Overcoming Self – Part 5

Today we continue in our next topic from a chapter taken from my book, Victory Over Backsliding.  The subject of unforgiveness is a most important, if not most difficult one, since it so profoundly affects our heart and our relationship to God.    

Hurts & Unforgiveness

            It is easy to spot outward sins as mentioned in Galatians, like participating in wild parties and drinking, drug abuse and sexual immorality.  But it is the inward sins that are often the most destructive.  For example, unforgiveness is probably the greatest stumbling block to a Christian's growth.  If you were to ask any Christian, they would tell you that to forgive is one of the most difficult things we are asked to do as a Christian.  The last thing the flesh wants to do is forgive, because pride is at the heart of the self-life.  To forgive is to die to our pride and humble ourselves before God and man.  The flesh hates this, yet we will never grow as Christians until we are willing to forgive those we feel have wronged us.

          While it is true that "out of the heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45), we can go on for years with unforgiveness and not be aware of it.  There seems to be a pattern when dealing with buried hurts.  First, a person is hurt by something someone did or said to them, then they become angry and either retaliate or keep it inside.  Many Christians have been taught to "keep it inside" so as not to hurt someone else's feelings.  But unresolved anger leads to bitterness and this heart attitude can then lead to covert or open rebellion.  

 

           I once talked with a man who used to faithfully attend a Bible-believing church and he and his family quit going because he was "fed up" with too many people playing church and something that a member did hurt him and turned him off.  This hurt affected his walk and the testimony of his entire family not to mention how it gave the church a very bad name.  I am afraid that there are many others who could be considered a "casualty of the church" since this occurrence is very common.  Many people have left the church because they have been disillusioned and hurt by another member.  This can definitely lead to a life time of backsliding if the unresolved hurt is not confessed and healed. 

 Taken from Victory Over Backsliding, by Linda McBurney-Gunhouse, Creative Focus Publishing, p. 67-68, 2007.

In Part 6, we’re going to look at temptations that can lead to some serious consequences.  Find out the hope and help that awaits, and that we can overcome and not get caught in its trap.