Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.

–Parallel Verses:
Matthew 18:21-22, 35
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.
[Jesus speaking] “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

I want you to think about a warrior going to battle. The Bible says in Ephesians 6 that we are to equip ourselves spiritually with the equivalent of “battle wear”. Now this warrior has some offensive and defensive equipment: a sword, a bow and arrow, a shield, and a breastplate and helmet. The point of the shield is to block blows from the enemy’s sword or arrows or spear from hitting his/her body armor or the body. It is the first line of defense. Now let’s look at this verse: “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬) When I think about these flaming arrows of the evil one, they come from various people. Some might be the evilest people you know, sure. But others might be people you work with or engage with in life who, in sin, attack us, lie about us, spread vicious rumors about us, or try to harm us or our families through crafty schemes. I have seen my share of this behavior in my life. These arrows are being targeted at us and they are on fire … and fire spreads.

So, we must defend ourselves with our faith. What does this look like? While at times it might involve a theological debate on truth, I am finding that most of the time this looks like applying healthy doses of grace and forgiveness to others. And these parts of our faith serve both to quench the flames (it typically softens the hearts of our enemies), and also acts to humble us and purify our hearts. Because Satan’s main target is our hearts. He wants us to become bitter, spiteful and resentful. If we respond to attacks against us with grace and forgiveness, we thwart the enemy’s plan from the start.

Have you ever thought of forgiveness as a defensive battle armament? I have not until now, but God’s Spirit laid this one me tonight. The funny things is, while trying to write this devotional over the last couple of days, I was wrestling with forgiving someone who attacked me verbally. I find it ironic how God continues to humble me and teach me to be poor in spirit and forgive.

Peter asks the Lord, how many times should I forgive … seventy times seven (or the equivalent of infinity) is the answer. Why does this make sense? Because while the fruits of unforgiveness (i.e. bitterness, vengeance, and malice) are a jail cell we lock ourselves into and allow the devil to beat us up day after day, in contrast, forgiveness lets us live in freedom with Jesus Christ! We are free to love, free to serve, free to reflect the light of his incredible goodness to a fallen world. So together, my friends, let us be a people defined by forgiveness!

Lord, thank you for your amazingly tenacious Spirit of Truth. You always convict and keep pursuing me to bring my heart around to your forgiveness and grace towards others. May forgiveness be a banner I wear, may I be defined by it. May it flow forth in my speech and actions.