What forgiveness is (P.4): the consequences of not forgiving

Bonjour my sister/brother in CHRIST! Salut trumpet !

May peace and joy be with you! " My flesh and my heart fail; But GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalms 73:26, NKJV). Do not interpret GOD's silence as indifference. There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). " For we have no power against the truth, but only for the truth." (2 Corinthians 13:8). You shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD (Psalm 118:17, Psalm 73:28). He will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go (Psalm 32:8). He will guide you with His counsel, and will receive you to glory the day of your return (Psalm 73:24). Until then, press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of GOD in CHRIST JESUS (Philippians 3:13-14). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of CHRIST, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. “ (2 Corinthians 5:10) ”Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may impact grace to the heares." (Ephesians 4:29)

Part 1

1. The different words for forgiveness in the Bible

2. What forgiveness is

Part 2

3. Forgiving from the heart (with all your heart), 70 times 7

4. Why forgive (23 reasons)

5. Why leave vengeance and retribution to GOD

6. The consequences of of not forgiving (GOD, oneself, and others)

Part 3

7. How to forgive: oneself and others

8. Being at peace with GOD

❖ "Then JESUS said, 'FATHER, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.' And they divided His garments and cast lots." (Luke 23:34, NKJV)

❖ “For if you forgive [aphiemi, Strong 863, Greek] men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6: 14-15, NKJV)

❖ "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." (Matthew 7:1-5, NKJV)

❖ "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged. Condemn not, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:36-38, NKJV)

6. The consequences of not forgiving (GOD, oneself, and others)

Previously, we looked at what forgiveness is and what it is not. Then we answered the questions: Can we forgive and complain? Why forgive? Why leave vengeance and retribution to GOD? If you haven't read these articles yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. As well as those on wounds of the soul, the difference between healing and restoration, and a list of verses on forgiveness. If you are oppressed by suicidal thoughts, the series on suicidal thoughts and how to overcome them will help you. These articles have helped us to free ourselves from the fear of forgiving, the fear of trusting GOD, the fear of denouncing and complaining (fear of sinning). Thank you, 🙂 HOLY SPIRIT!

Those who are afraid to forgive think that forgiving means forgetting, approving of evil, becoming an accomplice to evil, or reconciling. The people most affected are those whose loved ones are suffering, have suffered, or have died because of someone else's actions or mistakes. They are afraid to forgive because they think that forgiving means abandoning their loved ones in their suffering or not giving importance to their loved ones' pain. It is a feeling similar to the fear of mourning a loved one. Some psychologists call it the fear of forgetting.

Those who are afraid to trust GOD have a superficial or unbalanced knowledge of the Word. They blame GOD for what they or one of their loved ones are going through or have gone through.

Those who are afraid to speak out and file complaints (fear of committing a sin) are very often victims of abuse (spiritual, emotional, and/or physical), victims of false teachings and ignorance. Either they fear that the situation will worsen: the offender is influential, has a position of authority, the victims are financially or medically dependent on the offender. Or they mistakenly believe that reporting someone who appears to be serving GOD is a grave sin. If this is the case for you, know that GOD does not want you to live in suffering: report it.

The consequences of not forgiving are all negative.

1. Giving access or a place to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Mark 3:23-26).

2. Depriving oneself of grace, mercy, communion, the peace of CHRIST, love, and leading to a loss of love (Hebrews 12:15, Matthew 6:14-15, 1 John 4:16, 1 John 4:20-21, Mark 11:25-26, Galatians 6:7-9, James 2:12-13, Matthew 18:21-35, Luke 6:36-38).

3. Delay or hinder the healing and restoration of the soul: those affected are so focused on the past, the offender, the offense, or the consequences of the offense that they are unable to move forward, enjoy the present, or enjoy the blessings, opportunities, and good relationships that GOD gives them.

4. Deteriorating health and limiting prosperity (Psalm 32:1-5, Matthew 9:1-8; 3 John 1:2).

5. Grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:26-30).

6. Preventing us from being in the image of GOD (Ephesians 4:31-32).

7. Prevents the establishment of healthy and lasting relationships. We cannot have good relationships with our loved ones and others if we do not forgive one another. We cannot move forward if we spend our time looking back. Even when reconciliation is not desired, impossible, or unthinkable, we must be able to forgive in order to move forward.

8. It impairs spiritual discernment and feeds pride.

   1. Lucifer could have questioned GOD, he could have repented, but he chose to believe himself equal to GOD, to disobey him, and to hate human beings. He became Satan, was banished from GOD's presence, and is condemned for eternity.

   2. The Pharisees were so filled with pride and resentment that they could not discern who JESUS was.

   3. Pharaoh was so filled with pride and bitterness that he pursued the Jewish people after GOD warned him through Moses. He lost everything and died in the sea. Instead of questioning GOD, Mary resented Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman and not an Israelite. She died without reaching the Promised Land.

   4. It is easy to misinterpret dreams and visions when we harbor resentment. A well-known strategy of demons is to send dreams in which those we have not forgiven say mean things to us, do detestable things, or encourage us to sin.

Let's read a few verses

❖ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27, NKJV)

❖ "So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: 'How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.'" (Mark 3:23-26, NKJV)

GOD recognizes that despite our good intentions, incidents, events, words, and actions can make us angry. However, we must not sin. We must not hold on to anger, resentment, negative feelings, and negative thoughts. Being offended or hurt is not an excuse to sin or hurt others. Temperance and a willingness to forgive must be our testimony. We are in CHRIST because GOD has forgiven us. It is unforgivable not to forgive. Reconciliation, like communion, is conditional. But forgiveness is unconditional.

Not forgiving is to believe that we are judges in GOD's place. It is not trusting GOD. It is rejecting GOD's hand. It is holding on to resentment, bitterness, sourness, negative feelings, and negative thoughts (e.g., wishing ill on someone). It is refusing to submit to GOD's justice. It is disobeying GOD and adopting the devil's mentality. It is agreeing with the devil. Consequently, it is giving him access to your life, your soul, and your home.

🙂 Let's pause for a moment and reread the previous paragraph. If we don't understand the importance of something, we won't be able to make good use of it. In previous articles, we saw what forgiveness, vengeance, and justice are, and what forgiveness is not. Now, let us answer sincerely the question of what it means not to forgive. Let us answer truthfully (let us be neutral), regardless of any offense or injustice we suffer or have suffered.

JESUS said that the ruler of this world has nothing in Him (John 14:30). Satan is a liar, a thief, a killer, and a destroyer (John 8:44, John 10:10). He wants only our misfortune. He seeks only to serve his own interests. We cannot repel him by holding on to things from him. We cannot be free from demonic influences if we justify resentment, bitterness, negative feelings, or the devil's thoughts. We cannot fight hatred with hatred.

"For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45, Matthew 12:34-35, Matthew 15:18-19, Proverbs 23:7, NKJV). Words and actions reflect thoughts and feelings, which in turn reflect meditations: thoughts and feelings that are cultivated or nurtured. Lack of forgiveness nurtures what is not of GOD. What is not of GOD cannot produce what is of GOD. 🙂 A coconut tree does not produce guavas. One cannot separate the fruits of the Holy Spirit from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). That is why it is written "the fruit" and not "the fruits." Because the tree is unique. What we call the fruits of the Holy Spirit are stages of maturation of the fruit that is Love. Thus, the lack of forgiveness is a stage in the ripening of the fruit of the devil, which is hatred. The devil is incapable of compassion because he is incapable of love. He can only pretend. We can only give what we have. GOD gives life. The devil gives death. Thus, ultimately, the consequence of unforgiveness is death.

❖ "So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:12-13, NKJV)

❖ "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;" (Hebrews 12:14-15, NKJV)

❖ "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15, NKJV)

❖ "Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, "Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all." Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what you owe!" So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you all." And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, "You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.'" (Matthew 18:21-35, NKJV)

GOD does not cease to love those who do not forgive. But his intervention in their lives is limited by the disposition of their hearts. These people exclude themselves from grace and place themselves under the rule of the law.

The absence of forgiveness limits GOD's intervention and the activation of His grace. GOD Himself had to forgive us before He could save us. While we were totally unworthy, JESUS paid the price for our sins and offered us forgiveness and reconciliation (Romans 5:8). When we truly realize the inestimable value of what He has done, we understand that we must make good use of it and allow others to benefit from it. We benefit from mercy and grace. We are called to have the same attitude and disposition of heart toward ourselves and toward others.

Guilt and resentment only serve the devil's interests. GOD wants you to be free. Free from anything that can deprive you of grace and mercy. Free from any influence and access the devil may have over your life. Free from ignorance, guilt, resentment, bitterness, fear, blindness (spiritual and emotional), etc.

Studies have shown that forgiveness is beneficial to health, reducing the risk of heart attack, improving cholesterol levels and sleep, and reducing blood pressure and levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. It has also been shown that those whose souls are healthy (peace, joy, faith) heal more easily and are restored more quickly than others. As a reminder, the goal of healing is in the present: to eliminate disease, heal wounds, and restore proper functioning. The goal of restoration is in the future: to reestablish, rebuild, and redeem time. GOD heals because He loves us. He restores because He is faithful.

No pain and no resentment are worth the loss of your salvation. For GOD can heal you of everything, restore you from everything, console you for everything, avenge you for everything, and reward you for everything. It is therefore unforgivable not to forgive. Do not let the lack of forgiveness lead to your death. Do not eat the devil's bread. Eat the word of GOD. Seek peace with CHRIST and communion with the HOLY SPIRIT. May the peace of CHRIST and the consolation of the HOLY SPIRIT be your portion. Amen.

** Bonjour = good morning in french

** Salut = Hello in french