Financial Discipleship - the Bible on Honestyنموونە

Forgive the Dishonest

In order to grow more like Christ and experience the benefits He intends for us when we are the victim of dishonesty, we must forgive.

And more than forgive, we are to be kind, compassionate, and seek to be a blessing.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:39)

“Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)

Unforgiveness can be a daily battle, particularly if the situation has been horribly hurtful. But if allowed to fester in the memory and emotions, it deeply harms the person who refuses to forgive. A friend described it as swallowing poison and hoping the other person will die. When we refuse to forgive, the bitterness in our hearts can turn toxic, consuming our thoughts and eating away our emotional health. Forgiveness and seeking to bless the other person, however – as counter-intuitive as that might seem – leads to freedom, even joy.

It is imperative to pray regularly for the Lord to give us the desire to forgive and then to give us love for the people who may have harmed us. Jesus tells us also to pray for them,

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of you Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:44)

It’s hard to remain bitter toward someone you are praying for regularly.

(Excerpt taken from Honesty: A missing key to unlocking intimacy with God, Howard Dayton, 2021)