“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive…” 2 Corinthians 2:10 NIV How many of us can take that position?  How many times have you gotten upset with someone because how they treated someone else? We have all fallen into that trap, as non-Christians and as Christians. How easy it is to take offense on behalf of another. It is said, children will get mad with each other and later on they are friends again. Oh, but how difficult that is for adults.

Adults can hold on to anger and refuse to forgive as a punishment toward those who have done them wrong. Years can go by and unforgiveness becomes a stronghold. The Dictionary defines a stronghold as a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack. Also, a place where a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld. That sounds like what happens when we hold on to anger, thinking we are protecting ourselves from being hurt again by that person. Refusing to forgive gives us the false idea that we have the right to be angry, we have the right to keep them out of our lives, thus we strongly defend ourselves. I fell into that trap, and found out years later that I had built a stronghold and had to be delivered.

Adults can also strongly take offense on behalf of another. “Don’t talk about my mama.” “That’s my best friend you are talking about.”  So many scenarios are out there, but we are told not to take offense for someone else. What happens when the offender is forgiven, are you in a place to forgive also? This is where 2 Corinthians 2:10 comes into play. Paul said, “anyone you forgive, I also forgive.” (read 2 Corinthians) Forgiveness is very important in the life of a Christian. If you are still bitter against someone, the enemy of your soul will take advantage and keep you in bondage (locked behind that fortress (stronghold) you have built. We falsely believe we are hurting the wrongdoers when in fact we are hurting ourselves. Forgiveness sets us free from the bondage that results from unforgiveness. Learn to forgive others because Christ forgave us from the greatest wrongdoing toward God.

One author states, “Consider also that when you forgive someone, it’s not that you’re allowing them to “get away scott-free”, but rather, it’s you trusting that God is wise enough to handle justice on your behalf.” (“Identifying the Strongholds in Your Life (5 Areas to ...”)

Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”   We have a double fold responsibility, to forgive those who wrong us and forgive those who wrong others. Forgiveness is not forgetting. Forgiving does not mean you will never feel the pain. Forgiveness is never a one-time event (77 times). Forgiveness simply means we release someone from the wrong they committed against us and others. Forgiveness is choosing not to hold an offense against someone. Forgiveness is choosing not to dwell on the offense or continue to rehearse it in your thoughts. (“Forgiveness is a choice - Docsity”) Choose to Forgive!