The Prevalent Curse of Unforgiveness

Unforgiveness is probably one of the most prevalent curses that are plaguing so many people today. The one thing that makes the curse of unforgiveness so prevalent is the reality of how it is impossible to live without offenses. (See Luke 17:1,2) Another reason is that offenses is a part of Satan’s plans to gain legal authority whereby he can have the advantage.
(See II Corinthians 2:10,11)

In Luke 17:1-6 God gives us some very important insights into how we should respond when we are offended.

HOW SHOULD YOU RESPOND TO OFFENSES:

• We are to anticipate getting offended since it is impossible to live without offenses. (See Luke 17:1)

• When we are offended, we are not to take vengeance nor harbor any resentment toward the offender.
  (See Luke 17:2; Romans 12:17-21; Leviticus 19:18)

• Whenever we are offended, we should become very cautious and prudent in our response. Because we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices we must use caution to avoid the danger of entrapment, while using prudence, wisdom and foresight to respond to the offense. (See Proverbs 22:3)

• When you are offended by your brother you are to rebuke him, tell him his fault. If he seeks your forgiveness, you are to forgive him. (See Luke 17:3; Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:32)

• Here is a clue to one of Satan’s devices when it comes to tempting us not to forgive. When we are being constantly   offended by one person, we can rest assure that it’s the device of Satan at work. (See Luke 17:4) Note: Here is an important question for us all. What gives Satan the authority to use this very plan of attack against the believer? Satan understands that every believer must forgive as he or she has been forgiven. (See Ephesians 4:32) Satan also knows that if we don’t forgive than we won’t be forgiven. (See Matthew 6:12,14-15) Meaning that some how to minimize the work of the cross. (See Colossians 2:14,15) Insight: It was through the blood of the cross that Jesus reconciled all things unto himself. (See Colossians 1:20) Reconciliation is the process of restoring broken relationships, most notably between God and humanity, and between people. Thus, the blood of the cross is the very means whereby God has eliminated any excuse for a broken relationship with those who have offended you. Based on Deuteronomy 23:7-8 God forbids Israelites from abhorring or detesting Egyptians, even though they were oppressed and enslaved by them.

• When it comes to dealing with this device of the devil, we definitely need an increase of faith. (See Luke 17:5) Remember, we must respond to offenses by faith and not by our feelings. When facing this situation we need to pray, asking God to strengthen our belief, trust, and confidence. It signifies a desire to overcome our doubts, challenges, and to have the strength to act according to God's will, even when it's difficult. This reflects that we recognize our personal inadequacy and the need for greater spiritual conviction to see God's plan through. (See II Corinthians 12:9-10)

• Jesus draws a spiritual correlation between the mustard seed and faith. That through increased faith one will gain the authority bring the most difficult situations under their authority. (See Luke 17:6; Matthew 17:19-21) Note: Do you see the correlation between dealing with unforgiveness and demonic possession? Jesus used the very same analogy in explaining both situations.

There may be someone in your life that you have a real serious problem with when it comes to dealing with their constant offenses. Like Peter we too get to a point of frustration and wonder how often I am supposed to forgive this person. (See Matthew 18:21-35)

Here are some important biblical truths that God wants us to understand when it comes to offenses and forgiveness.

BIBLICAL TRUTHS ON OFFENSES AND FORGIVENESS:

• How does God measure your standard of forgiveness? In the mind of every one of us is a certain tolerance level that we have set. This is true when it comes to dealing and responding to the offences of others. Peter thought within himself that a tolerance level of forgiving someone seven times was a very acceptable standard. (See Luke 17:4) Yet he didn’t understand that God measures our standard of forgiveness to how much we have been forgiven. Peter was an awful sinful man and thus because he had been forgiven much he was to forgive much. (See Luke 5:8; 7:47-48)

• Do you understand your sin debt? If a person was to pay off their sin debt to God through their own efforts, as 10,000 talents represents a debt that would take 200,000 years to repay. This gives us the picture of how enormous our sin debt to God is and how much it would take to pay it all off.

• What were the consequences of not paying your sin debt? The husband, wife, and children would be sold into slavery, and all their possessions would be sold until payment was made. (See Matthew 18:25)

• He is the default that so many people have about their sin debt. There are so many people who are sincerely religious in their worship to God who rest totally on paying back the debt. (See Romans 10:1-3) 

• God is only moved by compassion in forgiving you your sin debt. (See Lamentations 3:22,23; Ephesians 4:32)

• Love covers a multitude of sins. Only when we understand the magnitude of our forgiveness will we have the capacity to forgive. (See Luke 7:47-48; I Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12)

• What happens when we fail to forgive as we have been forgiven? When we fail to show the same level of compassion that God had shown upon us, He will deliver us over to the tormentors. (See Matthew 18:28-35) There is nothing more certain than the reality that if we don’t forgive from our hearts every one of our brother their trespasses we will be turned over to demonic forces.

The word of God states that Satan stands before God, day and night bringing up charges against the brethren. (See Revelation 12:10) Jesus said to Simon that Satan has demanded you for trial so that he may gain legal authority over you so to sift you as wheat. (See Luke 22:31-4) Note: The name Simon is directly derived from the Hebrew verb "to hear," implying an act of listening, understanding, and responding. 

Brothers and sisters in Christ, God is trying to get you to hear and to listen and to understand, that you must forgive. If you don’t you are making the power of the cross of no effect.

There is a currency that is far more precious than that of silver and gold. What currency is that you may ask? It is the currency of blood, the precious blood of Christ. (See I Peter 1:18,19)

It is that precious currency of heaven the blood of the Son of the living God that paid our sin debt. It was the blood of His cross that has reconciled all things unto himself. (See Colossians 1:20-33)

When Jesus' uttered on the cross, "It is finished" or "Paid in full". Tetelestai was used in the ancient world on receipts to indicate a debt was settled.

We have overcome Satan our accuser by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony and we love not our lives unto the death. (See Revelation 12: 11

This is the reason why we are not seeking to work or earn our way to heaven is because the debt has been paid. (See Romans 4:4)