If we believe that having a forgiving spirit makes us like Christ, then it stands to reason that an unforgiving spirit makes us like satan. Think about it. When we adhere to the eye-for-an-eye doctrine, we pay back exactly the bad thing that was received and are emulating the evil that was perpetrated against us. No wonder Jesus would rather see us with two black eyes.
While we are in this mode we tend to become emotionally attached to those who we refuse to forgive, carrying around burdens of loathing and contempt. It is like stepping in dog poop, scraping it off your shoe, and then carrying it around in your back pocket so you will never forget what happened to you.
Jesus would remind us that any time spent with satan is time that could be spent with Him. The more time we spend with Christ the more we become like Him, taking on both His flavor and fragrance, just like water does as it streams through a garden hose.
satan’s Balancing Act
Another mistake to avoid is shifting blame when we have wronged others, catching ourselves before actually declaring, “What I did may have been wrong, but he deserved it.”
In a worldly sense we might be correct, but in godly sense we have just been tricked by the devil. While the assertion might be 100% accurate, attempts at balancing the scales are only hiding the fact that we have still sinned. Satan found a way for us to justify our behavior and we took the bait. We latch onto to it because it seems to be fair and equitable, but somewhere down the road the Lord will reveal the error.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
“But I want justice!”
Let it go.
Stop and think about it. What do you really want? Do you want justice for yourself or would your rather have mercy? Oh, and I’m not talking about how you you handled yourself in this situation, but all the other times (remember when you did something to someone else that is exactly like what this guy just did to you?). If you’re truthful you will want mercy, not justice. If Jesus first came to dole out justice, we would all be a heap of trouble. Praise be to God that when we deserved justice, He sent His Son to give us mercy. By the way, there is a bottom line: Christ has forgiven us and we are mandated to forgive others.
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
These articles may or may not be related (I haven’t read them all):
- When the hounds howl – Zechariah 3 (atthetableoftheking.wordpress.com)
- Christ Separates, But Satan Divides…What’s The Difference? (jamaljivanjee.com)
- Peace (godfamilycountrylove.wordpress.com)
- How to have a Fruitful Conclusion (sabbathsermons.com)
- CAN Believers REALLY BIND SATAN OR HIS DEMONS? (twsp1.wordpress.com)
- Our Purpose Found in Him (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)
- Into this Grace in which we stand (leadmeintheeverlastingway.com)
- Hatred (gospelier.wordpress.com)
- My Greatest Enemy (theambitiousones.wordpress.com)
- Week 15.2 Jesus and Beelzebul pt 2 (dailybiblestudy.com.au)
- Three Enemies (pilgrimpassing.wordpress.com)
- Three Enemies (pilgrimpassing.com)
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He Dwells -- The B'log in My Eye 
Lack of forgiveness can destroy sooo many things. great post dude.
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Praise be to God! He gives us a chance to learn the easy way or the hard way, amen?
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