Consequences of Unforgiveness

We cannot harbor resentment and unforgiveness and still expect to walk in freedom. We forgive others because of all the Lord has done in and through us.

True freedom is impossible without forgiveness flowing through our hearts. Scripture tells us to stop and reconcile with our brother before continuing in prayer. Jesus modeled this in the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:12 (ESV). "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Do we truly understand what He is saying? A heart full of forgiveness is the key to our freedom. This is a powerful Kingdom principle. He also warns in Matthew 6:14-15 that if we refuse to forgive, our Father in Heaven will not forgive us. Do we understand this? Our unforgiveness of others welcomes the unforgiveness of God!

"But you don't know what he did to me, what she said, how my children were hurt, or the pain I've endured," you may think. You're right, I don't. But the Lord does. I spent ten years being sexually assaulted by many. I've been beaten, malnourished, abandoned, lied about, spit upon, manipulated, and, further, my children have been deeply hurt by others. I have every carnal excuse not to forgive. But I have no spiritual ones.

I once struggled deeply with forgiveness until the Holy Spirit revealed to me: "Your unwillingness to forgive is arrogance." That hit hard. "But look at my pain! My abuse! My children!" I protested. It was as if the pain I endured was somehow beyond forgiveness in my own mind, but the pain my Savior endured because of my sin was acceptable. I believed I was worthy of God's forgiveness, but others were not. That is arrogance. And….ignorance. I failed to see the magnitude of what I had been forgiven of. My righteousness is as filthy rags.

It doesn't matter what someone has done. Our freedom is not worth clinging to offense. Forgiveness doesn't excuse the offense. It doesn't mean their sin was okay – even the pain, rejection, or abuse. Of course not. Forgiveness simply means our own freedom.

Look again at Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT): If we don't forgive, we won't be forgiven. That's serious. We cannot expect freedom while holding on to bitterness. We forgive because of what the Lord has done for us. Once I received revelation from the Holy Spirit about the weight of my sin and the depth of the forgiveness I'd received, everything changed. That is my prayer for you today, especially if you've suffered the unspeakable. I pray the Holy Spirit helps you grasp the weight of your own sin and the magnitude of Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross. To truly forgive, you must let go of your need to be right, your desire for justice, and your longing for revenge. The Lord is your vindicator. Vengeance belongs to Him alone.

Points to Ponder:

• Is your refusal to forgive rooted in arrogance or ignorance? Have you unknowingly placed your pain above the Cross—believing others are unworthy of forgiveness while freely receiving God's grace for yourself?
• Are you willing to surrender justice to the One who judges righteously?