Beware of Unforgiveness

In our day to day activities as human beings, it is important to know that life becomes meaningless when lived in solitude. God never exist as a loner but as a three-in-one God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

In Genesis 1:27, He said let us make man in our own image. The emphasis here is He didn't say let me make man in my own image. But, let us make man in our own image because He has never been alone. 

In the same manner, when He created man, male and female created He them that man may live a meaningful life according to the will of God. I wonder how the man would have become fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and have dominion over the earth if only Adam has been in existence. There is a need for man to cohabit, relate and interact with one another because that is the original plan of God for man.

However, in the process of the aforementioned, the offence is bound to arise. Jesus said in Luke 17:1, "It is impossible but that offences will come". This, many a time leads to anger, quarrel, discord, dispute, fight and so on, which can later graduate to malice, hatred and, finally, unforgiveness.

WHAT IS UNFORGIVENESS?

Simply put, it is a refusal to let go of an offender having offended you. 

It is against the will of God and it is not a kingdom practice.

As Christians, our relationship with God can be marred (negatively affected) if we live in unforgiveness towards one another. The bible kicks against every form of unforgiveness no matter what. 

Matthew 6:15, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses". Hence, the Lord is warning us today to shun every act of unforgiveness in our lives.  

MANY DANGERS OF UNFORGIVENESS

1. Unforgiveness denies the victim access to heaven.

Hebrews 12:14, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"

Bearing grudges and keeping malice against one another will only help to disconnect its victim from the throne of grace. May you never be disconnected in the name of Jesus.

2. Unforgiveness denies the victim answers to prayer. 

Mark 11:25-26,  "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses".

3. Unforgiveness denies the victim acceptance to offering by God. 

Matthew 5:23-24 says, "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”. God is more interested in our person than our gift. Hence, He will not accept an offering from a heart that is not standing right with Him. Any offering given or sacrifice carried out in unforgiveness is just a waste of resources.

4. Unforgiveness denies the victim access to divine health. 

Every little sickness will cost him so much yet he will not be healed. 

Matthew 18:34-35,  "And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses".

Matthew 9:2, A man sick of palsy was brought to Jesus. Jesus looking at him said the unusual, “…son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee”. The forgiveness of his sins preceded his healing. This means, the reason behind his sickness is sin and Jesus dealt with it that divine healing might be administered to him. Jesus is still in the business of healing to date. But, He would not heal you when there is unforgiveness in your life. Several testimonies have been heard of people that received their healing from different kind of longtime, deadly and undetected diseases after they have realised the need to forgive an offender. 

5. The seed of unforgiveness having planted bears the fruit of spiritual death in the life of its victim. Galatians 6:7-8; Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap". Unforgiveness is a seed. When it is sown, it will bear fruits. Usually, the harvest of any seed is more than the seed sown. Spiritual death is lurking around the lives of those who harbour unforgiveness. Many cases of suicide are as a result of unforgiveness. Some people refuse to forgive themselves after God has forgiven them. Get rid of it today as tomorrow may be too late. To obey God is better than sacrifice.

6. Unforgiveness causes its victim to fall short of the grace of God.

Hebrews 12:14-15, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"

Refusal to forgive can lead such individual to fall short of the grace of God. When one falls short of God’s grace it means that backsliding has set in. This can be very dangerous. Jealousy leads to malice then hatred and finally to revenge. A classical example is Cain with Abel in Genesis 4:1-9.

 

STEPS TO FORGIVE EASILY

1. Pray by discussing the issue with God and let Him know how you feel about it. Tell God how hurting you are about the situation and ask Him for the grace to forgive. Then take a positive step as led by the Spirit of God in Matthew 18:15-17, "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican".

2. Learn to apologise and say sorry to the offended party.

3. Decide to obey God. To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22. Obedience is the key that opens the door of God’s blessings to flow into our lives.

4. Make excuses for the action of the offenders like Jesus did in Luke 23:34, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Let God be the judge and fight for you. Psalm 94:1.

5. Check your life and analyze your past sins. Perhaps you have fallen into such situation in the past where you offended someone else and you were forgiven. See how God’s mercy has rescued you from the judgement of God - when sin demands justice, the mercy of God says no. The case of the woman who was brought by offenders to Jesus to be stoned for her adulterous act in John 8:1-11 is a classic example. The conscience of the offenders judged them. Many people try to crucify others, but they have done worse things for which God forgave them. 

Psalm 130:3-4, If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. 

6. Show love and compassion just as God forgave us for Christ's sake. Ask the Holy Spirit for help to truly forgive and obey Ephesians 4:31-32, Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

7. Take a cue from the biblical example of Jesus, David and Joseph.

Men actually did them evil, yet they never allowed unforgiveness to rule their heart. They forgave men all their sins against them.

Luke 23:33-34, "And when they came to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots".

1 Samuel 24:5-6, "And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD".

Genesis 50:18-21, "And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now, therefore, fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them".

CONCLUSION

Don't be ignorant of the dangers of unforgiveness, it seems unharmful in the sight of men, but, very deadly in the sight of God. Beware!