The Effects of Unforgiveness

When we become offended with another person we open the door to unforgiveness. But does unforgiveness come in alone? Absolutely not! Closely behind unforgiveness is strife, and when strife walks through the door ... all hell breaks loose in our lives. Strife creates an atmosphere. That atmosphere surrounds us; and everywhere we go we take that atmosphere with us. Relationships are severed, anger rises up inside and we begin looking at people through the filter of offense. We become touchy, we begin taking things very personally, we have difficulty giving people the benefit of the doubt. We can even begin slandering and gossiping about the person we're carrying the offense against. We make our lot in life to get as many people mad at them! Pretty soon, others begin carrying our offenses and before we know it, we've unleashed a powerful evil force! The tongue.

Why is it that we don't understand the seriously deeply rooted negative affects of offenses? This poison is deposited in to our spirit, creating bitterness, if it's not immediately dealt with. Bitterness can cause us to do many evil things to another person. We become fixated upon our wound and hurt that's been created by that person and it becomes a top priority of our flesh to reach out and hurt them even more! We seek revenge, we desire to see them pay for what they've done. As Christians, is that really how we're supposed to respond? Not at all! But so many times, then not, we allow our flesh to rise up over our spirit and take the lead. Our mouth always teams up with the contents of our heart. They work together hand in hand. Whatever is in the heart rises up to the tongue and is released.

The Bible says, we will all stand before the Lord and take account for what we've said and done throughout this life we have lived here on earth. The question we should all be asking ourselves is this: "when I stand before the Lord will I hear, 'well done good and faithful servant' or will I hear, 'depart from Me, I never knew you?' I know this sounds very harsh, but if we cannot walk out the commandment of God that tells us to "love one another" and then goes on to say, "by this you will be known as My disciples." If God has commanded us to love each other, then how can we do this if we're carrying offenses and unforgiveness towards another brother or sister in Christ? This past Thursday at my church, I led a discussion panel regarding "offenses". The feedback I have received has been amazing! So many people are struggling with offenses! I also do counseling with people and I see the brokenness that takes place in people's hearts from carrying unforgiveness and bitterness. There are no positive affects of unforgiveness and bitterness, it's all negative!

Let it go! Don't allow to rule over you any longer. You have the power to forgive, you have the power to overcome this through Jesus Christ. Refuse to carry this any longer. It is only hindering your walk with God and blocking you from your divine destiny. Don't permit your tongue to lead you in to an atmosphere of strife!

Words That Bless
(taken from my book: "Poured Out, Spilled and Broken"

Oh the depth of power held by the tongue,
For on it so many emotions are hung.
Relationships severed, reputations destroyed,
All sent out from a heart that's void,
Of love, compassion and an eagerness to bless.
But the heart only holds, what the mind has impressed.
If it's filled with anger, lies and resentment,
Then how can the heart find any contentment?
The world fills our minds with poison and sickness,
Enveloping it in an evil cloud of thickness.
Break free with the Word, use the Sword to pierce,
For the power of the blade is remarkably fierce.
When it's wielded by a hand guided by God,
It's brightness resembles a lightning rod!
Don't allow your words to leave your tongue,
Till you know upon which emotion they will be hung?
Why don't we turn from our self-centered ways?
And open our minds to bless and to praise.
For when we empty our minds of the clutter and mess,
We will begin speaking words of life that bless!

Until next time, be blessed, be favored, be content and most importantly embrace God's best in your life!
Tracy :)