies while seeking the Lord concerning this message that some experts have likened resentment to the one holding the hurt and grudge to be likened to the one drinking some poison, hoping and waiting for the other person to die.
Dealing with and overcoming unforgiveness can be challenging, but it is necessary for our emotional and spiritual well-being. We must acknowledge and accept the complex emotions that unforgiveness brings, whether they stem from feelings of anger due to hurt or betrayal or a lingering sense of resentment. Your feelings are valid, and understanding them is the first step towards healing.
Holding onto unforgiveness affects not only our mental and emotional health but also hinders our relationship with God and with others. Scripture instructs us that to be forgiven, we must first be willing to forgive. Scriptures teach us that forgiveness is a conscious decision we make that is not based on our feelings or emotions.
Unforgiveness often stems from deep-seated pride, self-righteousness, and a failure to fully comprehend the depth of God’s grace. Throughout God’s Holy Word, we are consistently reminded about the perils of harboring bitterness and unforgiveness. It is emphasized that such negative emotions can not only cause spiritual harm but also can hinder our prayers.
In summary, let me say that forgiveness is a continual process that requires time, effort, and patience. One effective way to overcome unforgiveness is to focus on the blessings in our lives and be mindful of how often our Heavenly Father has chosen to forgive us. Remember, forgiveness is not just a choice; it's a necessity for our emotional and spiritual well-being.
