Unforgiveness Equals Bitterness

Last week I talked about what I have learned these last few years about forgiveness. I talked about why it is important to not only ask the person for forgiveness but to also repent to God.

Next, not forgiving someone only hurts you and your relationships.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (AMP) says,

 ^“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.”

This does not mean just your relationship with that person. You actually poison other relationships around you with your bitterness. The more you hold onto the pain that person has caused you, the deeper you let that pain take root in your life. And if you have children, you are teaching them to not forgive.

Which brings me to my third point. You teach your children how to forgive. It is NOT human nature to want to forgive. It is our sinful nature that wants us to hold on to that anger and pain. But if we do that, how are we suppose to teach our kids to forgive. You do not want your child to suffer with the pain and bitterness that comes with being unforgiving. How do you teach them about the greatest gift they have ever received (Jesus dying for their sins) while holding a grudge. Satan can destroy you through unforgiveness.

Later this week I will conclude this series and talk about “how” to forgive even when you don’t “feel forgiving”.

If you are struggling with forgiveness and need help, contact us we can help you.