Ask The Pastor
May 2008


Forgiveness.  I am so inadequate in this area. My earthly view/feeling is that I have given in or given more power to a person who has hurt me. Yet I know and can feel that unforgiveness actually gives Satan a stronghold in my life.  I want to know forgiveness as Jesus showed forgiveness. "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." How did Jesus ever wash Judas's feet knowing he would betray Him? That blows my human mind and logic- as it is supposed to!! I want to know what to pray, study, learn so I  can forgive as Jesus forgave. He is so precious and I am failing Him in this area by holding on to earthly pride and self.

Simply go to the Bible and look up scriptures on forgiveness. Study them and allow revelation to come. Then ask God to strengthen you and empower you to forgive. (See II Corinthians 2:10.) Every time the matter you have forgiven comes up in your mind or in the conversation of others, speak to yourself and say, “I have forgiven them!” Finally, pray for them according to Matthew 5:44. In so doing you will forgive by faith. It may take time for the hurt to go away, but you will have freed yourself from the bondage of unforgiveness. To forgive is not to wipe the matter from all memory, but to release the person as God has released you.