Cutting Off My Nose

The curse was:

“And your brother you shall serve” (Genesis 27:40)

Whether it was or not, Esau felt this word from his father to be a curse. But, in what way did Esau actually serve his brother? Jacob was gone for decades and had no physical influence over him. Yet, Esau was actually under his brother’s power.

Whenever we feel angry, have dark thoughts or speak mean words because of another person, we are giving them power. Power for them to control our own emotions. They may not know or even care. But, as long as we hold a grudge, they are controlling us. We are not free to make decisions that the other person might agree with or that we perceive to be advantageous to this dark shadow in our soul. We may not only refuse to forgive; but may even search for more reasons to hate. Just as with Esau; our decisions, conversations and relationships can be warped by an invisible “Off Limits” barrier. Even our reading, understanding and application of God’s Word will be filtered through this web of negative thoughts, judgments and feelings. Esau was under his brother's power because of Esau’s hatred for Jacob.

Many of us are controlled by ropes that we’ve handed to other people. Certain names raise our blood pressure and send our thoughts spinning into dark paths. To be released from these bonds, we must sincerely forgive. This means we forgive even to the extent that we will genuinely try to help those that we used to resent. Even non-Christians help their friends, but only Christians have been given the power to truly love their enemies. “I can’t or I won’t” are barriers we erect that can stop the flow of God’s power into our life. Who is the loser? It’s not the one we resent. Because of our anger, we may be “cutting off our nose to spite our face.”

Project:

• Make a list of names of those who cause a reaction in your thoughts or feelings.
• Name by name; explicitly tell God that you forgive each person on the list for the specific things they’ve done to you or to others that you love.
• Ask God how you can bless that person; write down an idea by each name.
• Carry out those ideas.

"... And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."
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