WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF FORGIVENESS -

"But he who hates his brother is in darkness and does not know
where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes."
1 John 1:11

This scripture certainly applies to a couple facing separation or
divorce. When someone has become so hardened in his heart towards
his spouse that he decides to walk away and end the relationship, he
is "hating" his brother or sister in Christ. The word "hate" here,
means to detest or despise. To despise simply means to think less
of. To leave one's family, one is definitely thinking less of them
than oneself. Obviously, that person is walking in darkness and
can't even see where they are going. That explains all the
irrational and sometimes crazy behaviors you may have seen in your
wayward spouses. They don't know what they are doing, because they
cannot see through the darkness in their lives. Unforgiveness is
what hardens hearts and causes them to stumble and make mistakes.
Choosing not to forgive means one is walking in darkness.

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love
the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer and you know that no
murderer has eternal life abiding in him." 1 John 3:14-15

This is strong! If you don't love, you are living in death or
corruption. If you hate (think less of) your brother (or sister),
you are a murderer and do not have eternal life in you! Wow. I
think God is trying to show us how vitally important it is to
love.

Refusing to release someone when they have sinned against you is not
walking in the love of God. If you continue to hold onto
unforgiveness, you will begin to stumble and the result will be
death of relationships, emotions, and eventually even physical
death. If you are reading this devotional, then you have already
begun to see these results in your own marriage. Examine your heart
to make sure you have forgiven and continue to forgive your spouse.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you any unforgiveness you may have in
your heart towards your spouse (or anyone else for that matter) and
then repent of it. Choose to forgive. To stand for your marriage,
your heart must be right and you must be able to see clearly.
Perhaps you have already done this...great! Keep doing it, because
people will always fail you and there is always an opportunity to
practice this. Perhaps your spouse is the one who is holding
unforgiveness in their heart and so they have been blinded. Ask the
Holy Spirit to reveal these scriptures to them and ask the Lord to
pour forgiveness into their hearts toward you. Pray that God will
show them that walking in the light means walking in the love of
God. Pray 1 John 4:16 over your spouse daily; "...may they know and
believe the love that you, Oh Lord, have for them...may they know
and experience your love and abide in you and you in them."

As they begin to truly experience the love that our Father has for
them, they will be set free from the darkness that has bound them!

Be encouraged,!
Amy, (And having done all to stand, still standing in Texas.)