How many times have you heard someone say, “I’ll forgive you this time, but you owe me?” The reason they feel the person owes them is because in reality they haven’t forgiven that person. If they would have truly forgiven them, then they would have “canceled the debt,” and nothing would have been owed.
Many good Christians are carrying around extra baggage. They are weighed down with inner hurts and resentments and the result is, they are being destroyed.
In 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Paul said that he forgave everything. He then goes on to say that we should not be ignorant of the devil’s devices, and one of the devices, or tools, he uses against the church is unforgiveness.
Unforgiveness, if not taken care of, will consume you. Bitterness and revenge creeps in easily and sin is born.
Once a man told me that he was not holding unforgiveness. He was just hurt. Let’s get real. We are just calling unforgiveness by a more acceptable word. When someone hurts you and you hold on to that offense, that’s unforgiveness and unforgiveness displeases God.
Some people are waiting around for the one who has wronged them to repay them somehow. Again, let’s get real here. There’s no way that people who have wronged you can ever repay you. You just have to let it go.
Forgiveness means to LET IT GO! You just have to decide to cancel that debt. They can’t repay you the years of hurt, and even if they wanted to, they couldn’t. God is the only one who restores, not man. You just need to LET IT GO!
Satan does not want you to forgive anyone for anything. He wants you to hold on to every hurt and pain. He wants you destroyed and he knows that unforgiveness will do it.
Jesus said in Mark 11:24-26, “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.”
Jesus said that if we didn’t forgive others, then God would not forgive us. We could elaborate on this, but how much clearer could Jesus be? If we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven.
Once a lady said, “But you don’t understand. I can’t forgive this person who has hurt me and my family. My hurt was not imagined. He really did hurt me.” Well, that’s the point. The ones who really do hurt you are the ones who need forgiveness. Jesus died for the guilty, not the righteous. Only the guilty need to be forgiven.
And let me say this. Sometimes the one in unforgiveness is the only miserable one. All the time you’re miserable, the one who hurt you is probably out having a good time.
Forgiveness is for you. Forgiveness will set you free. Don’t be concerned about the other person. Just let it go. Sometimes your unforgiveness doesn’t even affect the other person. That’s the way unforgiveness is. The one that is destroyed is the one who won’t forgive.
You may say, “I already have, but they have done it again. I can’t keep forgiving them.” Yes, you can. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he was to forgive his brother, Jesus said there is no limit.
Unforgiveness is a device of the devil. Don’t let the devil destroy your life. Let it go.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.