Have you ever thought about your choices on any given day?
In these times to come the Bible tells us more will be boastful, lovers of self; self-seeking and on it goes. One only need to look at commercials and television programs or the politics and see it! The Narcissistic Personality Disorder is truly operating yet the good news is that He came to set the captives free! And one way to get free is to be obedient to God’s Word where it commands us to forgive. There are no conditions just do it if you want to live in the abundance that Christ died for.
As you spend more time in God’s Word your life will change. It will become about more than what you have made it to be thus far. It will be about a purpose that you cannot get to while living in unforgiveness. Why? Because unforgiveness is direct disobedience to Christ. It is separation from God and it blocks your hearing from Him. How can you get to the place of knowing your purpose when you are separated from the One who has it?
Forgiveness is about overcoming self to be more about Jesus. It is about removing the NPD from your life to make it about something bigger, better and life lasting.
For more about forgiveness and love watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork. Check your local listing. Stream live at www.uanetwork.tv
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If you want the turnaround in your life it requires obedience to God’s Word. Period. If you want a solution to the problems in the wonderful USA it will require repentance and forgiveness. Period. You cannot add sin to the pure Word of God and think that you will get God’s best. This cannot happen, is not happening and will not happen-ever. God is worth more than the sin people want to live in. Those that are attempting to do so are simply revealing which side they are on and it’s very clear is it not that of God.
It’s time to humble ourselves before the Almighty and do so before it is too late. Acts 3:19 is very clear ‘Repent, and seek forgiveness, so that times of refreshing may come.’ No times of refreshing come ‘before’ humbling. They can’t. God does not and will not bow down to the sin that you want to live in and why should He? He created you remember?
And so in these times the rewards that come through seeking forgiveness are vast. I am here and that’s how I know what is on the other side of forgiveness. But if you wish to deny the fullness of forgive that by the way; can ‘only’ come through Jesus you will live in less than what He initially planned for you. You see; forgiveness is between you and God and when you go to everyone else but Him you miss the entire point. It is not your neighbor or the pope that has any authority to wash your sins away. None. So it’s time now to get that your life to come is based upon your willingness to align yourself with God’s Word. My prayer for you in the name of Jesus is that you would want Him more than you want to keep the sin that is killing you. And rest assured He is the only one who can save you. No other dead god or government entity can. Best to just overcome your flesh and do so now while you still can. You have nothing to lose and a life to gain!
For more about forgiveness and the power of walking in it watch ‘Living in Forgiveness’ Monday-Friday at 9:30pm CST on the UANetwork. Check your local listing. Stream live at www.uanetwork.tv
God created man for relationship. That is clear starting Genesis yet because of sin everything changed. While Adam and Eve weren’t born into sin we know that we are and that for us to hear from God it requires spending time with Him. As such an increased in hearing from God can come through forgiveness. On the opposite end not dealing with issues of forgiveness only creates separation from Him which leads many in the direction clearly not of God.
What I didn’t know or even realize or have a clue of was that my unforgiveness was keeping me separated from God. While it may sound obvious and now it is; the catch was that I did not even know I had an ounce of unforgiveness at all. I guess I may have fallen into the word of faith movement; name it and claim and it and so I probably claimed forgiveness but never actually did anything but speak it only to find out years later that if you do nothing you are worse off. And so I was.
I was living my life thinking it was everyone else yet in reality I was the one in sin and yes; unforgiveness is sin. I was the one who needed to repent and I was the one that had the decreased hearing from God. And all the while I blamed God. Go figure that in my disobedience I was so prideful to think the issue was God. So if you are saying God doesn’t talk to you or that you don’t hear from Him; it’s not Him. It’s you. Yes. It is you.
The increase in hearing will come when you make the choice to obey God’s Word and just do it; which by the way isn’t first from Nike but in God’s Word.Matthew 6:4 starts the sentence with ‘Just do it’. So yet again God’s Word proves there is nothing new under the sun; not even a slogan. And in an increased hearing from God your life will change.
So how does forgiveness increase healing? Three simple ways:
- Forgiveness is sin dealt with. Unforgiveness is sin and sin separates us from God. It doesn’t matter how big or large; separation is separation. And being off the mark can prove disastrous; just ask any sniper. It is your choice to be obedient and repent of the sin so that you can move forward and live in obedience. Acts 3:19 is clear ‘Repent, and seek forgiveness so that times of refreshing may come.’ Nothing that you want comes without repentance first. When you repent you are dealing with the sin at hand and unforgiveness is a big one most don’t recognize.
- Forgiveness corrects your perception. Your perception when living in unforgiveness is distorted. There is no way for it to not be. And with about 40 symptoms of unforgiveness (https://julieblair.com/product/overcoming-symptoms-of-unforgiveness/) it is no wonder why people aren’t living in the power and authority; or hearing from God as they should be. Every symptom of unforgiveness distorts your perception of you, your involvement in whatever situation it was or is, the other people involved; and even God. In my life my incorrect perception had me believing that my mother didn’t want me and therefore I lived a life based upon the rejection and abandonment. Once I forgave her I learned something. When she my shared the events and the ultimatum she was given by the social worker who was trying to buy me everything changed. I realized that this wasn’t a mother who hated her daughter but rather a mother in a situation of having her child taken and sold on the baby black market! Who would have ever thought? And see; unforgiveness keeps you living in the mindset that only you have based upon what you know. Well; when living that closed off God could speak anything to you but you wouldn’t be in proper position to receive it because of all the internal clutter. That was me. Forgive and see your perception change to be more in alignment with Him and His Word and ways.
- Forgiveness restores your relationship with Jesus. When sin is dealt with life is different. When the internal clutter is unloaded life too is different. It’s like going to the gym without having to actually go or sweat. The relationship with Jesus can be restored simply through forgiveness. It’s the removal of sin that restores us to Christ. On the other hand the choice to not deal with it simply means choosing the separation. Either way a choice must be made. As you are restored to who God created you to be your hearing will increase.
God has a plan for the life of everyone created; His Word tells us so in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And in dealing with the sin of unforgiveness it will be much easier to hear what that plan is and then take the steps necessary to live out that plan. Let it be known that included in that plan is a relationship with you. And if you want the fullness of it it will require getting over yourself to overcome unforgiveness to hear from Him. And when you do it will be a sweet melody of life change for your beautiful future in Jesus name.
The new year has entered and people are of course ready to start off on the right foot; and of course time to get busy. But at what cost? Let’s face it: when you remove yourself from being busy your hearing from God can and will increase. Let us not forget what busy really is: Bound Under Satan’s Yoke. And who wants that? The bondage of busyness kills even the slyest of them all; so don’t be fooled.
When we look at this new year, this new season it’s a wonderful time to get things in order. Many start off with the goals of new promotions, vacations in the sand; and perhaps a degree or two. Oh the plans of mice and men! Of course then there are the typical new years resolutions but how many of them have you already broken? Perhaps one too many beers or a skipped workout? Don’t worry you aren’t the only one. And besides who says that you even have to have a day to start a resolution in the first place? Forgive yourself for the unpromised promises that you made that you already knew you weren’t going to keep. Your fingers were cross behind your back; we all know it. We’ve all been there. So don’t feel bad. Instead; be glad that you don’t have that guilt and remorse hanging over your head and look for those treasured moments when you hear from God. don’t let anything cloud that judgment or hearing as it will only be a lost opportunity and who needs another one of those?
I know that when I stopped making new years resolutions my life did and didn’t change. It changed in that I didn’t have to engage in the conversations about what they were and I didn’t have to feel bad about not following through. I didn’t have to think about what resolutions I would make and break; because I know myself that well. And then it didn’t change because life kept going and that would make sense as it does regardless of what day it is or what tradition people follow. That in and of itself removed a level of busyness that I realized was pure clutter and that too; had to be removed.
You see; when you remove all the clutter; in the spiritual and natural your life will change. Sure everyone has an app for that; expect how cluttered does your phone and life become just to get organized and yet still not hear from God? We live in a time where people have more access to make life simpler and easier; yet it is more complicated. Oh the experience of the oxymoron. It’s time to remove all of what you are allowing to cause yourself to be busy and get to the foundation of life; and that is and can only be in Christ. And you truly don’t need an app with customized alarm for that. Just let it be.
If you step away for a moment and reflect on the experiences that you crave with Christ but never get who’s fault is it? His? How could it be? His Word is clear that He will never leave nor forsake us. It’s His Word that tells us to be still. So it must be us; which would make sense right? In the era of trying to be more, do more, get more, live more, experience more, see more and share more we have become a society of less. Less tolerant, less loving, less forgiving, less related, less healthy, less experienced; and less in hearing from God. It is time now that the trend must turn. It must. Or the experience we get will be one that there won’t be an app for.
The choice is yours. What do you truly want? One more gadget that you need a degree to operate? One more promotion in title only that steals your time from your family yet pays less? One more program to watch that only kills your mind? One more drink that numbs the pain of years past? Or do you truly want one more experience with God Almighty that is one you will never forget; leaving you to be on watch for the next one more experience with the God Almighty that will leave you forever changed in yet one more way that couldn’t ever come through any other means? If you chose the latter you choose life and isn’t that what His Word tells us? Of course. So on this day while everyone is priding themselves on being busy in the name of busyness; why not take the route less traveled? Make your own way by removing the clutter the bondage of busyness breeds and increase your hearing from the One who is ready to give you more than what you could ever dream or imagine. You won’t regret it.
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Forgiveness is not a game. Many toss it around like bocce ball on a Sunday afternoon. It is seen as something to do just to placate others in an attempt to have them believe that you are holy; oh so holy. It’s like those who want you to believe because they go to church that they are better than you. Yet those who know forgiveness will know that the life changes that come through forgiveness either will or will not be evident. When you forgive there is evidence of it; there is fruit. This would make sense as obedience to God’s Word does that-produces fruit.
How you change when you forgive is something that 1) most don’t know, 2) haven’t experienced, 3) is not really talked about. This makes sense because it’s hard to talk about and share an experience that never has been. And so this is why it is important to share how people change when they forgive; and forgive to God’s Word and not mans idea as they are two entirely separate things.
You see; forgiveness first and foremost is about obedience to God’s Word. One may be of another religion and forgive to the words although while good and appearing noble is not the best nor complete. Anything without God let’s just be real- is death and terrible. God’s Word is clear that ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5. So in other words- if you do not have Jesus you are not in the realm of 1) grasping forgiveness to the full, 2) being forgiven, 3) forgiving, 4) bearing fruit. It’s all clear. Whether you like or not or disagree does not change anything. God’s Word is true yesterday, today and forever. And thus; as you forgive in accordance with God’s Word you will change because your obedience to it bears fruit.
When you forgive you are removing your self-focused, narcissistic tendencies and strongholds behind you. You are no longer focusing on the outward appearances and actions of others or even of yourself. No you have graduated from that. You see that the selfie-stick too can be sold in the next garage sale- or given to the neighbor. When you forgive you will see beyond where you were to that the Lord Almighty is who redeems and restores. You; through forgiveness, will recognize that you are not your own savior. This is why this requires explanation. Someone who believes he or she is his or her own god typically is challenged to recognize 1) the need for a savior, 2) that he or she is not the almighty thought to be. Forgiveness opens the eyes to the reality of what once was to what is and to what can be. If only we grasped that much sooner and didn’t spend decades living in unforgiveness. Or perhaps that was just me.
When you forgive you recognize that there never was a need to focus on such things that were meaningless It is not to state that there was no reason or time to not grieve or experience righteous anger; but let it be clear that bitterness is poison that rots the bones. Anger, resentment and separation from God are all ploys o the enemy are are traps. King Solomon states it clear in Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 Vanity of vanities, say the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun?’ (NIV) One needs to reflect for a moment about exactly how much vanity comes with being unforgiving? Isn’t really the focus of the unforgiver on self? And isn’t that focus meaningless when Jesus is the One who paid the price for our forgiveness? The focus of the unforgiver certainly is not on that of Jesus which therein lies the problem! And what comes with the wrongly placed focus? Vanity and toiling of course. It’s a downward spiral to the grave. It is when you recognize that allow your mind to get involved with anything destructive will destroy; your life will change.
Your life changes when you forgive. You are not the same as you were the moment before. Your ideas, thoughts, mannerisms, responses and interactions with people change. Your relationship with Christ changes. You change. Your life as a whole changes. The meaning and purpose of your life changes. Nothing is as it was nor will be as it is and it cannot be what it is at this very moment. This ministry would not be in existence because the very foundation of it required forgiveness. You, when you forgive, are a new creation in Christ simply be making the choice to be obedient. It is not about lip service for self glorification. People see through that. And that; is easy. Forgiveness is not; until you master it.
Bottom line is this: if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired it’s time to do something about it. It’s time to stop playing church and appeasing people. It is time to stop looking in the distorted mirror and seek the Truth. The truth is that there is a full life waiting for you. There is everything you could ever dream of and when you forgive; your life will change. You will move toward who you were created to be to do what you were created to do and for His glory. And that beloved; is how you change when you forgive.
Forgiveness should be the lifestyle of everyone; and especially for those who are followers of Christ. After all; it is Jesus that set the example. What must be understood is the importance of forgiveness in the life of a Believer so that in turn; the relationship with Christ that he or she has will be able to develop into what it should be and for His glory and Kingdom.
When viewed in its purest form forgiveness is only able to be given when the heart and mind are focused in the right arena. It is when the Believer says I will obey all of God’s Word; and not just what I want for today that fits how I feel. See; it is written clearly, ‘We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’ in 2 Corinthians 10:5. (NIV) You will not find where it is do it sometimes or when you feel like it. For forgiveness to be what reigns; it must be through the application of a right and sound mind and decision of obedience to God and His Word with a willing heart.
When unforgiveness is the lifestyle for whatever reason; all people miss out. Individuals, families, communities and even nations miss out. Unforgiveness keeps people focused on themselves and not on the larger picture or even the fact that Jesus died on the Cross for each of our sins. Whether you like Jesus or know Him not; He still died for you. Any and all unforgiveness keeps people living in sickness, disease, turmoil; and torture. To stay living in unforgiveness simply means living in obedience, selfishness, and a myriad of other things with the foundation sin purely being rebellion.
Please understand that forgiveness is 1) a process, 2) not for the weak. It is for those who recognize that people are people and none are any different. It is for those who wish above all to be obedient to God for the expansion of His Kingdom. All make mistakes and all fall short of His glory. The important factor to recognize is that forgiveness is a pathway for restoration and reconciliation to Christ and that should be the most important focus for any Christian. Forgiveness may or may not lead to reconciliation and restoration with people; however, through obedience to God the way will always be made for what God intends.
As a result; not only does forgiveness heal and restore it is a demonstration of healing and obedience but also love toward oneself, for Jesus and for others. See, in Mark 12:30 it reads, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ If you live in unforgiveness you clearly are not demonstrating your love for Him because unforgiveness is the opposite of that. We continue to Mark 12:31 where it tells us, ‘The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.’ It is not possible to love others if you are not loving yourself. Unforgiveness not only limits your relationship with others, but yourself and obviously with Jesus. So long as there is a block within you- the block will be out of you as well. This hindrance is what reduces blessings from God but also any internal healthy relationships that are vitally important to growing God’s Kingdom.
It is vitally important that your life become one of forgiveness. This is not to say that what others may have done or not have done that wasn’t pleasing but rather harmful to you is acceptable. No. What it means is that you are demonstrating your love for Christ through forgiving. You are demonstrating your strength by living out in full what it means to be a Christian.You are being an example for others and that is vital for Christians to recognize. You are recognizing that while others are not perfect; neither are you. You are recognizing that not only has God will never leave you nor forsake you; He will give you the strength to do all things through Him who gives you strength. And that means you have it within you to forgive. You simply have to recognize the strength you have and the importance of what you give and receive when you forgive.
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There is much talk lately about identity theft and for good reason.What’s sad is that as much as it’s talked about; unless it happens to you there doesn’t appear to be much concern. What’s worse is that when it comes to identity in Christ; it appears even less are concerned. It’s a shame because without forgiveness in Christ there is no pure identity. And without that; people perish. Isn’t it time you got your true identity back?
When we go to the beginning we can see that it was all laid out accordingly; but because of free will people have the choice to grow closer to God; or depart from Him. Before Adam made the choice to be misled by his wife Eve; he had a clear identity and plan. It’s clear in Genesis 2:15-18. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” 18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (NIV)
God gave Adam his identity and purpose; He created Him with one and the same is for you too. Obviously God and Adam had a relationship as well which is truly no different than people today; except many choose to forsake God through rebellion. They take what little identity they think they have created to go live a life they think is unto God yet know Him not. God knew Adam and Adam knew God. The plan was for Adam to take care of the garden and expand God’s Kingdom with his lovely wife Eve. What is your purpose? What are you doing to protect your identity in Christ?
While we know that Adam’s sin was putting his wife before obedience to God, that Adam was told to protect all that was in the garden; and that Eve was deceived. What we must recognize is that through the choice to sin; identity was lost. Period. When you make the choice to turn away from God to live your life your way; you lose out and in more ways than you can possibly imagine. Nothing was the same for Adam or Eve. It couldn’t be. Nothing will be the same for you either unless you choose the path of forgiveness in Christ to get your real identity.
Your identity in Christ is really all you have. Period. Outside of that you have and are nothing. Period. Sure you may have a nice title at work; but so what? Who cares? At the end of the day does it define you? And if it does what happens when you lose the job and title? Then do you allow the title of ‘unemployed’ define you? If your identity is found in the beautiful car you flaunt yourself in for everyone to see; why are you thinking so lowly of yourself that that is all you are worth is a car that depreciates every mile you drive? If your identity is created by sleeping with men with hoping they will love you knowing otherwise I want you to know that beyond it all there is something so much bigger in your identity!
You are worth so much more than you have settled for. I know this to be true because I have lived through the pain of not knowing. It wasn’t until I truly understood forgiveness, how to forgive, and what it even is that I started to have an identity. You see; unforgiveness separates you from God. It brings distance between you and Jesus. But once you make the choice to overcome you will have life and to the full. Acts 3:19 is clear: “Repent and seek forgiveness, so that times of refreshing may come.” (NIV) Your identity is part of the refreshing package!
As you forgive and truly seek the Lord for your identity in Him; your life will change. It has to! You will never be the same- in Jesus Name. The things of the past will no longer have the impact they once did. The people who used you, abused you; and reused you will have no power to harm you. They can’t. Those who stole from you will never be able to do because you know who you are in Christ.
The things that you gave away to get what you never could will be a thing of the past. You and your identity will be treasured in ways that could only come from Him. God’s Word is clear that He will never leave you or forsake you; and isn’t it time that you stop forsaking Him? It’s beyond time! It is time now for forgiveness to reign, for your identity to be restored and the real you to stand up for the assignment that He has waiting for you. That is what it is time for!
It’s amazing how many in the body of Christ are living in lack yet try appear to look oh so happy sitting in Church two or three times each week. What is wrong with this picture? There is lack in health, lack in mindset, lack in self-control, lack in finances, lack in relationships, lack in peace; lack lack lack. The great news is that you can overcome lack through forgiveness. You can. How do I know? God’s Word proclaims it in Philippians 4:13 ‘For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.’ (NLV)
Now don’t get me wrong; I get it. I lived a full life of lack and the attack for longer than I wish to admit. I was the person who sat in the nice Southern Baptist Church and then the non-denominational church for 18 years and guess what? The entire time I lived in lack! Now was it the fault of the church? Nope. It was my fault 1) I didn’t spend time in God’s Word outside of church, 2) I didn’t know how to apply His Word to my life, 3) I didn’t know the lack was not normal, 4) the depth my lack had on me, the people around me; and my future generations.
When everyone around you lives in lack you appear to be happy lackers and don’t even know it it’s hard to see anything different. And look around Body of Christ. Where is the wealth? People are leaving the church and there must be a reason why. It’s when you get it that you get it. It’s time to get free and build His Kingdom! Everyone sitting there was all the same; and now I see it. But it took me a while. My prayer is that you see it ‘today’! I pray in the name of Jesus that the Spirit of Deep Sleep is removed NOW and that you are forever free- and that you can forgive!
What captured me then and even now is the cause of so many Christians living like the walking dead. I see it; and in fact I just prayed for 15 people who are professed Christians and churchgoers who are homeless, fearful about their futures, underemployed, hopeless-broke, busted, disgusted, distrusted and crusted. This is what they have believed their lives have become- all in the name of Jesus. What is so wrong that we have diminished God’s Word to mean to little- and then accept it. Remove the lies and the lack goes to. That mindset and pain has left them all in pretty much the same place- living in lack and unforgiveness.
See; until you get that forgiveness is the key to everything you can just sit with your pitiful self. You won’t go anywhere- how can you? Let’s not forget it was Jesus that died for your sins- all the while asking the Father to forgive- and so how do you honestly think think that anything in your life would ever change should you not forgive? It simply will not happen. Trust me. So you can choose- life or death. Lack or forgiveness. Period. Just make a choice. And let me remind you- not choosing is still choosing.
I didn’t know the impact of lack on my life. I lived with such angst that I destroyed myself. But hey- I went to church! I will tell you that church won’t save you, your government won’t save you, and your psychologist can’t save you either. But Jesus can. Through forgiveness your life can be renewed. Acts 3:19 is clear: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” (NIV) You can be restored to what you have lost or plainly just given away. You can stop the madness and the trying and the idea of ‘If only I do this’ yeah sure. I did that and dated him- it didn’t work. It only created more lack. But forgiveness will change that.
So let be straight in case you missed it. If you want abundance and not lack you need to forgive. If you want to overcome you need to forgive. If you claim to be a Christian and are not living in forgiveness it’s time to pick up your cross and start walking. There is no once saved always saved. It is today! If you want to be blessed and grow in Christ- you need to forgive. You cannot have anything good in your life living in disobedience to His Word when it is a command to forgive! Matthew 6:14 is clear: ‘For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.’ (NIV)
You can live a full life. I know this because I am still standing. I have had more parents than Elizabeth Taylor has has husbands and I know what lack is all about. I know the pain of abandonment, the fear of the future; and the God that loves. I wouldn’t be able to write this if I didn’t already pick up my cross; I had to. And so do you if you want to overcome lack through forgiveness. I know too that without a doubt forgiveness is the only way through. Stop the lack. Forgive. And then live in Jesus Name.
Unforgiveness kills. Plain and simple. Many may call it cancer; however, it is a heart condition that spreads like cancer; reaching every single part of a person’s being. Unforgiveness literally kills you. Now that you know this; what is the cure? Well; the most basic and foundation element if you are a follower of Christ is quite simple. What is it? What could possibly heal one of what is causing death and destruction? God’s Word. And following God’s Word; else what would be the point? Too many people today have missed the latter although it goes like this:
Repent. Sure you may say of what but let me first provide supporting scripture. Acts 3:19 makes it very clear: “Repent and then seek forgiveness so that times of refreshing may come. ” (NKJ) Now the NIV puts it this way: “19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” so either way you put it- there is something for ‘you’ to do. Repent of harboring the unforgiveness because otherwise God’s Word would not say to start there. If you have nothing wrong then the verse would need not be there. Refusing to repent causes what is there to continue to be there and spread in ways you can’t possibly imagine. The times of refreshing come ‘after’ repentance so it reads. It’s quite simple. Follow the steps if you want the desired outcome. It’s a two part step with an outcome.
What occurs spiritually in a person manifests itself physically and that is your choice. What are you allowing to rule you? God’s Word is also true in Romans 12:2 “2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” There is a command of what not to do and secondly; there is another command of what to do- oh and again with the outcome of it.
See; God’s Word is the same yesterday and forever. Society is not. And so when you read God’s Word it is very clear that Believers are not to conform to the pattern of the world but be ‘transformed’ by the renewing of the mind. Now- God’s Word would not give a command to do something unless it was possible for it to be done. There is a means of renewing the mind. Apostle Paul would not have talked about such things if he did not know. Scientists and doctors like Caroline Leaf would not share that when you align your mind with scripture your life changes. Your brain is required and the electrons in it are reprogrammed as what is not of God is replaced with what is of God. In essence we need more of God’s Word and truth for healing and less drugs; but I digress.
And so it goes unforgiveness isn’t only a heart condition but also a sin. It is sin against God which is why repentance is required. It does not matter what anyone has done to you; but what you do about it. Period. And again; God’s Word reads ‘repent’. This is the first place to start because harboring unforgiveness is as I said a sin but also a silent killer.
Unforgiveness has almost 40 symptoms. Yes- 40! Yet most people never get past anger or resentment to recognize how deep unforgiveness goes into the entire body and being of who they are. Let’s include just for fun bitterness, separation from God, blocked blessings; just to name a few. And this is how your life is wrecked. See; you have an assignment. When you live in unforgiveness it keeps you from living it out. And too many people are not living out their assignments from God because they are too busy dying of unforgiveness. Don’t let that be you!
Once you understand howunforgiveness takes over the body and every single aspect of it- you will want to get rid of all of and quick! Let it be known that most of what people have internally is only able to be revealed through the power of God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Hence; why we all need a savior and relationship with Christ. How do I know? Because when I had to go through God’s full process of forgiveness my eye color changed and my voice changed. God gave me the revelation from His Word about how deep this truly is and my prayer for you is that you would not wait another day thinking you are free of unforgiveness when probably deep down there has been something lingering. This is not psychotherapy or anything else as anything not of God is simply not of God and never can be of God.
Should you be sick and tired of being sick and tired and want healing in the full it’s time to get real- and quick. It’s time to stop allowing yourself to be a victim focusing on what others have done that they probably don’t even have a clue that they’ve done. It’s time to grasp that reality that God’s Word is real and true and that time is of the essence.
Get with the One who heals, who redeems; the One who created you long before the foundation of the earth. The One who knows your pain and can take away your pain. You are too precious to live life dying when you don’t have to. Start with Acts 3:19 and let the times of refreshing come. They will. It takes one step at a time yet each step brings more power into the lives of those who forgive. I am living proof. And don’t you want to be too?
Forgiveness is a weapon of spiritual warfare; no doubt about this. The question is: how does on live victoriously in forgiveness? Simple. By defeating the enemy through and even with forgiveness.
We all know the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy but what most don’t recognize is ‘how’. The enemy is so sly and most are dying yet seeing it not. The enemy wants your life. What is included in your life? Your health, your soul, your finances, your transportation; your mind- and everything else that comes with you as a being.
In order to defeat the enemy you must change your thinking. Period. There is no way to beat any enemy without a change in the mind. Ask anyone in special ops and they will attest to that. Everything begins in the mind. Heck; even Hitler knew that! Change the mind- change the people. Then change every single thing else that one could dream right? Steve Jobs grasped that concept too. And now most of the population have an ‘I-life’ with the exception of those who live the ‘A-life’ but you get the point.
When you see a mind changed you can see what you can do to overcome the enemy. You can forgive. How do I know for certain? God’s Word says so! In Philippians 4:13 it reads, ‘ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’ (NIV) This means you ‘can’ forgive. You can do anything with His strength! When you live in forgiveness you are defeating your enemy! You are stopping him dead right in tracks.
You see; unforgiveness kills. It is from the enemy. It steals your life and everything else. It steals your joy, your family and other relationships, your time, your level of productivity, your health, finances and more. Unforgiveness is not of God! It can’t be! It was His Son who died on the cross and while doing so asked ‘Forgive them Father for they know not what they do’ so it’s pretty clear that Jesus didn’t die for you to live in unforgiveness and defeatedness of the enemy. And if you are know there is a better way and that you don’t have to be defeated nor live like it.
Forgiveness is a strategic way to defeat the enemy because it keeps you on the offense. It keeps you aware that while the enemy may try to infiltrate your family through pettiness; your level of forgiveness sees through the charade. When unforgiveness tries to destroy work relationships and you forgive; you win. When unforgiveness tries to keep you hating yourself and you forgive; not only are you free but you are whooping the enemy at the same time!
If you truly want to defeat the enemy it’s time to stand up and take what is rightfully yours. It’s sad to see in a society where more people are willing to stand and die for their religion while others sit silent in sickness and lack for theirs; especially when they don’t have to. The war is raging and when you recognize that forgiveness is one of the best weapons of spiritual warfare the enemy will not be able to stand. How do I know? Because the enemy wanted me dead. It’s ok he wants you dead too; and it doesn’t even mean not alive as it can be walking dead. The deader you are alive the more of an impact you have for him. Everything dead about you spreads like a disease and that is what he wants. He is not for life!
For me; I hated my biological mother which meant I was living in unforgiveness and not honoring my mother or father. Two wammies against me. That alone caused much havoc on my life to the destruction of many other relationships and self-hatred. It’s a twisted cycle of terribleness which is not of God. Once I grasped that and started making changes by forgiving; my life changed. Yours will too. You will be able in the strength of the Almighty to defeat any enemy. You have it within you! You are an overcomer- you just to see it. When you forgive not only will your life change; but those around you will change. And what better way to defeat an enemy than through life? What better way to defeat the enemy than staying married? What better to defeat the enemy than to forgive yourself? What better way to defeat the enemy than to simply live in forgiveness?