Unforgiveness is drinking poison thinking the other person is suffering.
The person you haven’t forgiven isn’t suffering.. you are.
Unforgiveness blocks your blessings.
Unforgiveness keeps spiritual doors open for the enemy to walk in.
Unforgiveness doesn’t allow deliverance.
Unforgiveness hinders your ability to grow spiritually.
Unforgiveness is usually caused by offense or hurt that allows resentment (bitterness) and anger to stir.
We can’t heal from things that we’re holding that is hurting us.
There is a story in Mark 11 about Jesus cursing a fig tree.
His disciples saw the next day that the roots had withered & died, the very same tree Jesus cursed the day before. (Mark 11:20-21)
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:22-24)
Then Jesus goes on about the power of forgiveness...
25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26)
This is a formula on how prayers can be answered coming straight from these verses...
#1 Have faith in God (Mark 11:22)
#2 Do not doubt (Mark 11:23)
#3 Believe in your heart (Mark 11:23)
#4 Forgive (Mark 11:25)
#5 Gods will (1 John 5:14)
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15)
Our prayers MUST be according to His will for God to hear us.
Our prayers might be aligned with His will... but if we don't forgive, it may block our blessings.
Unforgiveness may hinder our ability to allow prayers to be answered.
The bible is very clear that we must forgive.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:13)
14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
Forgiveness starts the healing process.
Forgiveness allows you to see differently.
Forgiveness gives you strength to move forward.
When I forgive, I give away the bitterness, anger & hurt… so i can make room for God.
How to forgive?
Prayer (pray and ask the Lord for strength)
Trust (trust in Him through the pain)
Surrender (surrender all the anger, bitterness over to Him)
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus asked the Father to forgive them... while He was on the cross.