The Unforgiveness Epidemic

Yesterday at Breakthrough Church, I spoke about the power and necessity of forgiveness while also underscoring the destructive elements of bitterness and unforgiveness.

I’m certain I’m not the first to compare unforgiveness to a cancer in our body, but I was surprised at some of the things I learned as I looked into it.  This insidious weapon can only gain a place if deny access to the Holy Spirit.

I’ll say here as I did yesterday, that I in no way intend to demean what people have gone through in the battle against cancer.  I have had loved ones with the disease, and some of the details I found brought a startling correlation to how bitterness works in our lives.

First off, cancer is a type of disease in which mutated cells (i.e., cancer cells) in our body starts increasing very quickly which can harm the healthy cells and can be dangerous to our lives when it becomes uncontrollable.

Some incredible facts:

• I was shocked to find out that our body develops near about one million cancer cells per day and destroys them every day.  This draws our attention to the reality that we have to be on guard, living in thanks and praise, walking out forgiveness as we stay in fellowship with God.  Every day there are so many opportunities for us to exercise forgiveness or not, to effectively destroy bitterness. If our spiritual immune system is weak, we have a hard time fighting the cancer cells.
• Cancer may happen in any organ or part of the body like skin, breasts, lungs, blood and digestive organs. We have to remember this for ourselves and be on guard while also remembering that we are part of a larger body and community.  We not only affect ourselves, but the entire Body of Christ.
• Carcinogens (any agent used in the spread of the cancer—think asbestos, cigarette smoke) attack the cells and the healthy cells change to cancer cells.  We have to be careful what we take in to our spirit man.  Whether it’s from others, our own thoughts, or lies from the enemy of our souls—what we let in may attack at the cellular level.
• When I say attack the cells, I mean the very DNA of the cell.  So not only does cancer attack, but it destroys at the most fundamental level, our DNA.  Bitterness does the same.  We are brand new creations in Christ, our spiritual DNA is what He gave to us.  The unforgiveness works its way in and destroys that code then spreads and spreads.
• The cancer cells consume nutrients but do nothing.  Sounds like a clear picture of robbing to me.  I’m sure we can all testify that when we allow unforgiveness and hatred in, even when someone encourages us we feel numb.  These cells take up space and gobble up the life that is trying to establish connection to the Father. 

In our spiritual lives, the cancer of unforgiveness takes up valuable real estate that God has plans for.  He wants to imbue us with life, joy, peace, grace, and more; but with the other present, it’s just a black hole sucking up the goodness of God with no benefit.

I began by saying that these cancer cells harm healthy cells and become dangerous when they get uncontrollable.  I have to ask, are you entertaining or allowing unforgiveness to settle in?  If so, do you really believe you can keep it check by sheer force of will?  Maybe for a little while, but there comes a point where the dam breaks.

Ephesians 4:26-27,31: "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold... Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

I’m so glad to be a recipient of divine grace.  It may be a process, but I can walk out complete forgiveness for even the most horrible offenses because of what Jesus accomplished through His life and bearing my cross.  It’s time to recognize unforgiveness as we should, a cancerous enemy. It’s not something to be toyed with.

Is there something you need to let go of today, allowing God to do what you can’t?  It’s not only possible, it’s a necessity.  Forgiveness is life to us. 

If you'd like to listen to the entire message, The Unforgiveness Epidemic, just click here.