GOD’S COMMANDMENT ON FORGIVENESS

Life is full of challenges, and at some point, people will inevitably offend and disappoint you;
even those you respect and admire. Finding peace and accepting that forgiveness is the right choice can be difficult. Sheila Watt, on this week’s episode of Life2Win with Heartsong Live Radio, shares how we could take control of our lives through God’s commands on forgiveness.

God has commanded us to forgive. We have to remember that God has graciously forgiven
us. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross made our redemption possible, and refusing to do so is an
act of direct disobedience against God.

 

WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?
Forgiveness means different things to different people, but at its core, it is an intentional
decision to release anger and resentment. While the memory of an offence may remain,
choosing to forgive diminishes its power over you.
From a biblical perspective, forgiveness is a spiritual discipline that allows us to grow in
Christ and experience an abundant life. God has already done everything; He has given His
Son, Jesus, who died so that we could live eternally. The Bible is our instruction book, and
within it, we find the answers to every challenge.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT FORGIVENESS
● Mark 11:25 – “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone,
forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
● Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you.”
● Luke 6:37 – “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will
not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
● Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a
grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

THE CHALLENGE OF FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness can be challenging because emotions and thoughts often resist it. Your challenge
is a force that operates in your mind, emotions, and will. This is called “Sense knowledge.”
The “sense of knowledge” is a kind that people who are not born again have. They let their
senses, minds, emotions, and will fuel their decision to forgive. But as believers, we are
called to follow God’s ways, and that’s the “revealed knowledge.”

Unforgiveness can trap a person in bitterness, affecting both their soul and spiritual walk.
However, choosing forgiveness means embracing God’s wisdom, walking in obedience, and
experiencing true freedom. It increases the risk of various physical and emotional
challenges, e.g., high blood pressure and depression. The devil wants you to be trapped in
bitterness. But experts say forgiveness leads to healthier relationships, improved heart and
mental health, less anxiety, stress, and hostility, fewer symptoms of depression, and
improved self-esteem.

Your relationship with the Father flows when you choose to forgive. If you hold onto
unforgiveness, there will be a block, much like a partially clogged pipe that slows water
flow. 1 John 1:9 (KJV) says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive
us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Unforgiveness gives the devil a foothold,
and a foothold can become a stronghold. But when you forgive, you obey God’s instruction
and step into freedom.

 

HOW TO FORGIVE
1. Make the Decision to Forgive – Don’t wait for feelings to align; choose to forgive as an act
of obedience. You will never forgive yourself if you wait until you feel like it.

2. Resist the Devil – The devil uses bitterness to destroy lives, but you can reject his
schemes.

3. Depend on the Power of the Holy Spirit – You can do it! Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but
with God’s power, it is possible.

4. Pray for Those Who Hurt You – Luke 6:27-28 encourages us to love and pray for our
enemies: “But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate
You, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

5. Watch Your Words – You cannot forgive and then gossip about it; true forgiveness means
refraining from gossip and bitterness. Proverbs 4:23 (AMPC) warns us: “Keep and guard
your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flows the springs of
life.”

THE COST OF UNFORGIVENESS
Unforgiveness burdens the heart and mind, causing unnecessary suffering. Holding onto
resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to suffer.

Situations where forgiveness is necessary:

• Betrayal in relationships
• A broken business partnership/Business disputes
• Childhood trauma
• Daily annoyances like rude drivers or long queues

Forgiveness does not excuse the offender; it frees you. When you surrender your pain to
God, you find peace. Romans 12:19 reminds us: “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but
leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
So, it’s more beneficial for you to forgive, and you have to trust God because he wants you to
be completely free.

PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF FORGIVENESS
Before becoming a Christian, I was in a three-year relationship, convinced it would lead to
marriage. However, he fell in love with someone else. The heartbreak was unbearable; I lost
my appetite and struggled to sleep. To make matters worse, I had to work alongside the
woman he chose. Healing took time, but after accepting Christ, I chose to forgive. Over time,
I even came to appreciate the woman. However, looking back, I wish I had known God’s Word earlier;
It would have brought me peace much sooner.

WALKING IN FORGIVENESS DAILY
Forgiveness isn’t a one-time event; it is a daily commitment. The enemy will try to bring up
past hurts, but in those moments, pray: “God, I forgive them as You forgive me. Bless them,
Lord.”
Today is the day to leave the baggage and the past hurt behind. Don’t allow small
grievances to build into deep wounds. Run to God, not away from Him. As in Philippians 4:13
declares: “I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me
strength.”
Choose to follow God’s command to forgive and embrace the abundant freedom He has
prepared for you.

 

For more insights, follow Heartsong Live Radio:
Instagram
X (Twitter)
Facebook
LinkedIn
Website

 

Written and compiled by PraiseAfolabi