Bitter Forgiveness – Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

Bitter Forgiveness – Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV)

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

This passage came to mind the other day. I was thinking about how saying something funny and making people laugh or smile is a good thing. I think the relation to this passage is the idea of "building others up according to their needs." That can be wisdom or laughter, I think.

Paul’s intention here was more likely on the building up of maturity, but I think it leaves room for whatever "needs" someone has. However it might "benefit those who listen."

Is not grieving the Holy Spirit tied to that? Don’t hold back a good word for others. Or to the next part: get rid of bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander. Either way, those are things we should get rid of.

Otherwise, it’s too hard to be compassionate to one another and forgive. To forgive like Christ: freely, completely, lovingly, without strings attached or conditions.

It’s usually pretty easy to remember to get rid of those things (bitterness, etc.) and it’s pretty easy to remember to forgive. But I often don’t consider how they could be related. Maybe I struggle with forgiving because I’m holding on to something else. I see it as just a fault of mine but it could be a real obstacle in my heart.

When I try to forgive while bitter, I think I get more bitter. Bitter forgiveness isn’t forgiveness like Christ.