Forgiveness is central to God’s love and He expects us to do so with a sincere heart—not just give it lip service.
In Matthew 18, Jesus was asked how many times we’re required to forgive. His response was to tell a story. (I love it when He does that—makes this writer’s heart sing.)
He talked about a man who was forgiven all his debts by the king but showed no mercy to someone else indebted to him. What a double standard! Things didn’t end so well: When the king found out, the guy’s pardon was rescinded and he ended up in prison along with the man he showed no mercy to. Sure hope he didn’t end up as the guy’s bunkie (cellmate.) Talk about a bad day…
The moral of the story? If we don’t forgive, there will be consequences:
- God can’t forgive us if we don’t forgive others
- Unforgiving words can bind us
- It prevents the work of the Holy Spirit
- We are robbed of peace
- Opens the door for attacks from the enemy. (Guilt, shame, self-hatred, etc.)
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1st Peter 5.8 NLT)
My cat, Liberty, stalks when on the trail of unsuspecting prey. Low to the ground and razor-focused. On a mission. Then when he catches a mouse, bird, or baby bunny, he plays with it for a while and more often than not, does a "catch and release." (Or brings it to Mom as a present.*blech*)Satan uses the same tricks. *shudder*
The Good News Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith.
(1st Peter 5.9 NLT)
We go on the offensive as opposed to being caught unaware. We pay attention when enemy stalks us. We do this by asking, "Is it a heart issue?"
Time for some self-evaluation.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4.23 NLT)
Maybe there were wounds from the past that have festered over time, creating a bitter root judgment. Lingering resentment we haven't dealt with. Or did our flesh rise up and snatch the bait of offense? Do we need to establish heart boundaries to prevent negative reactions?
As we check ourselves, it becomes easier to show mercy and compassion to others. Forgiveness doesn’t let the other person off the hook for their stuff but we can stop an unforgiving spirit in its tracks with a preemptive strike.
Preemptive forgiveness is deciding to forgive before any offenses are leveled our way. It also helps us stay alert for the prowling enemy who’s looking for someone to devour. Whispering, "Father, I choose right now to forgive anyone who sins against me today," will help us restrain from acting in offense. And keep the devil off our trail.
Forgiveness is for us, not the other person. It frees the encumbrance of an unforgiving heart and brings peace to our spirit. The Father wants us reconciled to one another and forgiveness is the doorway. (See Matthew 5.21-26.) It's also about balance. Where one thing agrees with another to make views compatible and facts can exist simultaneously. On-going, forgiveness brings two willing people to a place where they can live in agreement while allowing each other the freedom to be different.
And I’m sure the enemy hates it.
Now who’s on the prowl?
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