There is one particular act of negative conduct discussed
extensively in the New Testament that can often involve all of
the above impediments to the manifestation of the Blessing.
Sometimes we fail to forgive others because we don’t realize
the extent of God’s aversion to it as expressed in His Word. Or
perhaps we know some things about it but we choose to
disobey and withhold our forgiveness anyway. Whenever we
choose not to forgive we make a decision in the flesh because
the Spirit will always try to lead us into forgiveness. For
sure we aren’t consulting God if we walk in unforgivenss
because the Word tells us to stay away from it. And anyway,
love and unforgiveness can’t walk together because they aren’t
compatible.
Forgiving someone for an offense is a choice that we make to
be in line with the Word and with God’s wishes for our conduct.
When we persist with thoughts and acts of retribution and
revenge or we allow our anger and emotions to dictate our
actions and words, we need to go back and deal with
unforgiveness. When people say they have forgiven someone
but they continue to talk hurtfully, to slander and to gossip
behind the other person’s back, they have allowed the enemy
to put the unforgiving spirit back on them and they need to go
before the Lord again and ask Him for help to forgive that other
person for their sin. And, you keep going back before the Lord
as long as it takes to obtain the release of forgiveness.
The Body of Christ seems to be filled these days with Believers
who are offended and walking around in unforgiveness. We are
so thin-skinned that we get offended at the least thing even
though the Bible tells us to love one another and be forgiving.
Perhaps we don’t realize that our lack of forgiveness is more
hurtful to the one withholding it than it is to the one who has
done the offending. Perhaps in our lack of knowledge we don’t
understand the danger we put ourselves in by deciding not to
forgive. Therefore, it might be helpful to review the principal
New Testament scriptures on this subject all in one place at the
same time:
Luke 17:3-4 “Be on your guard! If your brother sins,
rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins
against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times,
saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came and said to
Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I
forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not
say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-
hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has
forgiven you.
Colossians 3:12-13 So, as those who have been chosen
of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one
another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint
against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should
you.
Mark 11:25-26 “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if
you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is
in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions; But if
you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven
forgive your transgressions.”
Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive others for their
transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if
you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive
your transgressions.”
Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge so that you will not be
judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged;
and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to
you.”
Matthew 18:34-35 “And his lord, moved with anger,
handed him over to the torturers until he should repay
all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the
same to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from
your heart.”
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you
also love one another. By this all men will know that you are
My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Some of the most vital parts have been underlined for you to
take note of. Failure to forgive not only interferes with the
manifestation of prosperity in your life, it has increasingly
dangerous consequences over the long term if you insist on
holding on to your offenses. Unforgiveness will cause you to
lose your peace, your joy and eventually it will affect your
health, both physical and mental. Therefore, we absolutely
must strive to forgive each other!
