To Forgive, Or Not To Forgive - That Is The Question

SF, Stagecoach. NV

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

     Believe me, the hardest thing to want to do is forgive someone who has hurt you - no matter what they've done.
     But let me caution you with several reasons why it's smart to choose to the Lord's way.
     1)  The Word says Matthew 6:14-15  "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
"But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."  It's your choice, but let's look at the reasons why you should.
     2)  Our brain is like a computer and when you turn it off, it stores all your settings and information that day, and your brain works the same way.
     The Word says Ephesians 4:26-27  " BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.   So the reason is, if you end your day with anger, you'll give the devil a chance to harm you; spirit, soul or body.
     How in the world do you get angry and not sin?  It's true, if we Ask, Seek & Knock, we'll find the answer in His Word (Matthew 7:7).  When I did, I found Deuteronomy 23:22-23  “However, if you refrain from vowing (speaking), it would not be sin in you.  You shall be careful to perform what goes from your lips (always), just as you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God, what you have promised.”  Yes, out of the mouth, the heart speaks and look what happened to Moses.  In his anger, he hit the rock twice and missed his chance to dwell in the promise land.  Never let your anger speak for you.
     3)  As we discussed in the Emotion series, anger opens the door to the twerp (satan) - which is NOT good!  Plus your anger will eat away at you.  Like high blood pressure, ulcers, stress, etc, all of which we don't need.
     4)  Why?  When we forgive someone, our hurt is removed, we give it to the God and He heals it.  We don't forgive because they were wrong, but because the Lord said in; Romans 12:19  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.  Truly, it's better to let our Lord handle it.
     5)  We're told in Luke 6:28  "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."  Not to speak ill of them, or tell others what they've done to you.  Just calmly go to the Lord and forgive them asking Him to take away the pain and bless them.  Occasionally the Holy Spirit may remind you of that person, so ask the Lord to bless them again with whatever their need is.
     6)  The wonderful news is - you may have the memory of what they've done, but the pain is gone.
     7)  Many believe that you should be best buds with them, but that's not what the Word says in Matthew 10:16-17.  "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves."  For me, I stay clear of them unless God the Holy Spirit tells me otherwise, if that happens, just do it.  The Lord always has a reason for what He tells us to do.
     I will close with what you should dwell on - promising a much better day then dwelling on what the twerp wants you to!

Philippians 4:8-9 KJV

8  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9  The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

Blessings to you and yours,

The Lord's Servant - Sandy