1.   FORGIVE YOUR DEBTORS
Dave Earley

2. FORGIVE YOUR DEBTORS
James 4:11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

3. a. Being hurt is expected.

4. b. Bitterness keeps us from drawing near to God.
Bitterness blocks intimacy with God.

5. b. Bitterness keeps us from drawing near to God.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

6. c. Bitterness puts you in bondage.
Matthew 18:34-35 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

7. d. We must choose to forgive.

8. FORGIVENESS BASICS
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

9. Forgiveness is not… Forgiveness is not the same thing as excusing….
Forgiveness is not tolerating sin.
Forgiveness is not foolishness.
Forgiveness is not waiting until they say they are sorry.

10. Forgiveness is…. Forgiveness is cancelling the debt.
Forgiveness is setting yourself free.
Forgiveness is giving up the right to get even.
Forgiveness is looking past the hurt to the person. Ephesians 4:32

11. 5. Forgiveness is making four promises.
"I will not dwell on this incident."
"I will not bring up this incident again and use it against you."
"I will not talk to others about this incident."
"I will not let this incident stand between us or hinder our personal relationship."

12. FORGIVENESS IS…
Forgiveness is ultimately wishing the other person well.
Forgiveness is something that usually takes some time.
Forgiveness is walking in step with God. Colossians 3:13
Forgiveness is impossible without faith. Luke 17:4-5

13. I choose to forgive: __________________ for: ___________
FORGIVENESS IN ACTION
I choose to forgive: __________________ for: ___________

14. FORGIVENESS IN ACTION
I choose to forgive myself for:

15. FORGIVENESS IN ACT
I ask God to forgive me for being mad at Him about: