(Never Accommodate An Unforgiving, Bitter Heart)
By Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
TO THE BIBLE: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV)
LET’S TALK
When you come across someone who’s bitter and keeps malice, you can be sure such a person is also unforgiving. The reason is that bitterness and malice are both products of unforgivingness. In 1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIRV), Apostle Paul advised: “Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far as evil is concerned. But be grown up in your thinking.” He said so because babies don’t know how to be bitter or keep malice. They’re too innocent for that; they don’t have enough sense to even recognise any wrong done to them.
Know this: every time you allow bitterness and malice any space in your heart, you stop the power of God from working in your life and you immediately open the door to Satan. For instance, there was a time when Prophet Elisha was so angry and bitter against the King of Israel that he couldn’t hear what the Spirit of God was saying to him (2 Kings 3:14).
Think about this: God doesn’t keep in mind your many offences and all the countless mistakes that you make. He always forgives you; so, why not be like your heavenly Father and learn to forgive people, no matter their offence against you? Don’t regard the wrongs done to you by others, and don’t dwell on their actions to the extent that you become bitter and begin to keep malice. Say a big “No!” to bitterness and malice today, and enjoy your life in Christ.
Go Deeper: Colossians 3:8; Hebrews 12:14-15
Speak: Dear Father, I thank you for giving me a heart full of love that bears no record of wrongs done to me. I declare that malice and bitterness have no place in me. I forgive all those who may have wronged me; I choose to love them as you have loved me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading: ONE YEAR Colossians 2:6-23, Isaiah 29-30
TWO YEAR John 4:43-54, 1 Kings 15
Act: If you’ve held anything against anyone, it’s time to sincerely forgive them and show them the love of the Father.
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