CHOOSE TO FORGIVE

“…Forgiveness is something we choose to do in prayer, it is not an emotion. In fact, one of the most important principles for a Christian to grasp is that we can choose against our own will. The very secret of prayer is that when we choose something in Jesus’ name, then the Holy Spirit is released by God inside our inner man to change us in accordance with our request. It is marvellous news to find out that even our will can be changed. It sounds like a paradox to say that one can choose against his own will; but in reality this is the power of prayer. We are not left dependent upon our own ability or strength. The real issue is not whether we feel like forgiving, but whether we choose to forgive; for if we choose to be willing, God has promised to even give us the desire to change. It is written, “It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

This is not only the secret of forgiveness; it is also the secret of being delivered from any attitudes or habits that are contrary to the will of God. You can be delivered from smoking, evil desires, selfishness, gluttony, jealousy, witchcraft, drunkenness, a rebellious attitude, an adulterous spirit, gossip, backbiting, unchastity, a bad temper, lying, or any other sin, because when you call on God in Jesus’ name to change you – then the Holy Spirit does the work.”