I usually post in the Advice section of Christian forums. Some people have pointed out that I need to forgive, after reading my posts. One brother in particular (I can't remember who), has often pointed me to one web page in particular that talks about the importance of forgiveness. Since I was so lost in the depths of my bitterness, it didn't really hit home for me. I didn't understand the message that he or the webpage were trying to convey. I thought I had forgiven. I prayed and said to God that I forgave. Yet, I was struggling with bitterness, anger, and resentment for a long time. I knew that those were not fruits of the Holy Spirit and I prayed about them, but I was still missing it.
In the meantime, I was dealing with a lot of spiritual bondage and affliction from the enemy. I sought prayer and help from many places, but even though there was some spiritual relief, the problem didn't completely go away. Only recently, did I hear one brother doing some very Christ centered teaching that talks about how the enemy will have power from God to afflict and torment us if we fail to forgive others of their sins. He preached according to Matthew 18 and according to Matthew 5:44. He talked about the steps that Jesus told us to take when forgiving. That not only are we to forgive the person, but that we are to bless them as well.
I heard this preaching and I meditated on it. I thought to myself, why is it important for me to forgive, does it really matter to God what the state of my heart is? I understood in my head but I needed to understand it in my heart. I thought about Jesus forgiving us on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" I thought about how much He was suffering and in pain. I thought about how the state of our heart is important to God. I thought to myself, if this is so important to God, then let me put this principle into action. I began to pray, forgiving and blessing. To my surprise, I began to experience relief from my spiritual bondage and affliction. Not only that, but underneath the bitterness, I realized that I was hurting emotionally. Now I am taking steps to ameliorate the situations that caused me bitterness. Steps to put my forgiveness into action. I am grateful for what God has shown me and for how He has been working in my life. I wanted to share my own experience with applying the principles of Christ in my walk of faith.
In the meantime, I was dealing with a lot of spiritual bondage and affliction from the enemy. I sought prayer and help from many places, but even though there was some spiritual relief, the problem didn't completely go away. Only recently, did I hear one brother doing some very Christ centered teaching that talks about how the enemy will have power from God to afflict and torment us if we fail to forgive others of their sins. He preached according to Matthew 18 and according to Matthew 5:44. He talked about the steps that Jesus told us to take when forgiving. That not only are we to forgive the person, but that we are to bless them as well.
I heard this preaching and I meditated on it. I thought to myself, why is it important for me to forgive, does it really matter to God what the state of my heart is? I understood in my head but I needed to understand it in my heart. I thought about Jesus forgiving us on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" I thought about how much He was suffering and in pain. I thought about how the state of our heart is important to God. I thought to myself, if this is so important to God, then let me put this principle into action. I began to pray, forgiving and blessing. To my surprise, I began to experience relief from my spiritual bondage and affliction. Not only that, but underneath the bitterness, I realized that I was hurting emotionally. Now I am taking steps to ameliorate the situations that caused me bitterness. Steps to put my forgiveness into action. I am grateful for what God has shown me and for how He has been working in my life. I wanted to share my own experience with applying the principles of Christ in my walk of faith.
