"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
Forgiveness Tips
God will allow demons to torture us unless we forgive others, from our hearts (Matthew 18:21-35). The usual result of unforgiveness is anxiety and/or depression. Here's some quick tips so you won't be defeated.
First: "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." {Ephesians 4:26-27 NASB}
Try to forgive the person before you go to sleep. It's much easier to forgive this way.
Second: Trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to enable you to forgive:
- Affirmation: "I choose to forgive him (her)."
- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." {Philippians 4:13 NKJV}
Sometimes you can't forgive in your own strength.
Third: use personal affirmations, based on Scripture:
- I have the mind of Christ. {1Corinthians 2:16}
- I am strong in the Lord. {Ephesians 6:10}
This also makes it easier to forgive.
Fourth: Don't take things personally. And adopt a positive, and forgiving, attitude toward yourself. Otherwise, it will be very difficult, or impossible, for you to successfully forgive.
"Also do not take to heart everything people say,
Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
For many times, also, your own heart has known
That even you have cursed others." {Ecclesiastes 7.21-22 NKJV}
"Love your neighbor as yourself." {Mark 12:31 NIV}
Your own perspective, and your attitude toward yourself, is what's most important. And these are a choice.
Read the article entitled Don't Take Things Personally. Another link is provided at the end of the article.
Fifth: Give people the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes what others say can be interpreted several ways. Assuming the best makes it much easier to forgive.
Sixth: Related sins to avoid:
- Don't negatively judge the worth of other people. {Luke 6:37}
- Do not talk negatively about others. {James 4:11-12, 5:9}
- Don't try to get even. {Romans 12:17-19}
- Don't take pleasure in another person’s calamity, real or imagined—no matter how well-deserved. {Proverbs 17:5}
These are all sins. They are inconsistent with forgiveness.
Seventh: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." {1 John 1:9 NIV}
Whenever you find yourself entertaining revenge or negative judgemental thoughts about another person, it is important that you confess your sin to God right away.
To confess means to agree with God that what you have done is wrong. Unforgiveness is wrong because God says it is.
This is simple to do: "Lord, I ask forgiveness of my sin."
Confessions need to be sincere.
By confessing your sin to God, right away, you can usually avoid the emotional distress that would otherwise come your way as a result of your sin.
It is foolish to unnecessarily prolong your suffering by neglecting to confess and forsake sin.
Eighth: "Do all things without complaining." {Hebrews 2:14 NKJV}
It's OK to tell God how frustrated you are. David did so, repeatedly, in the Psalms. Do not, however, complain to God. Complaining is a separate sin which can impede your ability to forgive someone.
Confess and forsake the sin of complaining—just like any other sin.
Ninth: Don't dwell on past wrongs:
- "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." {Isaiah 43:18 NIV}
- ". . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right . . . think about these things." {Philippians 4:8 NASB}
Dwelling on past wrongs will be emotionally damaging, sooner or later—even if the thoughts are accompanied by forgiveness.
Tenth: Trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive yourself as well as other people.
Affirmation: I forgive myself.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." {Philippians 4:13 NKJV}
Finally: More information is available on this website. The following articles are especially recommended:
By using this website you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.