What Unforgiveness Does

 Matthew 18:21-22


21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.


The Christmas season is a wonderful time of year, but a lot of times, it can be a difficult time of year.  Many of us go through different emotions and stresses this time of year.  We have the hustle and bustle of trying to get Christmas gifts, attend Christmas parties, go to church functions, go to kids Christmas plays, Christmas parades, cooking, etc.  It’s the most busiest time of year!   


Many of us during this season fight different emotions.  Rather it be remembering the loss of a loved one, the stresses of life, or with the usual reuniting with family, or the absence of family, feelings of bitterness and unforgiveness can rear its ugly head.  So, how can these things affect a Christian during this Christmas season?

Resentment has far-reaching and often unexpected consequences. Although bitterness takes root in the mind, it can spread into other aspects of a person’s life. For example, the hostility a man feels toward his father can color his relationship with his wife, his performance at work, or his involvement in church. 

Most of us realize resentment impacts the mind, but have you noticed the physical toll it can take on us as well? An attitude of bitterness triggers tension and anxiety, which can affect everything from muscles to chemical balance in the brain. Over time, that kind of stress weakens the body. 

Unforgiveness also causes spiritual turmoil that hinders a believer’s growth. It can stifle prayer and turn worship dry and hypocritical. That’s because it’s difficult to effectively honor the Lord while trying to justify or hide a wrong attitude. What’s more, resentment dampens a person’s witness.

Forgiving someone means giving up bitterness and the “right” to get even with him or her, even though you were wronged. And God insists on forgiveness not just for others’ benefit but for ours as well. He knows the damage that hostility and vengeance can cause in our life and wants to protect us from it.



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