A Teaching on Extreme Danger of Bitterness and Unforgiveness
I recently located an old copy of this encouragement I shared on social media 7.5 years ago.
I’m dusting it off (doing some quick edits) and sharing it here in the hope it helps someone!
A teaching on extreme danger of Bitterness and Unforgiveness…
This afternoon I felt led by The Holy Spirit to type up something (for someone today!) about the issues of “self” and hardness of heart; or the dangers of allowing un-forgiveness to lead to bitterness.
May this touch those who have ears to hear or eyes to see!
(I will type or share a powerful but simple Prayer at the end, to give hope to those who do not know “how” to let it go!)
This is primarily for believers in Jesus Christ, because the bible will be quoted here as foundational!
Sadly, many who profess belief in Him or are or were saved, are stuck in the trap and in big danger if they’re not set free soon.
Fortunately, there’s a way out!
The goal of this teaching and testimony is to encourage and help someone.
I’m qualified to teach this, because I went through a terrible ordeal due to bitterness and un-forgiveness years back, that nearly killed me.
I thank The Living God, for leaving the 99 and coming to get me; one of His lost sheep who was stuck in the muck and the mire, and was carrying around huge weights that He never wanted me to ever lift to begin with!
I won’t share that whole story here, but I will say that the “tormentors” mentioned in Matthew 18 in the parable of the unforgiving servant, were loosed against me after I held on to horrible anger and bitterness against a couple of people who I had cared about greatly.
I had taken great offense at something that was done to me, and I held on to it for a long time! (The Bible calls that receiving the “spirit of offense”.)
In that parable of the unforgiving servant that Jesus shared more than 2,000 years ago. it tells of someone who was greatly forgiven, but then they didn’t show that same forgiveness to others — and it’s a warning of what will happen to any believer who falls into that trap!
I highly suggest reading ALL of Matthew 18, there are other scriptures of advice for forgiving, but here is the specific parable I mentioned, in the following verses:
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down [e]at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you [f]all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”” Matthew 18:21-35 NKJV).
In the context of the parable, every instance of “forgive or forgive not his brother” means anyone (male or female, old or young!) in your life; they could be family members, total strangers, co-workers, best friends, spouse or former spouse, or your neighbors.
The bottom line, God is clear throughout His living word, if you profess Jesus as your LORD, you must forgive!
It’s a big deal to get caught in this snare of the enemy!
Here’s a single scripture from The Bible, that Jesus also stated, these are my favorite Scriptures, the RED letters!
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37.
This scripture is so clear, especially the last part as we can totally gain insight to something that is noteworthy here by inference (or suggestion!); if we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven!
That’s a terrifying thought, but The LORD Jesus Christ (who suffered tremendous rejection, hurt and pain beyond what we will ever feel!) already made the way, by His suffering on The Cross!
The Bible says focus on today, or worry not about tomorrow, for today brings enough trouble of its own! (I’m paraphrasing from Matthew 6:24)
It also says in another scripture that we “know not what tomorrow will bring”, and that “life is just a vapor!”
My point is, none of us knows when we could take our last breath!
You do not want to face God after leaving this earth, called as one of His sheep, and try to enter the Gates of Heaven with seeds of bitterness in your heart!
The Scripture above is clear, you don’t forgive, you’re not forgiven; The Word of God cannot be disputed!
Here is another nugget on what can happen if we get caught in offense, mentioned in Hebrews 12,
“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15.
In this Scripture, it’s very clear that if we “fail of the grace of God” (by being unforgiving, unloving, or refusing to be conformed to Christ’s image) a root of bitterness will spring up and cause not only great trouble or heartache in your life, but it will likely defile many others around you!
With anger, rage, bitterness, it’s common to want to vent, and the next thing that happens is you’re speaking word curses frequently at or about others, being guilty of causing division; which is one thing God hates!
Somebody once said, and it greatly impacted me way back… By not forgiving, it’s like
“you’re mixing poison for the other person to drink, but you’re swallowing it yourself!”
Wow, how fruitful and productive is that?
This is how a wall of stone will form spiritually around your heart!
I could go on, but if this has impacted or convicted you in any way and you’re battling this, here’s The Good News: You don’t have to “figure it out” or know how to forgive, you just have to exercise free will, and give it to The LORD in humility and contriteness and in repentance.
A dear ministry friend of mine in Australia also put it this way, “Put it on The Altar, darling!”
If you are tired of being hurt, if you’re tired of being bitter, and you know deep down you’re destroying yourself, or you’re battling “tormentors” of your own, then today’s the day to give it to The LORD!
The Bible says this, which is foundational to letting it go:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” James 1: 9.
So, I’m going to do a prayer model you can pray word for word or ask The Holy Spirit to lead you in any modified version of it!
Talk to God, if you’re crying out from your heart, He is listening or will, and today will be your day of absolute breakthrough!
Infirmity or illness may be attacking you, poverty, stress, depression or demonic oppression, accidents; no matter what the weapon is that Satan formed against you it will not prosper (Isaiah 54:17) especially if you “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
A Prayer of Repentance for Bitterness and Unforgiveness
Heavenly Father, I come to you in the mighty name of Jesus, with gratitude for the conviction of your Holy Spirit, to lead me to give you the heavy weights of my burden today…
You did not ask me to create or carry this weight or heaviness, you do not give me bitterness…
LORD God, I need your help! Help me Jesus!
Forgive me King of Glory, for I know you paid the ultimate price for my salvation on The Cross.
Your last words on the earth at that time, were “It IS finished!” I ask you to forgive me for not being able or willing to let my anger and hurt go, for trying to figure it out myself, instead of giving it to you!
I ask you to take the bitterness from me, tear down the wall of stone around, or any hardness in my heart, and forgive me for not forgiving: ____________ (insert the name or NAMES of people here you should say it out loud to Him!)
I choose by my free will to be obedient to Your Word, to confess my sin of un-forgiveness, and I ask you to bless those I’ve been angry with, LORD bless my enemies!
Please restore me with your Holy Spirit, with the Spirit of Reconciliation, draw me closer to you and give me the Joy of The LORD as my strength!
I ask for the forgiveness of any other sin in my life, help give me Your strength — in my weakness, to overcome any other obstacles or sin, known or unknown, or strongholds that I have been operating in!
Forgive me of any pride, or focus on self instead of you, and purge any pride that may be in operation, out of my life, clean the “inside of my cup!”
Please lead me and continue to guide me, but expose any other areas that are displeasing to you and remove them to prepare me for your soon and imminent return!
Finally, Jesus, I thank you for Your Blood and its power in my life!
Now that I’ve submitted and surrendered this to you, I plead The Blood to rinse me of all demonic dust of this dark world.
I Repent and Renounce bitterness and unforgiveness, in the mighty name of Jesus!
LORD, I know you knew me from before the foundation of the earth and placed me here for this time. Strengthen me in the spirit of excellence and boldness, to be a vessel of honor for you and your Kingdom!
Help me to show love and light, only you can make the way for me on the narrow path. Strengthen and quicken me to your loving-kindness, and into your Word!
Give me grace and strength, to rest in you and wait on you LORD, as I ask for more direction in my life, and in my walk that you have seen before you placed me in the womb!
Please open divine doors that no man can shut, and close any and all doors in my life, that are not of you!
Thank you, Father, that I know Your Word says, “if I forgive, I am forgiven!”
I thank You that I confess Jesus with my lips, and I believe that He is LORD in my heart, so my name is written in The Lamb’s Book of Life and I’m born-again and sealed until the day of Redemption!
Amen!
Conclusion
Note: If you prayed this Prayer and “put it on the altar”, you are now a part of the True Remnant Bride of Christ, whom He is coming for at the end of the age!
We are the generation who will see the return of The LORD, and I give witness by The Living Word, and with The Holy Spirit, Who is in and with me!
Praise the living God, The LORD of Hosts, the Prince of Peace, for His Mercy and Grace, which endures forever!
Please share this Word and Prayer as you’re led. Time is short, the shaking of all things is at hand, and we called to be Light and laborers in His great Harvest!
A few last Scriptures to encourage and instruct, click on them see or please open your Bible and read them:
Ephesians 4:32, Psalm 51:3-4, Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 103:3, James 5:9, 1 Peter 4:9, Hebrews 12:15.
Blessings to my true brethren in Christ!
~ T. Andrew Farley
Todd Andrew Farley is part of the nameless brigade, called for a time such as this, primarily to minister to the body of Christ and occasionally as a prophetic messenger for the edification of those called to the remnant Bride of Christ. He gives all glory, honor and praise, to the Name above all names, Jesus! For He alone was worthy. Andrew’s own Ministry website is Eagles of Zion.
Thank you for posting this! I’ve had someone I’ve tried to forgive for over a year and it was still not resolved. I really needed this.
I would like to share this but I can only share to peoples’ email. Is there any way you could include that share here? Thank you.
Dear Dianne.
This post can be shared to all social media platforms and more via the buttons on the right of the screen. The + button opens options to dozens more options.
We pray these will allow you to share as you need.
Blessings!
Thank you, Todd, so much for the wonderful prayer of repentance you’ve led us into. Definitely for me! Blessings dear man.
Thank you Jesus! Blessings Monica!
❤️
Thank you for this life changing teaching.
I said this prayer also with tears of repentance.
❤️
Thank you Sir, for your obedience and for bringing a Word from the Lord.
I repent of all bitterness and up forgiveness, and I choose to forgive those who took advantage of me. I bless them abundantly, and may they grow and increase in what God is calling them to do.
I come out of agreement with the spirit of offense, hurt and resentment, and I choose to walk in forgiveness, for I have been graciously forgiven by Him and Hus finished worfk on the Cross
In Jesus Name, I pray – Amen.
Praise God V, so thankful that He spoke to you through this! I was getting ready for bed and around midnight before I closed my lids I found this piece and was led to edit and send it here, so it was for you!( and maybe a couple of more, God willing!
Is very sad (but often effective!) how the enemy uses family often times and sometimes even church friends so to speak, to do the attacking.
But if they hated him, some of them will hate us. Thankfully by the power of the shed blood and His grace, love wins!