What Are the Spiritual Benefits of Forgiveness?
By Gena Barnhill @BarnhillGena
Extending forgiveness to those who hurt us can be one of the most challenging, yet life-changing decisions we make. Nevertheless, the spiritual benefits of forgiveness far outweigh the consequences of withholding it. We hurt ourselves when we hold on to unforgiveness.
Jesus said God would forgive us when we extend forgiveness to others. When we hold on to unforgiveness, we block our relationship with God and hinder the flow of His forgiveness. Jesus clearly stated the importance of forgiveness when He said in Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Are you aware of the benefits of releasing forgiveness?
Let’s explore seven spiritual benefits of forgiveness that can bring healing and freedom to our lives.
What Are the Spiritual Benefits of Forgiveness #faith #forgiveness Click To Tweet7 Spiritual Benefits of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is for you regardless of what the offender does. The person who offended you may not even know you have forgiven them. I mistakenly thought that I had to wait for the person who hurt me to be remorseful and apologize. As a result, waiting for the offender(s) to say they were sorry kept me locked in bitterness. Forgiveness is for our well-being, spiritual growth, and relationship with the Lord. To clarify, forgiveness is not dependent on the offender’s actions or awareness.
Opens the door to your freedom. As a result, we no longer remain locked in bitterness. Research from Johns Hopkins University has shown bitterness can negatively impact our health while extending forgiveness measurably improves our health.1 Extending forgiveness frees us. We have prayed with hundreds of people who shared they felt lighter when they forgave those who hurt them. One man said he felt like a concrete block had been lifted off his back.
Releases our pain. We have heard people question whether they had forgiven someone because they still remembered the painful event. Although Jesus does not erase the memory of the offense, He removes the pain of that memory when we hand the person and the situation over to Him. He heals our hearts and fills us with His peace.
Gives you hope. Forgiveness paves the way for restoration and renewal. When we forgive, we ask the Lord to restore what we lost. For example, He restored Job’s friendships, doubled his fortune, and gave him ten more children and 140 more years. He can restore us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Invites peace into our lives. When we take the offenders off our hooks and give them to Jesus, He deals with them. He is the ultimate judge over all hearts. We are no longer the judge and jury, and peace reigns in our lives. We can trust Him to do this.
Victorious life is the result. When we forgive, we recognize that we’ve believed lies from the enemy and acknowledge we no longer want to be locked in anger and bitterness. Ask the Lord for His truth about you. Philippians 4:13 says, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Jesus helps us forgive the person who has wounded us. Ask Him.
Empowers us. We are no longer victims but are now victors in the Lord. We are restored to our true identity, which is a beloved child of the Lord of the universe. Through His strength we can forgive those who caused deep wounds. Romans 8:37 says, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Next Steps:
Take some time this week to consider who God is asking you to forgive. It may even be yourself.
In the meantime, what tips do you have about forgiveness? Be sure to share them in our Facebook Group Healing Prayer Discussion.
Looking forward to your input.
Blessings,
Gena
- Forgiveness: Your Health Depends on It,” The John Hopkins University, the John Hopkins Hospital, and the John Hopkins Health System, accessed February 22, 2024, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/forgiveness-your-health-depends-on-it.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 2, 2022, and was revamped for comprehensiveness on April 13, 2024.
