What Happens When I Don't Forgive? Lesson 3 Series

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13, NKJV).

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18, NKJV).

A. UNFORGIVENESS IS COSTLY

“Forgive … that your Father in heaven may also forgive you” (Mark 11:25).

1. Bitterness is the poison you drink that kills you, before the one you hate dies.

2. If forgiveness is costly, unforgiveness is more deadly.

3. Cannot forgive and will not forgive are two different things.

4. If you choose to disobey by hating, does God choose to ignore your prayers? (Psalm 66:18).

5. Unforgiveness pushes God’s presence out of your awareness. “In Thy presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

B. UNFORGIVENESS POISONS EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES

“Follow peace with all men … lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you (Hebrews 12:14-15, KJV).

1. Psychological stress level reduces 50% by “letting go.” The Bible calls this forgiving and forgetting.

2. Your positive spirit leads to emotional health, negative spirit leads to instability. “The human spirit can endure a sick body, but not a negative spirit” (Proverbs 18:14, ELT).

3. An unforgiving attitude will short circuit your thinking process. Bitterness reviews a “wound” over and over.

4. An unforgiving spirit is an emotional cancer that eats at you. “A merry heart is like good medicine to make you healthy; a bitter spirit is like cancer that kills” (Proverbs 17:22, ELT).

5. A bear eating garbage chased all other animals away, but lets a skunk keep eating … he knows the high cost of confrontation! You must confront your bitterness.

6. Bitterness like acid, it does more damage to its container (you) than the thing/person it is poured into. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

C. TEN PRACTICAL STEPS ABOUT FORGIVENESS

1. Forgiveness is not a suggestion; it is God’s nature and His command to you.

2. Forgiveness brings inner healing, but bitterness spews its poison.

3. Forgiveness is a bridge to heal a relationship, but lack of forgiveness, destroys a relationship bridge.

4. Life is too short to live with destructive consequences of unforgiveness.

5. Do not honor the devil with your unforgiving attitude. “Be ye angry and sin not, let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26ff).

6. Bitterness and anger at someone will take you farther than you want to go … keep you longer than you expected … and cost you more than you want to pay.

7. Bitterness is like a root (Hebrews 12:15) beneath the surface, it grows harmful fruit, and will make you sick. Some will even die from it.

8. Unhealed hurts caused by bitterness will cause bigger problems, and future problems.

9. Overcoming bitterness and forgiving others who harm you will lead to both a joyous and longer life.

10. Your bitterness and unforgiveness not only will hurt you, but it will also negatively influence your family and friends.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.

Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.

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