The Poison of Unforgiveness
I heard a minister make a statement that was so profound.
He was talking about refusing to forgive someone. About wanting to hold a grudge against someone, when God says forgive. He said, “unforgiveness is like saying, I am going to drink this poison and kill them.” In other words, we drink the poison of unforgiveness thinking it will hurt the one we are refusing to forgive.
It does not hurt them, it hurts us. If we hold on to unforgiveness, it does not poison them. We are the one who is poisoned.
As bad as that is, it does not stop there. Unforgiveness will hinder our prayer life. It will stop our blessing. And it will invite the devil into our lives.
Mark 11:23-26 says; 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. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
God doesn’t ask us to forgive others. He commands it. If you are holding on to unforgiveness…don’t fool yourself, neither are you forgiven. God said so. He also says it gives the devil a way into your life.
Ephesians 4:26-27 in the Amplified Bible says; When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no such room or foothold for the devil, give no opportunity to him.
Do you realize when you refuse to forgive, when you choose to remain angry at others, you give the devil opportunity to come into your life? It’s true. It is the word of God.
Jesus takes unforgiveness very seriously. Take a look at the following story:
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!’ To 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.”
What happened to the one who had been forgiven debt yet refused to forgive debt? He was delivered to the torturers. The word of God says the same thing will be done for us, the forgiven, if we refuse to forgive. OUCH!
My friends, some things are too costly. Unforgiveness is one of those things. It will affect your prayer life. It will hinder your blessings. And it will give the devil a foothold in your life.
Today, if you have anything against anyone…forgive them. Let it go. Let God have them and move on. Refuse the poison of unforgiveness.
“Fear begins in the imagination.” KP
