The Madness of Unforgiveness: The Result of Unforgiveness

by David Chadwick

Forgiveness. Releasing offenders and offenses to Jesus so you can be made whole.

This is something that can only happen when Jesus is your source of life.

Unfortunately, many people choose to remain embittered and trapped by unforgiveness.

What is the result of unforgiveness? Bitterness.

As you remain in unforgiveness, bitterness takes root (Hebrews 12:15). Bitterness corrodes your soul and defiles those around you. It's a deep, dark prison from which no one can escape without learning to walk out forgiveness.

As you heard me mention the other day, refusing to forgive and holding on to bitterness is like drinking arsenic and expecting the other person to die! This is especially grievous when thinking about those who have hurt you and have died. Oftentimes, when people haven't experienced forgiveness, their offenders continue to hurt them from their graves!

Think about how incredulous this concept is! It's like the time I picked up a dead wasp and it still stung me! What a terrible thing for something that has no life in it to poison you!

My dear, dear friends, forgive! Pull the root of bitterness out of your soul.

Then, where bitterness once held you captive, replace it with the same grace and mercy that Jesus has given you.

As you set the other person free, it will free you.