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 – Mark 11:25.

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things for us to do as Christians. If someone offends us, we say we forgive, but inwardly we’re rehearsing the offense over and over like a tape recorder rewinding. We gather together to worship God and to hear instructions, but somehow when the subject of forgiveness is ministered our ears become closed, and it bypasses our perception.Unforgiveness keeps us in an invisible prison, where the person is confined, it keeps them restricted from happiness, receiving love from others, it produces fear, anger, and bitterness. Offenses will come whether we’re a believer or a non-believer; there is no one that hasn’t been offended, and neither is there anyone that hasn’t offended someone. As Christians, our intentions shouldn’t be to offend anyone by our behavior or speech, but sometimes we do, and we should try to correct what we have done. Those that have been born- of the Spirit will get a nudge in their spirit when they have offended someone, but so many times the person denies what they are feeling and will reject the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Unforgiveness is like having a cobra wrapped around your heart and squeezing the life out of you.

Unforgiveness has caused many to be physical, mentally and emotionally sick. Every now and then we need to do a self-examination to see if we have unforgiveness towards anyone. In order to be free, we must be truthful to ourselves and when we find ourselves having any feelings of resentment towards anyone then there is also unforgiveness. We can’t forgive through our natural strength, but if we confess to God what we feel towards someone and ask for His help to forgive them and release them, God will answer the prayer. God will always answer a prayer when we pray according to His Word, He has instructed us to forgive those who trespass against us, so when we ask God to help us to forgive, He will give you the desire of your heart because you are willing to submit to His Word.

Whether the offense was intentional or non-intentional, release the person and the offense. Unforgiveness is baggage and its sin, it will weigh us down in our spirit, it will keep our prayers from being heard and answered. It will hinder our relationship with the Father because we’re living in disobedience to the Word of God. If we choose to forgive it will release us and the person we’re holding hostage. Unforgiveness steals our joy, peace, and happiness. It builds a wall where we keep ourselves on guard with everyone to keep from being offended; we will be more on guard than enjoying the fellowship and relationship we should being having. Unforgiveness is a trademark of Satan; it steals, kills and destroys. Forgiveness produces life; unforgiveness produce death.