Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).
The world, if it can be described by one word, is unforgiving. Such is the flesh. It is proud, thinking that of course one should be given to what one is owed, and one should not be obliged to give to others. The human flesh and the human heart is legalistic. Do not be deceived by the world when it accuses the Church of being legalistic, as a criticism of the Church - the world itself is legalistic. It questions why it should forgive others, and yet assumes it "deserves" forgiveness from others, all without realising it. That it does not realise this all the more testifies to the spirit which it is under, the spirit of unforgiveness.
The spirit of unforgiveness feeds on the flesh of those who harbor unforgiveness and bitter in their hearts. The unforgivness and bitterness is from the heart. However, there is a real demon who seeks to hold such a person in bondage to his unforgiveness and bitterness. In fact, it is because of this person who habours such in his heart that the demons approaches him to hold him in bondage to such sins.
The spirit of unforgiveness insists on the wrong of others, and the justice that is owed to it. Such a person under the spirit of unforgiveness, because of his unforgiving heart, is blinded into thinking that he is right to be unforgiving because forgiveness is not owed. He insists on his 'right' to be owed justice, keeping a record of wrongs in others, while forgetting his own.
Usury is of the spirit of unforgiveness. It is not only covetous and unjust, but unforgiving, thinking that it is owed justice, and thus according others must give what it thinks is due return. Its attitude is one that keeps a record of what others owes to one, having no mercy on those unable to repay what is due. It is hostile against giving freely as Jesus commanded. It is the opposite of love which keeps no record of wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5).
The world, if it can be described by one word, is unforgiving. Such is the flesh. It is proud, thinking that of course one should be given to what one is owed, and one should not be obliged to give to others. The human flesh and the human heart is legalistic. Do not be deceived by the world when it accuses the Church of being legalistic, as a criticism of the Church - the world itself is legalistic. It questions why it should forgive others, and yet assumes it "deserves" forgiveness from others, all without realising it. That it does not realise this all the more testifies to the spirit which it is under, the spirit of unforgiveness.
The spirit of unforgiveness feeds on the flesh of those who harbor unforgiveness and bitter in their hearts. The unforgivness and bitterness is from the heart. However, there is a real demon who seeks to hold such a person in bondage to his unforgiveness and bitterness. In fact, it is because of this person who habours such in his heart that the demons approaches him to hold him in bondage to such sins.
The spirit of unforgiveness insists on the wrong of others, and the justice that is owed to it. Such a person under the spirit of unforgiveness, because of his unforgiving heart, is blinded into thinking that he is right to be unforgiving because forgiveness is not owed. He insists on his 'right' to be owed justice, keeping a record of wrongs in others, while forgetting his own.
Usury is of the spirit of unforgiveness. It is not only covetous and unjust, but unforgiving, thinking that it is owed justice, and thus according others must give what it thinks is due return. Its attitude is one that keeps a record of what others owes to one, having no mercy on those unable to repay what is due. It is hostile against giving freely as Jesus commanded. It is the opposite of love which keeps no record of wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5).
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