Don’t Let Your Unforgiving Heart Keep You from Showing Kindness
To forgive or not. Have you ever thought about why we should forgive others? Forgiving another person can sometimes be hard or even next to impossible. When you forgive someone it doesn’t mean that you have to reconcile with the person who has harmed you. To forgive means letting go of resentment and giving up any claim to be compensated for the hurt or loss that you’ve suffered. It is releasing the other person from any blame leaving the situation in God’s hands and moving on.
Did you know that if you don’t forgive others then your own forgiveness is in jeopardy? Matthew 6:14-15 tells us what will happen if we choose not to forgive others.
Matthew 6:14-15 14For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Unforgiveness harbors so much negativity that it causes harm to our bodies. The physical body is engulfed with extreme anger, resentment, and bitterness. You become physically ill with stress related symptoms and problems. You begin to feel depressed and anxious all the time.
Unforgiveness also shows that you don’t truly love Jesus. What do you mean? I do love Jesus. Really? Not if you cannot and are not willing to forgive others. Being bitter and unforgiving is not loving others like Christ loves us. It prevents God from forgiving your sins.
Forgiveness is for our own benefit. We experience it in the direct proportion to our willingness to forgive. If we don’t have a forgiving spirit, we should not be wearing the name of Jesus. You see, those who are true Christians follow the teachings and example of Jesus. They are compassionate, kind, and forgiving.
Instead of letting your unforgiving heart enslave you, clothe yourself in kindness.
Colossians 3:12 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Use God’s Word to help you identify Christian attributes that will help you build kindness and develop a forgiving heart like Christ.
In a few sentences explain why you should not hold onto an unforgiving heart.
What does it mean to clothe yourself in kindness?
What are some Christian attributes that can help you build kindness? Need a HINT, check out one or more of the following scriptures.
2 Corinthians 6:3 – 6
Ephesians 4:30 – 32
2 Peter 1:5 – 10
Explain how one simple little act of kindness can change the world around you.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16