Text:          Hebrews 12:15

By:              Ogumor, Sunny (Bishop)

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As we study ENEMIES OF INNER PEACE, we should bear in mind that, ‘the enemies of inner peace’ are primarily internal states like self-doubt, the war (inside) between the flesh and the spirit. (Gal 5:16-18. We have been told to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. Rom 8:1 told us that there is no condemnation to those who walk in the spirit).

Today we are looking at the ‘’impact of unforgiveness’’ which also disrupt peace by fueling anger, pride, bitterness, envy, lust, greed, and the likes.

A man asked his son “do you know who your real enemies are?” the son said yes sir, “they are the people who don’t like you”. The father said no son, “your real enemies are inside you”. Amongst which is unforgiveness, of which when rooted in the mind bears a lot of unpleasant fruits like anger, bitterness, lust, ego, jealousy and so on. They really show up in our daily life more than we could imagine.

Unforgiveness does not bear a good child. Heb. 12:15 told us to watch out before trouble will consume many.

Heb 12:15 (NIV). See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

This is a call for vigilance against harbouring grudges against someone, a sin with corrupting influences that harm physical and spiritual life. Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” 

See that no one falls short of the Grace of God: Heb 12:14 (NIV) Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Falling short means failing to obtain God’s favor due to sin, disobedient, hardened heart and things like that.

Bitter root or root of bitterness:

A product of unforgiveness that grow deep in a person’s heart, poisoning the mind, spirit, faith, and relationships, leading to anger, strife, and spiritual stagnation or backwardness. It harms the person holding bitterness more than the target.

To cause Trouble and corrupt many: Some persons are quarrelsome you don’t know the root cause. Bitterness could be raging in their mind. Ready to fight and wound you or instigate fear in you. Make you stop fellowship. 

UNFORGIVENESS: When you here phrases like ‘’tit for tat’’, ‘’an eye for an eye’’ mind quickly go for a revenge mission, retaliation or reprisal, action for action. It’s all about giving someone the same treatment they gave you, especially when it’s unpleasant, a retaliation for something harmful. The grudge will be there until you retaliate to your satisfaction and even beyond. Continue living in the past. 

Some products of this attitude are;

• Unrighteous anger: that deteriorates and tarnish relationship by the day. Eph 4:26. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. Jam 1:20. For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
• Aggression: Feeling upset at the present of supposed offender which can extend to others who associate with the supposed offender.
• Erratic: Uncontrolled mind, speech, causing trouble and speaking ill of others who are perceived enemies.
• Spiritual Damage: Corrupting one’s walk with God and hindering prayer. “If you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, your Father in heaven will forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins”. Matt 6:14-15, Rm 12:19.

In the Christian culture, failure to forgive is unthinkable. Whatever the issue, whatever the offense, a failure to forgive is a blatant act of disobedience.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told us clearly that if anybody offends us, we are to forgive Seventy times seven — that is, an endless number of times Matt 18:22.

Impacts of unforgiveness:

The refusal to forgive others can lead to a range of negative outcomes, both in personal life and in relationship with God.

Unforgiveness brings severe consequences, damaging your mental and physical health, poisoning relationships and hindering your spiritual growth. It traps you in negative emotions, distorts your view of life, and prevents personal growth and reconciliation.  

1. Unforgiveness will lock (imprison) you in your past: As long as you fail to forgive an offender, you are shackled to the past. (chained to that event) Unforgiveness keeps that pain alive.

Unforgiveness never let that wound heal, and you go through life reminding yourself of what was done to you, stirring up that pain and makes you angry every time you remember the event.

You will continue to do this, waiting for the day you will have the opportunity to revenge. And this could be a life time if care is not taken. You go through life accumulating bad feelings. That means loss of peace and joy: The absence of forgiveness can lead to a lack of inner peace and joy.

2. Unforgiveness produces bitterness: Hebrews 12:15 warns, if root of bitterness springs up it will cause trouble and corrupt many. Bitterness is often a byproduct of unforgiveness, it can consume an individual’s heart, leading to spiritual unrest and dissatisfaction. 

These negative emotions consume our thoughts, making it difficult to find peace and happiness. Romans 3:14 ESV) “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

You will be harassed by the memories of what you can’t forgive, your thoughts toward others become to do evil, and your whole view of life becomes distorted.

3. Unforgiveness gives Satan an open door: Where you have unresolved bitterness and an unforgiving spirit, you have given place to the devil. 

Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 4:26-27, 2 Corinthians 2:10-11. Do good for the sake of Christ so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

4. Unforgiveness hinders Relationship with God: Mark 11:25. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive yours.” 

This passage is telling us how God want forgiveness to be, emphasizing that harboring unforgiveness can im one’s own reception of God’s grace.

5. Judgment and Condemnation: Unforgiveness can result in divine judgment. James 2:13 states, “For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.” This verse highlights the principle that those who fail to extend mercy and forgiveness may themselves face a harsher judgment.

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? – 1 John 4:20. 

6. It causes Broken Relationships: The refusal to forgive can spoil relationships, leading to division and withdrawal. Colossians 3:13 encourages believers to “Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Unforgiveness can prevent reconciliation and healing of broken relationship.

Socially it isolates us from others. We may become suspicious, seeing potential betrayal in every relationship. Others may begin to avoid us because of our bitterness or constant rehearsing of grievances.

“A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers – Ruth Graham”.

7. Future Impact: Passing Unresolved Issues to Children and Grandchildren. 

Exodus 20:5 warns about the generational consequences of sin: “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.” 

Our unforgiveness may not affect us only but it may establish patterns that influence our children and grandchildren. Agree with me that unresolved issues pass from generation to generation in families and communities until God intervene.

8. Psychological And Emotional Effects: Considering that some issues are too grievous for some persons to consider forgiveness. What will happen.

• You will remain in Emotional Bondage because you are trapped in cycle of bitterness, resentment, and anger. Ephesians 4:31-32 advises, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”
• Always thinking of next line of action, too much of it will make you have difficulty focusing on other issues, memory problems can set in and distorted thinking become visible.
• As you see your enemy every day or very often you will develop low life satisfaction which Leads to a generally poorer quality of life.

8. Spiritual Consequences.
   Hindered Prayer Life: Unforgiveness can also affect one’s prayer life Mark 11:25instructs, “And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your trespasses.” This passage suggests that unresolved grievances can hinder effective communication with God, as prayer is intimately connected to the state of one’s heart.

   9. Biblical Example of Impact on the unforgiven servant.
   In Matt. 18:23-35, Jesus tells the parable of a servant who, after being forgiven a massive debt by his master, refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. The master, upon hearing of this, “revoked his forgiveness and punished the unforgiving servant”.

This parable explains the severe consequences of unforgiveness and the expectation that those who receive mercy should extend it to others. It is established that when we forgive, our heavenly father will forgive us. 

Conclusion:

Unforgiveness can have far-reaching consequences, affecting our emotional well-being, physical health, and relationship with God. The weight of holding onto grudges can slowly wash away our happiness, leaving us trapped in a cycle of bitterness and resentment.

Remember your unforgiveness blocks access to God’s forgiveness Matt 6:15. 

May God bless his words in our heart in Jesus Name, Amen.

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