Releasing Unforgiveness
Mk. 11:25 • I Pt. 2:21-23 • Mt. 5:43-48 • Eph. 4:32
- Understanding Anger
- Anger is a healthy emotion when it provokes you to do good or welcomes God’s character in you.
- Anger is a sin when it develops into unforgiveness or causes destruction. Eph. 4:26
- Not a demon, but a fruit of the flesh Ga. 5:20
- The cycle: hurt, anger, unforgiveness, resentment or revenge
- Unresolved anger always leads to either internal and external destruction.
- Understanding Forgiveness
- Not a feeling or an emotional response
- A choice of your will based on obedience to God’s Word
- A gift someone does not deserve
- Letting go of your “right” for revenge knowing that God is just and will appropriately judge, punish or release mercy to your offender.
- Not an option, but a commandment… for your sake
- How to Forgive Others
- Focus on God’s forgiveness towards you. Mt. 18:21-35
- Follow Christ’s example. I Pt. 2:21-23
- Pray for your offender. Mt. 5:43-38
- Ask God to show you your offender’s spiritual/emotional inadequacies for them to hurt you so deeply.
- Choose to forgive, ignore your feelings and write down the date.
- Continually replace reoccurring angry thoughts with God’s Word. Rom. 12:2
- Expect the Holy Spirit to supply the grace needed to walk in forgiveness. II Co. 12:9
- Accept what you cannot change.
Hurt people hurt people.
If they had known better, they would have done better.
The antidote for anger is God’s love.
