DON’T THINK ON IT OR SPEAK IT EVER
Monday – November 24, 2025
Video link: https://youtu.be/dDnrDF1orKw
Welcome dear saints of God and others to this ongoing study of forgiveness. Our forgiveness and our forgiving others is huge in the ways of God. The Word makes it clear time and again that if we do not forgive others their trespasses against us, God will not forgive us. It does not take a high IQ to see that this is vital to our walk with, our fellowship with God. I asked the question in a prior teaching if the Lord forgets, has no record of our forgiven sins or simply choses not to call them to mind. Now, let me ask a new question. Does the person who trespasses against us need to ask for forgiveness before we forgive? Listen to following discourse between Jesus and the disciples.
Luke 17:3-4 (AMP)
3 Pay attention and always be on your guard [looking out for one another]. If your brother sins (misses the mark), solemnly tell him so and reprove him, and if he repents (feels sorry for having sinned), forgive him.
4 And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled).
We see here that Jesus seems to be saying that we forgive when the person who trespassed against us repents to us. There is no question we are to forgive when asked to forgive. Did you notice the use of the phrase “give up resentment and consider the offense … annulled”? Resentment is anger and bitterness. To annul a thing is to void it, cancel it, or invalidate it. Consider the following Scripture.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.
The following Scripture makes it clear as do many others that forgiving is not optional if we want our sins/trespasses forgiven by God.
Colossians 3:13 (ESV)
13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
The vast weight of Scripture tells us to forgive even in the absence of the person asking for forgiveness so we can be forgiven our trespasses. The following are two examples.
Luke 23:34 (KJV)
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Acts 7:59-60 (KJV)
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
They both forgave in the midst of the offense. We are to do likewise. Jesus commands to do as He did (John 14:12) and has given us the Holy Spirit (as He had) to empower, enable us. Thus, we surely can forgive the things we face, many of which are petty by comparison to what Stephen and Jesus faced. I am not belittling the things people have done against you. What I am saying is that you are well able to forgive as God forgives if you chose. I want to emphasize if you choose.
When we forgive, we don’t think about it. Yes, it will come to mind, and we cast it down saying they are forgiven, I love, them, and Lord I ask your blessing upon them. We must never talk about an offense that has been forgiven, never. Thinking about it and talking about it means you have not forgiven. Yes, this takes effort but as you practice forgiveness it becomes easier and easier empowered of the Holy Spirit, because we love the Lord. As a reminder, remember that loving God is not a worldly emotional fondness. Loving God means obeying Scripture, having a selfless lifestyle, and walking in Blood Covenant.
TAKE HOME:
- There is no upper limit on how many times we are to forgive.
- We must forgive immediately and at no time are we to have bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander or malice, instead we are to be kind and tenderhearted (Ephesians 4:31-32).
- When we forgive, we are to no longer to bring the offense to mind, meditate on it, nor talk about it.
Lord willing, I will resume right here tomorrow. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
REMINDERS
Please take a moment to share this teaching and consider becoming a financial partner. Visit our store/shop on the website, register for our emails, and order a book today, they make wonderful gifts.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://threeminuteword.wordpress.com
YOUTUBE: https://tinyurl.com/588t7343
RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-6530176
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@drdavidrwood
FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com/4h5488yp
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-r-wood-d-o-5ab7ba81/recent-activity/all/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
WEBSITE: https://www.awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
MY BOOKS: https://www.amazon.com/books https://t.ly/TcFpQ
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/awakeariseandtriumphministries/
