Matthew 18:22-23 -Sweetness of Compassion

Step 1: Pray. Select.

As I sat down this morning before sunrise, God quickly brought back words that kept repeating in my head late last night. The words were seven times seventy.

I know this is Jesus’s answer to forgiving our brothers when Peter asks, "How many times must I forgive?" But what I didn’t realize is the scripture that follows, which is where the Holy Spirit wanted me to focus today.

Let's begin our journey in Matthew 18:22-23 today, friends.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Matthew 18:22-23 - Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• Jesus Said

• The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like A Certain King

• Who Wanted To Settle Accounts

Step 3: Re-Write

With a focus on the words that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart. Don't forget, if you are doing this alongside me today, make sure to add your name to your unique sentence:

• Jennifer, Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain King who wanted to settle accounts.

Step 4: Visualize

As I sit and meditate on the words in the scripture and my sentence for today, the Holy Spirit is showing me a new perspective on forgiveness.

It is not the number of times we are required to forgive, but rather a protection to ensure our hearts remain compassionate towards one another.

Compassion is like thick honey that runs off of us, seeps into our situation, and sticks to the person we are in conflict with. Forgiveness for someone wronging or hurting you is essential so that you can be free from the bondage of bitterness. We cannot control what others do to us, but we can empathize with what they have been through, what they lack, or where they may have come from, which causes them to offend or disrespect others.

This leads us to the critical portion of scripture: to settle accounts.

The Holy Spirit tells me to settle all accounts with the LORD. What someone does after you show them grace is entirely out of your control. Your business is with your Father and no one else. Settle your debts or deficiencies with your King, who will protect and set you free.

The Holy Spirit reminded me of another scripture since I feel uneasy about people who continue to hurt, so I am able to further surrender the situation to the LORD. Proverbs 20:22—Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.

Friends, settle your accounts with God. Plead forgiveness for others, as Jesus did on the cross, looking up, saying, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do. In this, you will not carry bitterness in your heart but rather the sweet taste of your Father’s compassion, not for others, but compassion for you, as he hears your cry and knows your pain.

A question arises: I don’t want people to walk on me or be a doormat, so I move to Step 5.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The question that came to mind is:

• Holy Spirit, how do I know when and when not to let something go?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Here is the answer I received:

"Check your spirit. Are you giving someone instructions or condemning them like your devourer? Remember, Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. So, if you are killing something with your own strength, poisoning the atmosphere with harsh words, or simply doing something to make your ego feel better, none of these things will bring life. They will only bring destruction. Think in the way of Colossians 3:5-8 - Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. This is your checklist; follow it well. Set your boundaries, allowing others to meet you where you desire to be loved, and do not create false idols. Walk in truth. Do not point a finger at the log in someone else’s eye. Examine your nature; are you earth or are you spirit? This is the debt Jesus paid to save us, the freedom to walk in spirit. Make sure you pull in full what you owe to the Father.”

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Heavenly Father, I come to you humbly in the mighty name of Jesus.

I am grateful for your wisdom on discerning when I may be acting upon flesh or acting with compassion. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sinful nature and for helping me understand that you will settle all things out of my control, and through that understanding, I will remain compassionate.

I will look up and plead forgiveness against my transgressors. If they continue to offend, I will set healthy boundaries to ask for love and kindness in my life. If they choose to repeat the offense, you will avenge me and fight them to protect me on my behalf.

I pray a hedge of protection over this prayer and seal it with the blood of Jesus - Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Remember to spread hope and share your miracle or testimony HERE. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Release your grievances with one another to the LORD.

Speak life and instruction versus death and destruction.

In all situations, wait on the LORD and settle your debts to him.

Jesus died for our sinful nature, so we must look to our Father to help us remain compassionate so we do not build idols of an earthly nature.

I pray you are all blessed and protected today! See you soon.