The 3 D's of Unforgiveness

Unforgiveness brings Division, Devastation, and Destruction

2 Corinthians 2: 7-11 Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Why is forgiving someone so hard to do? Someone has done something to us and we want them the pay dearly for what they did. They hurt us and we want them to hurt as badly as we do. Let me take it one step further; has someone in your church, perhaps a church leader, ever done something to hurt you? 

In 2 Corinthians 2, Paul is talking to the Corinthians about forgiving brothers and sisters in Christ who have been disciplined in the church and repented of their actions. Satan would love nothing better than to cause division in the church and strife among the body of Christ. If he can get in and cause division in a church by growing the root of unforgiveness, he will. I have seen first-hand how Satan can grow an unforgiving root in a church. The devastation, division and destruction it brings is heart breaking.

I am not going to pretend it’s a piece of cake, forgiveness isn’t easy. But forgiving is something that must be done if we are obedient to the Word. Matthew 6:14 – 15 tells us

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

We also see in Corinthians 13:5 that

“Love does not count up wrongs that have been done.”

It is our responsibility as Christians to let go!

“Impossible!” you say? 

Nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37) 

Sometimes forgiveness starts with a commitment to just lay the burden down at the foot of the cross. Try to picture this image in your mind. See yourself approaching the cross with the “unforgiveness issue” in hand. Kneel there and tell Christ you are leaving the issue with Him, rise in confidence knowing you’ve laid your burden down, and then walk away.

Continue to pray and ask God to help you keep the burden at the foot of the cross. Should you feel yourself getting upset or angry because you’ve “picked the issue back up,” return to the cross and lay it back down.  You may have to lay it down every day…it’s ok. Trust that God is working in you.

Satan wants us to hold unto our unforgiveness, when we let go we outwit him and are drawn one step closer to Christ.

When waves come crashing down

You are never alone! 

Psalm 20:7 (AMP) Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God.

When it comes right down to it…who do you trust? When you are in the thick of the fight who is it that you turn to? Do you put your trust in the “things” that you can touch and feel or do you turn to the One who will never leave your side? 

This verse in Psalm was written by David as a prayer for victory in battle. David knew that only God, not the fire-power or greatness of the army, would be able to lead them to victory. David was confident that God would deliver him to safety and protect him. He didn’t have to boast in anything else.

There is another story in the Bible that reminds me of trust. It’s found in Matthew. Peter and the other disciples were in a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee when a raging storm came upon them. They were afraid for their lives. They were even more afraid when they saw what appeared to be a ghost walking on the water. “Don’t be afraid! It’s me.” With that Peter responded, “Lord if it’s you tell me to come and I will come!” 

The response came “Come.” 

Without hesitation Peter flung his leg over the side of the boat and was out on the furious sea on his way to Jesus. Why? Because Peter knew and trusted Jesus.

So what happens next in the story? Peter and Jesus hang out on the water and life if fine, right? Nope! When Peter looked at the circumstances around him and was overcome by the waves and began to sink.

I sure am glad I’m not the only one that takes their eyes off Jesus every now and again. How about you? This story gives me hope because Peter trusted Jesus enough to step out on to the water but, once out there, he his focus off of the only One who could actually keep him safe. 

Yikes! Puts things into perspective doesn’t it?

Going back to Psalm 20: 7, what or who is it that you're putting your trust in? Is it a person or a substance or something to get you through the “stuff” of life or is it the only ONE who will never leave you or forsake you?