Forgiveness & Forgiving Others Heals Your Heart
Part of the human condition and our sinful nature is to hold and bear grudges in life and to never forgive those who have done us wrong. All of us have been hurt by someone close to us whether it was a friend or a family member
Many people bear grudges for life, never forgiving and never letting go of the anger. Letting go of the hurt and letting go of the incident or circumstance is actually very simple through faith in Jesus Christ and forgiving is done by faith. When we forgive others in Jesus name the pain associated (emotion) with the incident is completely healed, permanently.
Forgiveness releases you
Even as I write these words there may be a situation or circumstance where a person immediately pops into your mind that starts you thinking, going back to that moment where the pain began. These past pains are called soul wounds and when you remember that incident the emotion associated with the unforgiveness comes up and brings you back to that moment because of your pain. That’s because that emotion has never been healed. In fact, the danger we face here is that enemy will use unforgiveness to distract you because Satan will use your emotions to cloud your Godly judgement and keep you in sin.
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV)
Jesus taught us that we must forgive those who have done us wrong and if we do not then He cannot forgive us of our sins. We seem to forget that for some reason and wonder why bad things are happening to us and why some of our prayers aren’t answered.
If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. Proverbs 28:9 (NIV)
Our Heavenly Father gave us forgiveness through Jesus Christ to release us from Satan’s hold on our emotions towards the person. By forgiving others we become freed of the emotion associated with the pain of unforgiveness. Emotional wounds such as unforgiveness if not healed are one of the most common reasons for the enemy to attack and torment your mind, body and soul because he has a legal right to.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
When people won’t forgive (Unforgiving Hearts)
We are often slow to forgive our friends and family for the smallest of transgressions even though Christ forgave us. God does not honor this type of attitude and actions.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Mark 11:25 (NIV)
Our willingness to forgive others assures us pardon from the Lord over what we have done wrong. By keeping this attitude of forgiveness we are assured through God’s word that our prayers won’t be hindered and that we too are forgiven in Jesus name.
One of my friends shared with me a story that ministered to my heart about forgiveness. He was introduced to a lovely woman who subsequently became his girlfriend. The friend who introduced them began to take a back seat to their friendship and then started to share lies about his character. They were friends for over 10 years and he was heartbroken over his old friends actions. At some point and time after my friend started dating his girlfriend the enemy used unforgiveness to bring strife between their friendship. After months of dealing with this my friend began to harbored the emotion of anger deep inside himself and knew that it wasn’t healthy for him. Understanding God’s word my friend knew that in order to freed from this emotion he needed to forgive her in Jesus name.
He told me “I felt it was time to break up my 10 year friendship.” so he completely cut her out of his life. He told me that before he broke off his friendship he first went to the Lord and by faith he forgave her. Instantly a heaviness broke off him and the emotion associated with his pain and betrayal was lifted off of him. He told me “the peace of the Lord came in and I felt freedom for the first time in months”!
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 (NIV)
God’s power flows through forgiveness
Forgiveness is a biblical foundation for today’s Christian. Proof of this is found in the Lord’s prayer, one piece for scripture nearly everyone in the world knows but surprisingly few understand.
Matthew 6:12 clearly tells us to forgive others and seek forgiveness “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” These words from Jesus Himself should open a person up to God’s power through forgiveness, and this power is identified both in the Old and New Testament. God’s forgiveness is one of the most redeeming, comforting and strengthening blessings we can receive.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; Daniel 9:9 (NIV)
Whats the Next Step
Are you harboring a grudge, do you have someone you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from? Unforgiveness will always silently eat away at your spirit and it is one of Satan’s ways to steal your joy. Whether or not the other party forgives you is irrelevant, God loves them and loves you and though forgiveness He sets you free. The truth will always prevail, as I know it will in my case, and knowing that you have played for part by forgiving and seeking forgiveness enables God to work miracles where you least expect it… I know because I see it every day!
Prayer for forgiveness
Father God I come before you in the name of Jesus and ask by faith to forgive (person) for (transgression / wrongdoing) and I give you Jesus the emotion attached to my unforgiveness which is (name of emotion). Now, Lord I ask you Jesus to heal the emotion attached to the unforgiveness (emotion) and restore my heart. Thank you Father for restoring me and forgiving me of my transgressions through the blood of Jesus. Amen
Blessings, Timothy Tomlinson Timothy Tomlinson Ministries Timothy is an anointed minister, evangelist and teacher. Timothy’s passion is to see freedom for the brokenhearted and to set the captives free in Jesus name.
5 Bible Verses on Forgiveness
Here are some scriptures that can guide and encourage you on the subject of Forgiveness.
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; Daniel 9:9 (NIV)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9 (NIV)
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Mark 11:25 (NIV)
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
