All of us have been mistreated at some point in life, and then often feel that the person doesn’t deserve our forgiveness.
Proverbs 4:23 says that we should guard our hearts.
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.
Proverbs 24:17
Just because the person hurt you, doesn’t mean you should take vengeance.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:38-46
When we read this scripture in context, we realize that Jesus says that the world wants you to take revenge, but the way God wants us to be good to those who mistreat us.
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
Even Jesus forgave the people who tortured, mocked and nailed Him to the cross (Luke 23:34).
In Mark 11 and also Matthew 6, Jesus proclaimed that if you want God to forgive you of your sin, you have to forgive others.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Mark 11:25
John Bevere once said that if you can’t forgive someone, then you have forgotten what you have been forgiven of.
Even though it is difficult sometimes, we should choose to forgive someone. Unforgiveness leads to hatred, which leads to bitterness, which leads to isolation, which leads to deception and that leads to chaos in the mind and unfortunately, that chaos will lead you to death.
In the end, what that person has done to you won’t kill you, but your unforgiveness will.