Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; Luke 6:37; Matthew 18:21-35; Matthew 6: 14-15; Mark 11:25

Please comment below with your conversation with God and/or insights from today’s Scriptures.

You can answer the following:

1. What are the Scriptures telling you about un-forgiveness?

2. Have you experienced un-forgiveness? How did it make you feel in the long run? How did you finally forgive, if you did? How did that feel?

3. Why do you think people struggle with forgiveness?

4. What are your prayer points to God about un-forgiveness?

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Wallow’s World | Lemuel Ayudtud

So what does an unforgiving heart look like. From the study we get:

1. Lack of kindness and compassion is the result—the cause is not celebrating the forgiveness that Christ extended to us.

2. Lack of patience with other people along with bitterness festering on the inside. We hold on to grievances and forget the grievances that God no longer holds against us.

3. We are in constant judgement and condemnation, meaning we’re swift to condemn someone because we have given ourselves the right to quickly judge someone… negatively.

4. We are quickly ticked off and we hold on to grudges and don’t allow someone to change our minds even if they’ve asked for forgiveness and/or understanding.

“Unforgiveness” is actually not a word. There is “forgiveness,” “unforgiving,” and “unforgiven” but no unforgiveness. Don’t ask me why not, but it’s probably because it should be “unforgiving”. We did chose the word “unforgiveness” as a way to show the opposite aspect of forgiveness—an extending of grace and kindness that frees the forgiver from those things others have done to them that was negative or hurtful.

When we study our Scripture reading, we find that God calls us to forgiveness and that an unforgiving heart (which is what unforgiveness mostly mean) leads us to fester in dark places both in heart and mind.

Jesus told his disciples through a parable that if they were dealing with unforgiveness, they should reconcile or forgive that someone who they have a quarrel against, being mindful of the work of reconciliation that Jesus did at the cross. When asked how many times should they forgive, Jesus uses “70x7” as the measure; it’s actually a euphemistic term meaning “as long as it’s needed”. The disciples wanted a clause that will allow them to remain unforgiving; they wanted the right to wallow in their bitterness and anger; and Jesus wasn’t having none of it. No wallow’s world for them—or us!

Lord, please help us with our tendency of unforgiveness. Help us with our desire at times to be heavy hearted and even angry, refusing to forgive those who have done unpleasant and hurtful things against us. Help us to follow Your lead into freedom by the power and gift of forgiveness. In Your Name Jesus, we pray, amen.