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DON’T TAKE THE BAIT—4

“ESCAPING THE TRAP”

I have been a physician for four decades and have seen more lives destroyed by bitterness than cancer, addiction, heart disease, diabetes, and contagious diseases combined. —Dr. Rick Hindmarsh, MD

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31

“Get rid of all bitterness… Ephesians 4:31

…forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

FORGIVENESS IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS YOU FROM THE TRAP OF AN OFFENSE.

REVENGE IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS YOU FROM THE TRAP OF AN OFFENSE.

IGNORING IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS YOU FROM THE TRAP OF AN OFFENSE.

FORGIVENESS IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS YOU FROM THE TRAP OF AN OFFENSE.

“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’
‘No, not seven times, ’Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)

Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Matthew 18:32-35

Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:32-35

"Everyone says forgiveness  is a lovely idea, until they  have someone to forgive." —C.S. Lewis

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FORGIVE?

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

  1. FORGIVENESS IS NOT SAYING IT’S OK.

  Forgiveness isn’t saying it’s ok, 

  it’s saying you don’t owe me.

  2. FORGIVENESS IS NOT A FEELING.

  Forgiveness isn’t a feeling, it’s a 

  decision. Positive feelings tend to 

  follow forgiveness, not precede it.

  3. FORGIVENESS IS NOT FORGETTING OR IGNORING.

  Forgiveness is remembering what 

  Jesus did for you and offering 

  the same to others.

  4. FORGIVENESS IS NOT THE SAME AS TRUST.

  Forgiveness is given; mistrust is earned.

  5. FORGIVENESS IS NOT DEPENDENT ON SOMEONE SAYING, “I’M SORRY”.

Forgiveness only requires one person,

while reconciliation requires two or more.

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS:

Forgiveness in the Bible is the word: RELEASE – To LET GO.

Forgiveness doesn’t change the PAST, but it gives you back your FUTURE.

“Get rid of all bitterness…” Ephesians 4:31

“Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (MSG)

CHALLENGE PRAYER:

“God, I’ve held on to unforgiveness against _________. I’m asking You to give me the strength to forgive them so I can be free from the trap of offense. My unforgiveness is making me bitter and holding me back from the future You want for me and my family. 

Today, I choose to forgive the same way You’ve forgiven me.”

“The Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13 (ESV)

TWO KINGDOM CHALLEGES:

1. RECEIVE forgiveness and be BAPTIZED.

2. OFFER forgiveness and be FREED.