Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. - Luke 6:37
The Holy Spirit is grieved by our grumbling, our complaining, our lack of kindness, our lack of deeply forgiving others from the heart, and we are sowing negative seeds by judging, condemning and not being willing to forgive. The reason the Holy Spirit is grieved is because He loves each of us so intensely, and He knows the great harm that will come into our lives and the lives of our loved ones from negative seeds of unforgiveness. Judging, condemning, complaining and unforgiveness are all intertwined. They are related to each other. They all indicate a lack of forgiveness.
What harm can come from such negative sowing of unforgiveness? Damaged health, broken marriages, ruined relationships with children, with other Christians, and with fellow employees are just some of the harmful effects that come to the unforgiving. Since forgiveness and the release of bitterness which it engenders are so important, we must learn what true forgiveness is, what it isn’t and how we can effectively forgive.
What Forgiveness Is Not
- Forgiveness is not weakness, but strength.
- Forgiveness does not restore trust, but opens the door to the possibility of reestablishing such trust. Forgiveness is a free gift. Trust must be earned.
- Forgiveness often does not include a restoration of a relationship, friendship or marriage. You must forgive your divorced or separated spouse, ex-prayer partner, ex-boss or ex-pastor, but the relationship often will not be restored.
- Forgiveness is not condoning sin or saying that what was done is okay. If a person has sinned against you and/or God, he or she is guilty and must answer to God. He has said:
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. - Romans 12:19
