Unforgiveness

Few people talk about unforgiveness.  Unforgiveness happens when you choose to hold onto an offense (whether real or perceived) committed by another.  I was given a really interesting analogy this past week about unforgiveness.  It is like a person drinking poison to get back at the person who offended them.  The odd thing is--it makes the person drinking the poison sick not the offender.

Unforgiveness truly is poison.  When you choose not to forgive someone bitterness takes root in your heart.  Then it sprouts into bouts of anger.  Anger then produces malice, rage, debauchery, etc.  Luke 6:45 tells us "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
So, how do we keep from poisoning ourselves?  James 5:16 tells us "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."  As long as we carry unforgiveness with us we will truly be sick.

Also, when you consider the forgiveness that you have received from God for your sins, how can you not forgive another man/woman for their offense to you?  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32

Who do you need to forgive today?  Don't allow bitterness to take root in your heart.