One of the most consuming emotions is hatred. It totally dominates and controls the way a person thinks, speaks and acts. The Bible tells us that hating someone is like being a murderer.
A close second is the individual who holds grudges. Another way this is expressed is: "to bear a grudge." That means to continue feeling an old resentment for someone; to harbor continual anger for someone. This means to not forgive.
Over the years of my ministry I've come across a few individuals who bear grudges. For reasons taht aren't completely clear they will have a personality that does not mesh or mix with others, and instead of working at overcoming their differences they will say something like:"That's the way I was made, that's the way I am, and there's nothing that can be done about it. What is more, I'm not even going to try"
You may have a personality difference, or you may not like a person, but to be unforgiving, or to bear a life long grudge against someone is something quite different. If you say and act as though you hate someone it reveals an infectiion of heart and mind that is in desparate need of fixing. Some folks harbor their grudges and withhold forgiveness for trivial reasons. Whatever the case may be it doesn't fit with Christianity. Here's what the Lord Jesus says about this matter: Matthew 1:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
13 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.' 14 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
For the power to forgive we must turn to the Lord Jesus...
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