In case you didn’t read yesterday’s introduction to these upcoming 23 days of heart searching, I encourage you to do so. We’re opening up our hearts to questions that will prepare us to make room for Jesus in this Christmas season like never before. These questions come from a chapter titled “Obstacles” in one of my favorite books, The Revival We Need, by Oswald J. Smith.
QUESTION #1:
*Have we forgiven everyone? Is there any malice, spite, hatred or enmity in our hearts? Do we cherish grudges; and have we refused to be reconciled?
Whew! Nothing like a LOADED question to start off these devotionals right? It’s a weighty question, but possibly one of the biggest stumbling blocks that can be easily removed as we search our hearts.
Maybe you’ve heard the expression that holding onto an offense is like drinking poison and hoping it kills the other person. That scenario sounds ridiculous, but holding onto unforgiveness causes us to die spiritually. This is an area where we must invite the Holy Spirit to come in and examine our hearts. Here’s a few ways to do this;
1.Pray this prayer when you can quietly and without distraction posture your heart (yes moms go hide in the bathroom ;-) ) “Jesus, I want my heart to be filled with light. I ask You to show me any area of forgiveness in my life. Please help me to forgive and release myself and others and walk in the spirit of peace in my heart.”
2.Have a piece of paper ready and write down anything that comes to mind. You might be surprised at the trival things that come to mind or past events you didn’t realize were still bothering you. That’s ok, don’t ignore these promptings.
3.Ask yourself questions like this—“Am I holding unforgiveness towards myself for anything?” (sometimes this can be the hardest area to release forgiveness, but know Jesus forgives you of your sins and desires you to be free). “Am I delighting in holding a grudge against someone?” (I’ve prayed with people who literally hold grudges because of a sports game outcome that they weren’t even playing in! Hello! These things must be eradicated from our lives). “Have I refused to humble myself and ask for forgiveness for my sin against another?”
I’m not saying this is all that can be done in the area of forgiveness nor that it’s easy, but it will continue the process of making your heart healthier and more free in Jesus.
SCRIPTURES:
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Mark 11:25