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 (New International Version, NIV)

Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Matthew 6:12 (The Passion Translation, TPT)

No matter how bad the sin or offense, no matter how much it hurt or harmed us, God expects us to forgive those who have wronged us. Forgiveness is the only way for us to move on from the event and have a healthy, happy life. Resentment makes us bitter and ties us up inside so we do not have freedom. Unforgiveness is poisonous to us.

We have to remember a couple key points when forgiving others.

• The other person is being used by satan. The issue is with the devil, not the tool (person) he used. When we can separate the person from the harmful act that the enemy perpetrated through them, it is easier to forgive.

• Forgiveness is a decision. not an emotion. We may feel hurt and angry, but we can still choose to forgive the person or persons. It doesn’t mean we have to be around them and open ourselves up to more harm. And it doesn’t mean they didn’t do something wrong, but it means we refuse to hold onto the wrong. Forgiveness is a release for us.

• We can forgive even if the other person is not sorry for what they did. Forgiveness is dependent on us being obedient to the Lord’s command to forgive, not on the repentance of the other person. When we forgive, it does not mean they will get away with what they did, because God is just. It means we are free from it.

Today, no matter how wicked the scheme or how evil the plot against you or someone or something you care about, make the choice to forgive. Forgiveness is the key to moving on with your life. The quality of the future for each of us rests on our willingness to forgive.