Forgiveness and Deliverance
October 2021
There is a difference in being delivered and being forgiven. 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. However, in James 5: 16, confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be HEALED. Notice, God forgives us when we confess our sins to Him, but He HEALS us when we confess to another brother or sister in the body. Jesus Christ, the Deliverer, wants you to be in close and intimate relationships with one another, just like He is close and intimate relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Confession to another is a process in which another person walks you through and helps you discover the root of your rejection, abandonment, and fear. The Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance what caused you to be rejected, abandoned and fearful. In that moment of our complete understanding and submission, it is then, our Deliverer comes in to HEAL our broken hearts. Jesus says in Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He (Father in Heaven) has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
Many are wounded in the church, and unable to help the hurting outside the church. Confession is not only good for the soul, but invites another believer, the Holy Spirit and the Deliverer to bring us to a point of true freedom. Many are not free because we are not effectively communicating with one another. We may be forgiven, but we are not delivered. Many are hurt, and do not know what to do, who to turn to, and are going through the motions to look like Christians, but in fact, are a wounded soldier wandering aimlessly in the wilderness!
Confession to another is a process in which another person walks you through and helps you discover the root of your rejection, abandonment, and fear. The Holy Spirit brings to your remembrance what caused you to be rejected, abandoned and fearful. In that moment of our complete understanding and submission, it is then, our Deliverer comes in to HEAL our broken hearts. Jesus says in Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He (Father in Heaven) has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
Many are wounded in the church, and unable to help the hurting outside the church. Confession is not only good for the soul, but invites another believer, the Holy Spirit and the Deliverer to bring us to a point of true freedom. Many are not free because we are not effectively communicating with one another. We may be forgiven, but we are not delivered. Many are hurt, and do not know what to do, who to turn to, and are going through the motions to look like Christians, but in fact, are a wounded soldier wandering aimlessly in the wilderness!
Forgiveness -the Key to Deliverance
What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is not forgetting or letting someone off the hook. Forgiveness is choosing to not desire revenge, to not want to see the other hurt for the hurt they have caused us.
It can be hard to forgive someone who has hurt you, especially if they are not sorry for what they have done. The Lord’s Pray says, “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. So, we start from the premise that we also have fallen short and need forgiveness. When we do not forgive others, bitterness has an opportunity to occur and can remain for years. I say, ‘bitterness has an opportunity to occur,” because it is really up to us how we respond to offenses. When we refuse to forgive, bitterness, anger, and hatred grow until it consumes us. The good news is, there is a cure for bitterness. It is forgiveness! I am not telling you it will be easy, but when we are willing to forgive, the power of God will be present to help us.
It is human choice to feel when we are hurt, we want to hurt back, or see the other hurt for the hurt that caused us. This desire for justice is normal but forgiveness means we don’t expect justice, we will take our hurt and deal with it instead of turning it into anger at another. Remember, anger is a secondary emotion coming from hurt. To forgive means giving up any right you might have to see the other suffer for what they did to you. You can’t forget, but whenever the hurt or anger come back, you make that choice again to give up any right to see them suffer.
God forgives us – He gives up any right to see us pay for our sin against Him. Therefore, when we forgive, we are being like Him and when we don’t we aren’t. If you have trouble forgiving just tell God, you are willing but struggling. As God heals the pain you will better be able to forgive.
The Benefits of Forgiveness
Forgiving is more for us than it is for the other person: Many times, people don’t even know you are angry with them. They walk around free while you are bound with bitterness. Forgive those who have offended you, betrayed you, or mistreated you, because unforgiveness does not hurt the other person. It hurts you. There is a saying that refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and expected the other person to die.
Forgiving gives us the power to heal – When we are constantly angry and hold negative feelings, it affects our health. This negative energy causes high blood pressure, headaches, arthritis, depression, stomach problems, and a host of other maladies. So, when we don’t forgive, we are hurt twice. Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Forgiving gives you the power to move forward – When we do not forgive, we become emotionally and physically stuck. Constantly rehearsing in our minds what has been done to us. We become spiritually paralyzed and cannot move on to other things, such as new jobs, new relationships, ministry.
God commands us to forgive – There are times when we don’t want to forgive. Especially if we feel justified. God does not tell us to forgive if we feel like it but forgive because we have been forgiven. If we do not forgive others, our relationship with God is in jeopardy, and our prayers will become hindered. Mark 11:25-26
Forgiving gives you the power of mercy – We all know that we will reap what we sow through the law of reciprocity. The Bible teaches that blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. This wisdom reminds us that we are not perfect and will, at some time in life, will need to be forgiven also. Matthew 5:7.
Forgiving gives you back personal power – When you forgive, you are empowered, and it releases you from the power the offender has over you. When we hold resentments and hatred, we from becoming a prisoner of our emotions. We open ourselves to become a bitter person who is not pleasant to be around. When we forgive someone, we become free from the hold that person has over us. We are free at last!
Refusing to Forgive:
Refusing to forgive affects us emotionally: When we are unable to forgive, it can fester and become a root of bitterness. The Bible speaks of a root of bitterness springing up and defiling many. It negatively affects how we see things and how we act. Saul became threatened by David when David was hailed as a great warrior by the maidens. Th e Bible says that from that time forth, Saul began to eye David. This was when anger and jealousy came into Saul’s heart, and he desired David dead. 1 Samuel 18:6-10.
Prayer of Forgiveness (Pray in Faith not by how you feel)
Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I thank you for the power that is in Jesus’ name. I release forgiveness to {mention the name of the person] for hurting me. I choose to no longer hold onto anger, bitterness, and hatred. Father, as you have forgiven me, I forgive and release forgiveness to [mention the name of the person]. Amen. Continue to pray to release forgiveness to all those who have hurt you. As you allow forgiveness to your heart, you will feel a fullness of God’s grace and love. God’s desires His Children to lead a joyful and prosper life. I pray that, God has delivered you as you read this word. Rejoice and be joyful always.
What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is not forgetting or letting someone off the hook. Forgiveness is choosing to not desire revenge, to not want to see the other hurt for the hurt they have caused us.
It can be hard to forgive someone who has hurt you, especially if they are not sorry for what they have done. The Lord’s Pray says, “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. So, we start from the premise that we also have fallen short and need forgiveness. When we do not forgive others, bitterness has an opportunity to occur and can remain for years. I say, ‘bitterness has an opportunity to occur,” because it is really up to us how we respond to offenses. When we refuse to forgive, bitterness, anger, and hatred grow until it consumes us. The good news is, there is a cure for bitterness. It is forgiveness! I am not telling you it will be easy, but when we are willing to forgive, the power of God will be present to help us.
It is human choice to feel when we are hurt, we want to hurt back, or see the other hurt for the hurt that caused us. This desire for justice is normal but forgiveness means we don’t expect justice, we will take our hurt and deal with it instead of turning it into anger at another. Remember, anger is a secondary emotion coming from hurt. To forgive means giving up any right you might have to see the other suffer for what they did to you. You can’t forget, but whenever the hurt or anger come back, you make that choice again to give up any right to see them suffer.
God forgives us – He gives up any right to see us pay for our sin against Him. Therefore, when we forgive, we are being like Him and when we don’t we aren’t. If you have trouble forgiving just tell God, you are willing but struggling. As God heals the pain you will better be able to forgive.
The Benefits of Forgiveness
Forgiving is more for us than it is for the other person: Many times, people don’t even know you are angry with them. They walk around free while you are bound with bitterness. Forgive those who have offended you, betrayed you, or mistreated you, because unforgiveness does not hurt the other person. It hurts you. There is a saying that refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and expected the other person to die.
Forgiving gives us the power to heal – When we are constantly angry and hold negative feelings, it affects our health. This negative energy causes high blood pressure, headaches, arthritis, depression, stomach problems, and a host of other maladies. So, when we don’t forgive, we are hurt twice. Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Forgiving gives you the power to move forward – When we do not forgive, we become emotionally and physically stuck. Constantly rehearsing in our minds what has been done to us. We become spiritually paralyzed and cannot move on to other things, such as new jobs, new relationships, ministry.
God commands us to forgive – There are times when we don’t want to forgive. Especially if we feel justified. God does not tell us to forgive if we feel like it but forgive because we have been forgiven. If we do not forgive others, our relationship with God is in jeopardy, and our prayers will become hindered. Mark 11:25-26
Forgiving gives you the power of mercy – We all know that we will reap what we sow through the law of reciprocity. The Bible teaches that blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. This wisdom reminds us that we are not perfect and will, at some time in life, will need to be forgiven also. Matthew 5:7.
Forgiving gives you back personal power – When you forgive, you are empowered, and it releases you from the power the offender has over you. When we hold resentments and hatred, we from becoming a prisoner of our emotions. We open ourselves to become a bitter person who is not pleasant to be around. When we forgive someone, we become free from the hold that person has over us. We are free at last!
Refusing to Forgive:
Refusing to forgive affects us emotionally: When we are unable to forgive, it can fester and become a root of bitterness. The Bible speaks of a root of bitterness springing up and defiling many. It negatively affects how we see things and how we act. Saul became threatened by David when David was hailed as a great warrior by the maidens. Th e Bible says that from that time forth, Saul began to eye David. This was when anger and jealousy came into Saul’s heart, and he desired David dead. 1 Samuel 18:6-10.
Prayer of Forgiveness (Pray in Faith not by how you feel)
Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I thank you for the power that is in Jesus’ name. I release forgiveness to {mention the name of the person] for hurting me. I choose to no longer hold onto anger, bitterness, and hatred. Father, as you have forgiven me, I forgive and release forgiveness to [mention the name of the person]. Amen. Continue to pray to release forgiveness to all those who have hurt you. As you allow forgiveness to your heart, you will feel a fullness of God’s grace and love. God’s desires His Children to lead a joyful and prosper life. I pray that, God has delivered you as you read this word. Rejoice and be joyful always.
