The Importance of Forgiveness

3rd January 2025

The Importance of Forgiveness

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” — Matthew 6:14

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging commands in the Bible. It can be tough to forgive someone who has hurt us deeply, whether it’s a friend, family member, or even a stranger. When we’ve been wronged, our natural instinct is to hold onto that pain and sometimes seek revenge. But as followers of Christ, we are called to forgive others just as God has forgiven us.

Matthew 6:14 teaches us that forgiveness is not optional, it’s a necessary part of our relationship with God. Jesus made it clear that when we forgive others, we also open the door for God’s forgiveness to flow into our own lives. But when we refuse to forgive, we put up a barrier between us and God. In the Lord’s Prayer, just a few verses earlier, Jesus taught us to pray, β€œForgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). This wasn’t just a suggestion; it was a command. We are called to forgive, just as God forgives us.

Think about the story of Joseph in Genesis. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and left to suffer for years. When he finally rose to power in Egypt and had the chance to get revenge on his brothers, he chose forgiveness instead. He said to them  in Genesis 50:20, β€œYou intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Joseph didn’t deny the hurt his brothers caused, but he trusted God’s greater plan and chose forgiveness. Because of that, Joseph was able to move forward with his life and even help those who had wronged him.

Forgiveness can be difficult. It’s easy to forgive when the wrong is small, like a friend forgetting your birthday. But what about when someone betrays you or hurts you deeply? Take, for example, the story of a woman named Sarah, who was hurt by a close friend’s lies. At first, Sarah couldn’t understand why her friend would do such a thing, and the bitterness built up inside her. She struggled with the idea of forgiveness for months. But one day, after reading Matthew 6:14, she realised that holding onto anger wasn’t helping herβ€”if anything, it was poisoning her heart. She prayed for the strength to forgive, and over time, she let go of the bitterness. It wasn’t easy, but Sarah found freedom in choosing to forgive. Her heart was lighter, and her relationship with God grew stronger.

Forgiveness isn’t about excusing the wrong or forgetting the hurt. It’s about choosing to release the control that the offence has over your heart. When we forgive, we are set free from the chains of bitterness and anger. We allow God to heal our wounds and restore our relationships., Forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciling with someone or letting them back into your life. There are situations where setting boundaries is necessary for our emotional or physical safety. But even then, forgiveness still allows us to release the hurt and trust that God will handle the justice. Romans 12:19 reminds us, β€œDo not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: β€˜It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

Declaration

I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

29 thoughts on “The Importance of Forgiveness”

  1. Declaration

    I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God. Amen

    Thank you so much Papa for this powerful devotion. God bless you Sir

    Shalom my Father

  2. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God. Amen. Thank you so much Papa. More grace sir

  3. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God. Thank you so much Pastor Sir.

  4. I declare that, I will forgive those who wronged me, just as God has forgiven me.
    I choose to release anger, bitterness and resentment. And I trust God to heal my heart..
    I will not let unforgiveness hold me back but instead I will walk in freedom and peace..
    Knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.
    In Christ name i declare, amen πŸ™.
    Thank you so much Papa

  5. declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God . πŸ™ thank you pastor

  6. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God. Thank you Pastor for this powerful devotional.πŸ™

  7. Adelaide Nenguke

    For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” β€” Matthew 6:14
    I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

    Thank you Pastor for this powerful devotion.

  8. I DECLARE THAT I WILL FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGED ME, JUST AS GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME. I CHOOSE TO RELEASE ANGER, BITTERNESS, AND RESENTMENT, AND I TRUST GOD TO HEAL MY HEART. I WILL NOT LET UNFORGIVENESS HOLD ME BACK, BUT INSTEAD, I WILL WALK IN FREEDOM AND PEACE, KNOWING THAT FORGIVENESS BRINGS ME CLOSER TO GOD.

    HALLELUJAH πŸ‘

    Thank you Pastor. This Devotion has been very helpful. More Grace

  9. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.. hallelujah.
    Thank you pastor for this devotional. More grace sir πŸ™

  10. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God. Thank you Papa

  11. I DECLARE THAT I WILL FORGIVE THOSE WHO WRONGED ME, JUST AS GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME. I CHOOSE RO RELEASE ANGER, BITTERNESS, AND RESENTMENT, AND I TRUST TO HESL MY HEART. I.WILL NOT LET UNFORGIVENESS HOLD ME BACK, BUT INSTAED, I.WILL WALK IN FREEDOM AND PEACE, KNOWING THAT FORGIVENESS BRINGS ME CLOSER TO GOD THANK YOU PASTOR AND MORE ANOINTING.

  12. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

  13. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.
    Thank you LORD for the healing πŸ™πŸΎ πŸ’– πŸ’“ more grace sir very deep message πŸ™πŸΎ πŸ™ŒπŸΎ

  14. Hallelujah hallelujah Glory be to God Almighty Thank you Father for your Holy Word today.
    I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God..
    Thank you so much Daddy, more grace and strength sir

  15. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

    Thank you Sir

  16. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.
    May God help me in Jesus mighty name πŸ™
    More anointing sir πŸ™

  17. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

    Amen and amen, thank you so much for this devotion Sir πŸŒ»βœοΈπŸ™πŸΎπŸŽ†

  18. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

    Thank you for this uplifting devotional.

    We give God all the glory.

    πŸ™πŸΎ

  19. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.Amen.Thank you so much Pastor. God bless you πŸ™. Amen.

  20. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.
    ABBA wherever it hurts, healπŸ€—πŸ™
    Thank you JESUS
    Thank you Papa πŸ™
    Thank you Minister of the week, increased grace and strength.

  21. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

  22. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God. Thank you daddy for this powerful wonderful Devotion may the Lord bless you and keep you safe in Jesus precious name amen πŸ™

  23. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God. Amen thank you Daddy for this powerful devotion May the Lord bless you in Jesus name more grace to make more devotion Amen πŸ™ πŸ™Œ

  24. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God. AMEN THANK YOU LORD FOR I WILL FORGIVE OTHERS. THANK YOU DADDY FOR THIS UPLIFTING DEVOTIONAL.πŸ™

  25. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.Thank you so much for the Devotion Papa,God bless you SirπŸ™πŸ”₯.

  26. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

    Thank you pastor

  27. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.

    Amen! Thank you so much Papa for this insightful and powerful devotion Sir. More increased grace Sir.

  28. I declare that I will forgive those who have wronged me, just as God has forgiven me. I choose to release anger, bitterness, and resentment, and I trust God to heal my heart. I will not let unforgiveness hold me back, but instead, I will walk in freedom and peace, knowing that forgiveness brings me closer to God.
    Thank you Pastor for this powerful devotional ❀️

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