#1 - The Key to Unlocking Freedom: Forgiveness
The Problem:
“I fear that I’m going to hell. I have stubborn sexual sin. I pray and pray about it and I know the scriptures about it. I hear sermons and I repent and I try so hard to stop this sin, but I lust and it consumes me. It takes me over. I don’t want it anymore and something is blocking me from breaking through. I was sexually assaulted since I was a child by my dad, grandpa, and cousin till I was a teen. I’m desperate and I’ve tried for years, but I’m doing something wrong. Please help! I need deliverance. I don’t want to continue to live in this sin. I’m embarrassed but I’m desperate. Please help! God bless you.” - Elizabeth
The Counsel:
Summary: Are you trapped in a cycle of sin, feeling imprisoned by your past? Do you yearn for freedom but can't seem to break free? The answer might lie in the power of forgiveness.
I've received countless messages from individuals battling the same struggles. They're entangled in a web of sin, unable to escape. Often, the root cause is unforgiveness. Matthew 18 reveals a crucial principle: as God's servants, we have been forgiven much. If we then refuse to forgive others, we become like the wicked servant, holding another captive. This unforgiveness can manifest as a spiritual prison of bondage, hindering our relationship with God and keeping us bound.
Ask yourself: Who are you withholding forgiveness from? Is it a parent, a sibling, or someone else who has deeply hurt you? Do you secretly wish to see them suffer for the pain they caused? That desire for retribution reveals unforgiveness. It's not about condoning their actions, but about recognizing that we are not God. We are not the judge. Surrender the desire for vengeance to God, trusting Him to administer justice.
This is not easy. It requires divine grace. Pray for the strength to forgive, recognizing that true forgiveness comes from God. It might feel like a battle, a painful process of releasing those you've held captive in your heart. But remember, getting out of sin is rarely easy. It requires a willingness to suffer, to face the pain and discomfort of breaking free.
Just as Christ suffered on the cross, we too must be willing to endure the pain of letting go. This suffering is temporary. God promises to restore and strengthen those who persevere. He will help you overcome the desires that bind you. Surrender your struggle to Him, and He will set you free indeed. Hold onto Jesus' teachings, embrace forgiveness, and unlock the door to true freedom.
tags: forgiveness, freedom, sin, prison, grace, suffering, healing
