Forgiveness or forgiving people is always very difficult especially when we’ve been hurt very deeply. However, it remains the best thing to do each time someone offends us. The ability to forgive people shows strength of character. When two persons have a rift, the one who takes the step towards reconciliation is actually the bigger person.

The problem with unforgiveness

Many times, the devil tries to give us all the tenable reasons we shouldn’t forgive those who have hurt us. He brings pride or our ego to stand in the way of forgiveness by telling us that we’ll be perceived as weak and feeble minded when we do. Sometimes also, he makes us believe that we’d be taken for granted when we forgive people easily.

These are simply part of his scheme to ensure that we get shut out from receiving God’s forgiveness for our own sins. Mathew 6:14-15 spelt this out clearly: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

The devil uses unforgiveness to gain access into our lives. We need to pay attention to the Holy Spirit whenever he calls our attention to anyone he wants us to forgive. Yes, the Holy Spirit takes his time to point out the persons we still have grudges against – if only you’d listen.

In my own case, there’s been four different occasions where the Holy Spirit reminded me of those who offended me at different times. Prior to this, I’ve convinced myself countless times that I had nothing against these persons, the Holy Spirit had to show me clearly through dreams that I was actually lying to myself. Thankfully, I followed each dream up with reconciliation move toward each of those individuals. This is a clear indication that unforgiveness isn’t something God wants in our lives.

Why we need to forgive:

• We need to forgive others in order to be qualified to receive God’s forgiveness. When we refuse to forgive, our prayers go unanswered.
• Forgiveness is a divine command (Colossians 3:13). This basically means that when we refuse to forgive others, we’re simply living in disobedience.
• Unforgiveness shuts the door of God’s blessings in our lives. But forgiveness opens it. Psalm 32:1 – Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
• We’re unburdened from bitterness when we forgive. And peace is granted thereafter.
• Unforgiveness would deprive any believer of heaven. It’s one of those subtle weapons that the devil is using to push many of us out of God’s kingdom.

Lastly, Jesus modeled the importance of forgiveness; when he prayed and asked God to forgive those who stripped, whipped and nailed him to the cross. It’s important we see forgiveness as a command, and not an option. Let’s do more forgiving this season. Our peace of mind and making heaven at the end of the day; are more than enough reasons to let go of those grudges.

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