The Holy Spirit Helps Us Forgive

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—John 14:16 (NIV)

For Insight

When we struggle to align our feelings and thoughts with the forgiveness we have extended to others, the Holy Spirit comes to help us accomplish it.

Just because we say “I forgive you,” does not mean our heart or thoughts are in agreement with our words. Uniting our words, heart, and thoughts, is the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer. He alone has the power to transform our lowly thoughts, soften our hardened and wounded heart, and help us remember how much we have been forgiven by God. He directs the transformation, and our part is to submit and trust him.

While the devil works from the outside to convince us to retract the forgiveness given. He uses every opportunity to show us why forgiveness is foolish, how we have forgiven too soon, and why “they” aren’t deserving, the Holy Spirit is at work internally, helping us, remolding, and transforming our old nature—that part of us that naturally resists forgiving, resists letting go, resists moving forward—until we look and act more like Christ.

The enemy will never give up. Even years later will do his best to get us to reverse our position of forgiveness: A song on the radio, a television show, an old picture in the photo album, the mention of a name; it only takes a small nudge to get us to recant our “I forgive you.”

But the Lord keeps us from being defeated. We can silence the enemy’s voice; we can reject his counsel by turning to and leaning upon the Spirit who is at work and never fails to accomplish the Father’s will in our lives and heart.  

Without the Spirit’s help working on our interior daily, we would hold grudges, be resentful and become bitter. We would slide backward and feel justified. We would never be free and always at the place of struggle, void of any peace or happiness. We praise God for the Advocate he has sent to walk with us daily. A true and eternal friend who helps us with every need, including being steadfast to forgive.

Thank you, Father for sending the powerful Helper and Advocate the Holy Spirit. Because he helps us, we are victorious over unforgiveness. Amen    

Apply:

On a scale of 1-10 how effective have you been at silencing the voice and counsel of the enemy to retract forgiveness you have spoken to someone?

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