Why Live in Torment?

When something goes wrong emotionally, what is your first response? Do you reach for some form of pain medicine? Perhaps you even reach for a glass of wine. Do you call the doctor and schedule an appointment? Let me ask this question...the last time you felt down or angry or depressed, did you check your heart for bitterness or unforgiveness?

Before you think this concept seems completely off base, consider what Jesus said regarding forgiveness in His parable regarding the slave who had been forgiven his debt.

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For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began to settle accounts, one who owed 10,000 talents was brought before him. 25Since he had no way to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. 

26“At this, the slave fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything! ’ 27Then the master of that slave had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan.

28“But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him 100 denarii. He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, ‘Pay what you owe! ’

29“At this, his fellow slave fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’30But he wasn’t willing. On the contrary, he went and threw him into prison until he could pay what was owed. 31When the other slaves saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened.

32“Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you? ’ 34And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.”

Read verses 34-35 again....

"And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.”

I think we can easily read this verse and dismiss it as referring to what happens to us in death should we choose to not forgive. However, note the slave was not killed and then given to his tormenters. He was very much alive. Until he could repay his own debt. 

Think about the symptoms in our body when we refuse to forgive. We become angry and bitter. Take a moment now to think of someone who hurt you or a situation where you were wounded emotionally. I bet simply thinking of the matter caused your blood pressure to rise and your pulse increase. What must happen to us when we live in a continual state of unforgiveness? When we dwell on the pain caused us by someone our body pays the price. This opens the door for satan and his demons to torment us! What better way to attack us than in our emotions? When we live in unforgiveness we close the door on God! Scripture asks how can light and dark exist in the same place? They cannot! If we are angry, bitter, and full of hate, then we are living our life according to satan. Satan LOVES to see us living this way! He knows, because he knows the scripture also, that we choose to live apart from God's blessings and peace as long as he can keep us living in offense. 

If you are experiencing some form of pain, depression, etc. in your life, I plead for you to take the time alone with God to ask where might there be unforgiveness in your life. Ask God to show you the person who hurt you as He sees them. Pray for them! I had a situation happen in my life that was very painful. I've found as I've been earnestly praying for that person, my hurt from them has decreased. God has shown me areas of their life that need to be healed, revealing the "why" of what they did. God is no respecter of persons. What He has done in my life and many others, He can do for you also. Ask Him to reveal bitterness and anger you may be holding onto in your life. Ask for His healing not just from the event, but for healing from the physical manifestations you are experiencing as a result of the "poison" in your system!

I look forward to hearing your testimonies of what happens after you do this!