The Danger of Un-forgiveness
Vindictive
Someone asked me the other day, “Why are people so Vindictive?”
First of all, let’s look at the meaning of this word:
Vindictive means being revengeful; disposed and determine to seek and pursue revenge.
Having a desire to hurt someone or cause pain to someone by being spiteful and malicious.
This characteristic can be displayed by speaking malicious words, malicious gossip, causing your spirit to become harsh, cruel, hateful, ill hearted, evil minded, mean, nasty, wicked and despiteful. The root of this problem is the result of not being willing to forgive (un-forgiveness).
To sum this up, this person see things and it is all about yourself and no one else matters. God’s Word tells us, “For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” II Timothy 3:2
Un-Forgiveness:
When a person has an unforgiving heart, they are not willing or unable to forgive or show mercy. They have been so consumed by the bitterness, anger, hurt, pain (all they see is their own agony), that they may be unaware it is holding them prisoner or they can enjoy walking in un-forgiveness they prefer to stay in it (love misery).
Matthew 18:21-35: The servant owed a large debt to the King which was impossible to pay but the King forgave (released or cleared his debt). The servant had a man who owed him a small debt and he refused to forgive the man. (This is the reaction of someone who is vindictive because they have un-forgiveness in their heart.) When the King heard this he rescinds (he cancel or revoked his agreement), in other words, he took back his words to forgive the servant and held him accountable for his debt. Jesus explains, this is how our Heavenly Father will treat us unless we forgive our brother and sister from our heart. Matthew 18:35 tells us “we will be forgiven as we forgive”.
How Does It Affect Us?
Un-forgiveness robs us of our joy, love, and peace.
It brings anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experiences in our lives.
It traps you into becoming so wrapped up in the wrong that you can’t enjoy the present.
People are known to become depressed or anxious and it can bring on many other diseases.
We can feel that your life lacks meaning and you don’t fit in.
It will isolate you into a place where you push everyone away that cares about you and loves you.
It will alienate you from your love ones and friend.
We can have health issues such as:
low self-esteem,
weak immune system,
high blood pressure,
unstable relationships
Anxiety
This one little act can bring so much torment to our lives and cause us not to be happy with ourselves or anyone else.
Forgiveness:
What is the Definition of Forgiveness:
Forgiveness is letting go of grudges, letting go of anger, resentment and thought of revenge and bitterness.
This is an act of excusing a mistake or offense made against or towards us by showing mercy.
Change in your attitude, and feelings regarding offenses, disappointments, others shortcomings when they do not meet your expectations.
No matter how harsh or devastating the event may be in our lives, we must forgive. This can only be accomplish by walking in the spirit and living by the Word of God.
Jesus ask God to forgive them because they know not what they do? Forgiveness must first be embraced in our mind. We must walk with a mind to transform (change our ways) and allow God to move us into the place where we can forgive others with no regrets. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” Romans 7:18 ESV.
We can’t do anything right on our own, we need God to pull down these stronghold, because adversary does not want us to be free and happy. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesian 1:7 vs. Redemption belongs to you when you forgive, and your sins are forgiven and there are riches of God’s grace that go with you.
We must keep in mind that we ourselves are not perfect and we need God’s mercy to cover us daily. Daniel 9:9 tells us, “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving even though we have rebelled against him.” While we were yet in sin, he forgave us and even now we fall short but his mercy covers us and he forgives us and gives us another chance. If he can be merciful toward us and forgive us when we fail him, when we turn our back on him, and walk away from him; so why can’t we do the same to others?
We must learn to be merciful and forgiving to others no matter how bad it hurts because it is not about us, it is about others seeing the Glory of God in our lives. His word tells us, “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus”, Philippians 4:7. We release ourselves from being in bondage when we forgive others. There is a freedom and peace you receive that is so not unexplainable when we let go and just forgive that ushers you into his presence.
How To Operate In Forgiveness :
There are three steps we must follow:
We must allow God’s spirit to operate in us by walking in the spirit.
We must stay prayerful, read the Word of God and get it into our spirit.
Live in obedience to the Word of God and exercise it in our heart by walking in the spirit of forgiveness.
God Word tells us, “Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who misuse (hurt) you”, Luke 6:28 vs.
You will find that we must ask God to teach us how to live these scripture because we can’t do this on our own. God has to help us understand how to walk as the scripture state, in order to be able to carry ourselves and put it in action in our daily lives. It can only be accomplished when we do what the scripture says, bless them and pray. When you make this a part of your prayer, you will find peace in the midst of trouble. God will give you an inner peace because you honored his word and obeyed it.
Why Won’t They Forgive?
It is the issues of the heart that hold us captive and bound to sin. Proverbs 4:28 “Above all guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”, NIV. The Word of God says in another passage to “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for out of it flows the issues of live” Proverbs 4:23 KJV
When we learn the secrets of guarding our hearts, by asking God to “create in us a clean heart, O Lord, and renew a right spirit in us” Psalms 51:7, then we will not walk in un-forgiveness. If we keep a heart of repentance, we will be free and able to forgive.
The Word of God tells us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God forgave you.” Ephesian 4:32.
So we must stop holding grudges, being bitter, mean and allow the spirit to operate freely in every area of our lives so we can be set free and live in liberty.
