Don’t Keep Good Records of Bad Things

Don’t Keep Good Records of Bad Things

(Prov 17:9 GW) Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.

Here Solomon contrasts the peacemaker and the pot-stirrer. If we are going to have long, lasting, and fulfilling relationships with others, then we must be determined to forgive faults. It is tempting, especially in the midst of an argument (or intense fellowship) to bring up all the mistakes the other person has ever made.

Love, however, keeps its mouth shut and seeks to make the best of everything. One woman to another: “Don't you remember the mean thing she said about you?” The other woman replied: “I not only don't remember; I distinctly remember forgetting!” WOW!!! George Washington Carver was refused admission to a college because of the color of his skin. Years later, when someone asked him for the name of the college, he answered, “It doesn't matter!” I believe love helped him keep his mouth shut.

Back in chapter 10 Solomon said, “Hate stirs up fights. But love erases all sins by forgiving them” (10:12). The issue is how we respond to negative things done to us. As believers we should respond to the evil done wrong to us in a different way than the world.

Love was the central theme of many of Jesus’ messages and He, more than anyone, taught us (by precept and example) how to respond to negativity. It is too easy to repay evil with evil, but when you are able to repay evil with good you know that God has truly changed you from the inside out.

In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus acknowledged what the Old Testament taught: “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (Lev 24:19,20). The issue was not what the Law taught, but rather what He was teaching. He came to show us a new way – a loving way, a caring way, a forgiving way. Jesus went on to say, “You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45). Did you catch that?

True children of God walk in love. True children of God do not keep a track record of the wrong things done to them. True children of God have mercy upon those that transgress against them. In Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae he taught them how forgiven believers should live, saying,

“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14).

Be quick to forgive, to let go, and to move on!

So what does this mean to you? It means that you should not keep good records of bad things and you must truly learn to forgive – in your heart. I know from personal experience how liberating it is to truly forgive and let go. Not only does it free me, but it also frees the person who transgressed against me. Since you have been forgiven, then God expects you to forgive. Forgiveness helps mend broken relationships, heal broken hearts, and it provides a covering for the wrong done. I will close with the words of Peter:

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins” (1st Peter 4:8).

Father, I have been forgiven, and I declare, by faith, that I walk in forgiveness all the days of my life. I don’t keep good records of the bad things done to me. When my friends make mistakes, I am quick to forgive them and move on. When people mistreat me I earnestly pray for them. I pray that Your love would permeate their hearts. I am not afraid, nor concerned about anything others do to me, but I am concerned about them. Use me as an intercessor, to pray for them, to release Your best in them, to be the channel through which You initiate change in their lives. Just as You have released me of all the evil I did, I release them, I forgive them, and I love them with Your unconditional love. I enter this day full of Your love and ready to forgive! In Jesus’ name. Amen!