The Importance Of Forgiveness In The Bible

We all deal with situations that require us to forgive. Many may not know how and why they should forgive. That’s why we should all know The Importance Of Forgiveness In The Bible.  It is more of an important topic than many think it is. Unforgiveness can cause a lot of issues in your life.

 

I can’t forgive

There may be many reasons why you won’t forgive, I am going to give you a few.

 

 

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Holding a grudge as control

So, your husband or your child did something that was really disappointing to you. They have apologized and hoped that the apology would make the situation better, but it hasn’t. That’s because you have chosen not to forgive them so you can always have something over their head.

 

It’s controlling. By throwing it constantly back at them, they feel guilty and always in debt to you. You can use it as manipulation to get what you want from them. As a result, they will try to win your trust or forgiveness by giving gifts and in other materialistic ways.

 

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Forgiveness means I condone the behavior

Here’s something that we might say, “I want to forgive, but if I do that means that I am okay with what they did.” That is a lie from Satan. He has used this to blind you from the truth.

 

Forgiving someone does not mean that you are okay with what they did. Forgiveness is for your benefit. Once you forgive you have freed yourself from the inner turmoil that you were dealing with and Satan doesn’t want you to be free.

 

Forgiveness means that I now have to go back to being their friend

Your best friend betrayed you yes, your best friend. You are so hurt and upset, but you want to forgive the person. You are holding back because you think that once you forgive them you now should start having coffee or lunch with that person.

 

That is not true. You can forgive someone without continuing the relationship. Why would you put yourself back into a situation to be hurt again? 

 

These are all misconceptions when forgiving someone you shouldn’t be concerned about how they feel. You should only be concerned about the fact that it will benefit you and that it’s for your own good. Forgiveness will free you from the weight and at that moment you release it to God.

  

What is the true definition of forgiveness?

Psychologists define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

 

Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, nor does it mean condoning or excusing offenses.

 

Is forgiveness a choice?

I heard someone say that “unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”  This is so true. Holding a grudge is harmful to you and not really hurting the other person at all. 

 

Unforgiveness can have an effect on your health, your personality, and your overall happiness. That’s why we all need to know the Importance Of Forgiveness In The Bible. God knows how much unforgiveness can harm you and He wants you to live a victorious life!

 

Forgiveness is a choice, it may be a hard choice and it may seem impossible, but the bottom line is, it’s up to you to make the decision to forgive. It’s not a decision based on how you may feel, because the flesh is at war with the spirit, the flesh wants to do what feels good and that is usually what we shouldn’t do.

 

You will need to side with your spirit and bring your flesh under control. Galatians 5:16 KJV This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

 

How do I forgive?

I will tell you what I do in order to forgive and this has worked for me.

 

• Acknowledge that your feelings are real and that it hurts. I talk to the Lord and tell him how I feel about the hurt, it’s okay to cry. Your heart does ache when someone hurts you tell it to Jesus. Don’t tell your other friends or your family, that just makes the situation worse. Go directly to the Lord, He understands, and He knows the pain that you are feeling.

 

• Admit that you need the Lord’s help. I ask the Lord to soften my heart towards the person that hurt me.

 

• Make a conscious decision to forgive. I say, Lord, help me to forgive…” This way you have brought it to the Lord and told him that you are forgiving the person, so you feel accountable to keep your word.

 

• Release the event that happened. Do not replay it over and over again in your mind. Do not continue to talk about it. Do not let it settle in your spirit and begin to grow bitterness and animosity.

 

• Pray for the person that hurt you. Matthew 5:44 KJV But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. At this point, I know that I have truly forgiven the person when I am able to pray for them.

 

 

Spiritual benefits of forgiveness

We know that there are physical benefits for forgiveness, but there are also spiritual benefits.

 

Act of Obedience

When we forgive someone we are being obedient to the word of God. It is important that we obey the commands of the Lord.

 

1 Samuel 15:22 KJV Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. Being obedient shows that we love and trust the Lord that what His word says is for our own good.

 

Shows spiritual strength

Forgiving someone shows that you are strong spiritually. The flesh would stay in a state of anger and bitterness, but forgiveness shows that you are walking after the spirit.

 

Your Spirit man is greater and has dominion over the flesh. You never know how this may affect others that are watching, it could be a great testimony.

 

Prayers are no longer hindered

If you are holding a grudge and bitterness against another person, your prayers will not be answered. Sometimes we may wonder why our prayers seem to go unanswered, in those situations we need to check our heart to see if we are harboring any unforgiveness and bitterness.  

 

You will receive forgiveness

If we do not forgive others then God will not forgive us for our sins. That is a scary thought, that alone should make us want to forgive right away.

 

 Mark 11:25 KJV 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.

 

The importance of forgiveness in the Bible

Matthew 6:14-15 KJV For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

Mark 11:23-25 KJV For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire when ye pray believe that you have received them, and ye shall have them. 25 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.

 

Matthew 18:21-22 KJV Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I have to forgive him? Till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee until seven times: but until seventy times seven.

 

Examples of forgiveness in the Bible

We can use the Bible as an example of forgiveness. There are many stories in the Bible where forgiveness was given, even in very hard situations.

 

The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32 KJV tells the story of a man that had two sons, the younger wanted his share of the estate, so the father divided it in half and gave him his portion. The son left and squandered his wealth irresponsibly and was left with nothing.

 

After a while, the son returned home and said to the father that he was no longer worthy to be his son and that he sinned against him. The father immediately forgave him and had a big feast for him.

 

Joseph

Genesis 37-50 KJV tells the story of Joseph…to sum it up. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. They sold him as a slave to some merchants and was taken to Egypt, his brothers faked his death. Joseph went through many trials and ended up in prison due to a false accusation.

 

God’s hand was on him and he was brought from the prison to the palace due to his gift of interpreting dreams. There was a famine and because of Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, they stored up enough food that they were able to sell to others during that time.

 

Canaan was also affected by the famine and this is where his family lived. His brothers came to him for grain but did not recognize it was him, but he knew it was them. Through many different circumstances, it came down to the point where Joseph forgave them and was reunited with his family.

 

Now you can see the Importance Of Forgiveness In The Bible. You can also see how important forgiveness is for our physical health, but also for our spiritual health. Jesus did the greatest act of forgiveness when he said father forgive them for they know not what they do after he was beaten and tortured. 

 

What love, what obedience! That alone should be the only example we need to make the decision to forgive. Jesus suffered and died for us although we didn’t deserve it so that we could have eternal life.

 

He forgave us of our sins and remembers them no more according to Isaiah 43:25 KJV. As a result, we need to forgive others no matter what the situation may be, just look to the cross and remember what Jesus did for you.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to forgive, give me a heart of love and soften my heart. Help me to always remember how much you love me that you sent Jesus to die so that I might receive forgiveness. Thank you, Heavenly Father I believe that I have received what I asked for, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

 

Prayer For Salvation

If you are not a believer and you want to receive forgiveness for your sins or if you were a believer and you strayed away from God, repeat this prayer.

Dear Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive me of my sin. Wash me and cleanse me. Set me free. Jesus, thank You that You died for me. I believe that You have risen from the dead and that You’re coming back again for me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Give me a passion for the lost, a hunger for the things of God and a holy boldness to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m saved; I’m born again, I’m forgiven and I’m on my way to Heaven because I have Jesus in my heart. Amen.

Congratulations you are saved! Now that you have accepted Jesus into your heart, find a Bible-believing church, and attend regularly, so that you can grow in your knowledge and faith in God. Pray daily, read the Bible, go to church, and tell someone that you accepted Jesus into your heart.  Please email me at nichole@rosemariesheart.com and let me know so that I can pray for you.

 

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