And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught [anything] against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses . But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive you your trespasses – Mark 11:25-26.
When people hold on to unforgiveness, they don’t understand that this will hinder their relationship with God, as well as prevent their sins from being forgiven.
Jesus instructed His disciples then and now that if they wanted their sins forgiven, they would have to forgive those who had trespassed against them, meaning having hurt them in whatever form. We will not receive the forgiveness of our sins when we reject the instructions Jesus has given us to forgive; it’s not an option, it’s a command.
Unforgiveness not only keeps us from receiving forgiveness of our sins, but it also prevents our prayers from being answered and our relationship with the Father. Unforgiveness is rebellion and disobedience to the Word of God. Some may say I can’t forgive, or I will not forgive, or it’s hard to forgive. Yes, if we try to do it on our own, it will not be accomplished. When we say it with our mouth, but it will not be from our heart. If it’s not from the heart, it’s considered a lie.
Rebellion, disobedience, and lying are not characteristic of our heavenly Father, and He will not accept them from His children. Unforgiveness causes emotional and mental disorders as well as sickness and diseases to attack our bodies and minds because of disobedience.
When someone has wronged you, first, you should ask the Father to put it in your heart to forgive because God will not go against your will. Secondly, ask Him to help you to forgive and to release the person or persons. Thirdly, speak the person’s name out loud that you forgive them and release them. Speaking it out loud, place your words in the atmosphere so that God hears them as well as Satan. God watches over His Word to perform it. So by you saying I forgive, you’re speaking God’s Words and He will help you to forgive and release.
When you forgive does not mean you will not think about it, but when you think about it, you will not feel the hurt or the anger. That’s when you know you have forgiven and released the person. Vengeance belongs to God; allow Him to deal with the person and not you. Don’t miss your blessings of answered prayers and forgiveness because you choose not to forgive.