Getting Past Your Past

Forgiving Others

Getting Past Your Past

Lesson 2: Forgiving Others

July 28, 2019

 

God Has Given Us An Antidote That Can Help Us Live Free From Bitterness,

And That’s Forgiveness

 

If You Don’t Choose Forgiveness By Default You Choose Bitterness

 

1 Corinthians 1:18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. New Living Translation

 

Forgiven People Forgive

 

Matthew 6:12 …and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. English Standard Version

 

Ephesians 4:26 If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly. 27 For when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil. Living Bible

 

Ephesians 4:31 Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Contemporary English Version

 

“I know from personal experience how damaging it can be to live with bitterness and unforgiveness. I like to say it's like taking poison and hoping your enemy will die.” - Joyce Meyer

 

Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. Contemporary English Version

Six Things It Is…

  • Cancelling a debt
  • A decision and a process
  • A gift for them
  • Genuinely wanting good for them
  • Letting God avenge you
  • Removing the person’s control of you

 

“I will never allow another man to control my life by allowing him to make me hate him.” – Booker T. Washington

 

Five Things It Is Not…

  • Diminishing the sin
  • A response to an apology
  • Forgetting
  • Trust
  • Reconciliation