{"id":2887,"date":"2023-04-20T19:30:40","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T23:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/?p=2887"},"modified":"2024-06-02T13:31:37","modified_gmt":"2024-06-02T17:31:37","slug":"of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/forgiveness\/of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees\/","title":{"rendered":"Of Mustard Seeds and Mulberry Trees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" data-attachment-id=\"2888\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/forgiveness\/of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees\/attachment\/mulberry-tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?fit=2048%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1024\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048&amp;#215;1024-wide\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?fit=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?fit=1024%2C512&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?resize=1024%2C512&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?resize=1024%2C512&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?resize=768%2C384&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?resize=1536%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?resize=392%2C196&amp;ssl=1 392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Of Mustard Seeds and Mulberry Trees<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"#InevitableOffenses\" data-type=\"internal\">Inevitable Offenses<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#IncreaseOurFaith\" data-type=\"internal\">Increase Our Faith<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#Catch22\">Uh-Oh, It\u2019s a Catch-22!<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#ForgiveUs\">Forgive Us <em>AS<\/em> We Forgive<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#ThisGospel\">This is the Gospel!<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#MulberryTree\">Mulberry Tree Roots and Caskets<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#IdiotLights\">\u201cIdiot Lights\u201d on my Dashboard<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#BewareContagious\">Beware: It&#8217;s Contagious<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"#ReplantMulberryTree\">Replant that Mulberry Tree with a Mustard Seed<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"239\" height=\"300\" data-attachment-id=\"2934\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/forgiveness\/of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees\/attachment\/unfolding-gods-word_no-words-cropped-4\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?fit=1600%2C2005&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1600,2005\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?fit=239%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?fit=817%2C1024&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?resize=239%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2934\" style=\"width:120px;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?resize=239%2C300&amp;ssl=1 239w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?resize=817%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 817w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?resize=768%2C962&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?resize=1226%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1226w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?resize=160%2C200&amp;ssl=1 160w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Unfolding-Gods-Word_no-words-cropped.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 239px) 100vw, 239px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I love how God\u2019s Word unfolds and just keeps on unfolding. There is always something that takes new life as the Holy Spirit breathes upon it. We might become old and stale, but God&#8217;s living and abiding Word remains fresh and new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Psalm 119:130 (NASB)<br>The unfolding of Your Words gives light;<br>It gives understanding to the simple.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>In March of 2023, my daily Bible reading took me to Luke 17 where I was quite surprised when a unique connection between faith, forgiveness, mustard seeds, and mulberry trees unfolded for me in a way I have never seen before. Shortly thereafter, my wife shared this quote from the English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744): <strong><em>&#8220;To err is human, to forgive divine.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong> True forgiveness is definitely humanly unnatural for us, but I believe with what I discovered in Luke 17 about faith and forgiveness reveals just how &#8220;divine&#8221; forgiveness truly is! Let me explain\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"InevitableOffenses\"><strong>\u2022 Inevitable Offenses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus starts His teaching by declaring that it is inevitable that offenses will come:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Luke 17:1<br>Then He said to the disciples, \u201cIt is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, we can only imagine how these twelve disciples may have been misbehaving. Sleeping, waking, eating, and traveling together can bring out the worst in people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For twelve years, I did missionary work in many different places and with various groups of young adults. I wholeheartedly concur with Jesus: offenses are inevitable! In that ministry, we all knew we were called to serve one another in love. However, I can still fondly remember many apologies, confessions one to another, and even foot-washings as we learned to deal with offenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unsurprisingly, the Scriptures uncovers one of Jesus\u2019 disciples&#8217; ongoing arguments: which of them would be the greatest (see Mat 18:1; Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48; Luke 22:24-30). To the irritation of the other ten disciples, James and John even brought their mother into one of those discussions (Mat 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45)!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Jesus taught about offenses, I truly wonder which disciple Jesus may have been looking at when He said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Luke 17:4<br>And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, \u201cI repent,\u201d you shall forgive him.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>In Matthew 18, Peter must have remembered that Jesus instructed them to forgive up to <strong>seven <\/strong>times daily. Perhaps James or John (whom Jesus nicknamed the \u201csons of thunder\u201d) had already offended Peter <strong>eight<\/strong> times. I find it almost comical how Peter runs excitedly to Jesus to ask if he could stop forgiving that person (and perhaps use his fist to even things out).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 18:21<br>Then Peter came to Him and said, \u201cLord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>How disappointed Peter must have been when Jesus replied:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Mat 18:22<br>I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"IncreaseOurFaith\"><strong>\u2022 Increase Our Faith<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s return to Luke 17 and the discipleship training Jesus is giving on how to deal with offenses by forgiving others multiple times. Notice how all the disciples respond in unison:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Luke 17:5<br>And the apostles said to the Lord, <strong><em>\u201cIncrease our faith!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>The disciples were struck with the realization that they did not possess the ability to forgive the offenses of others that many times in one day. Their simple request for an increase in faith reveals a vital truth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><em>Faith and forgiveness are uniquely interlinked.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Faith and forgiveness often pop up together in Jesus\u2019 teachings (e.g., Mat 5:23-25; Mat 6:12-15; Mat 18:21-35; Mark 11:24-26; Luke 6:36-37; Luke 11:1-4; Luke 17:3-4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Mark 11:22-24, the most often-quoted verses about prayer and faith, Jesus declares the incredible power of prayer when faith is plugged in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Mark 11:22-24\nSo Jesus answered and said to them, \u201cHave faith in God.\nFor assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, \u2018Be removed and be cast into the sea,\u2019 and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.\nTherefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, as is our fallen human nature often causes us to do, we tend to overlook the following two verses where Jesus declares that God\u2019s forgiveness is contingent upon our forgiving others:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Mark 11:25-26<br>And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Catch22\"><strong>\u2022 Uh-Oh, It\u2019s a Catch<\/strong>-22!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Websters explains that a catch-22 is <em>&#8220;a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule.&#8221;<\/em> It also gives us a quote by Mary Murphy (actress) by way of illustration:  <em>&#8220;The show-business&nbsp;catch-22\u2014no work unless you have an agent, no agent unless you&#8217;ve worked.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So it turns out that the relationship between faith and forgiveness is what could be phrased as a &#8220;catch-22&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>(1) Unforgiveness hinders faith<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>\u2026and yet\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>(2) Faith is necessary to forgive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you see the problem? We need faith to forgive someone, and yet the very faith we need to forgive that person is crippled by our unforgiveness! What a predicament, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After telling Peter to forgive 490 times, Jesus continues His teaching by telling the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. This parable also reveals the connection between faith and forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 18:24-27<br>And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.<br>But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.<br>The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, \u201cMaster, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.\u201d<br>Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>What happens next is quite disturbing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 18:28-30<br>But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, \u201cPay me what you owe!\u201d<br>So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, \u201cHave patience with me, and I will pay you all.\u201d<br>And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Now to grasp the real message here, it helps to understand the difference between 100 denarii and 10,000 talents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1 denarius<\/strong> = one day\u2019s wages<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1 talent<\/strong> = 6,000 denarii = 20 years of daily wages (6-days\/week)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>10,000 talents<\/strong> = 60 million denarii = 200,000 years of daily wages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What the first servant owed his master would take 200,000 years to pay off. What his fellow servant owed would only take 100 days to pay off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No wonder the master was enraged to hear what that servant had done:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 18:32-34\nThen his master, after he had called him, said to him, \u201cYou wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.\nShould you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?\u201d\nAnd his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus summed up that parable with these words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 18:35<br>So My heavenly Father also <strong><em>will do to you<\/em><\/strong> if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>There is one detail that reveals a connection between faith and forgiveness. Pay attention to the servant\u2019s promise to his master:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 18:26<br>\u201cMaster, have patience with me, and <strong><em>I will pay you all<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>This servant literally has no idea of how big his debt truly is. He is so deceived that he promises to pay back this debt. 200,000 years of work? Impossible! Scripture clearly says, <strong><em>\u201c&#8230;but as he was not able to pay\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> In spite of how absurd this servant\u2019s promise was, the master was moved with compassion and forgave that debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now there is a connection between the servant\u2019s promise to repay \u201call\u201d and his wicked and unforgiving action toward his fellow servant who only owed 100 denarii. His lack of faith in his master\u2019s full forgiveness is what deprived his heart of the ability to forgive his fellow servants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can say, therefore, that an unforgiving attitude toward others is a warning sign that we are lacking <strong><em>faith<\/em><\/strong> in our Heavenly Father\u2019s forgiveness. Faith and forgiveness are interlinked!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ForgiveUs\"><strong>\u2022 Forgive Us <em>AS<\/em> We Forgive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When teaching and giving His disciples an example of prayer, Jesus adds this statement:.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 6:12 (Luke 11:4)\nAnd forgive us our debts,\n<strong><em>As<\/em><\/strong> we forgive our debtors.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>See how Jesus uses <strong><em>\u201cas\u201d<\/em><\/strong> instead of <strong><em>\u201cbecause.\u201d<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp; \u201cForgive us <em>because<\/em> we forgive others\u201d would wrongly imply that God owes it to forgive us <em>because<\/em> of some works we are doing (forgiving others). This can never be! God owes us nothing! He forgives us <em>only because<\/em> Christ fully paid our debt. By using \u201cas,\u201d Jesus indicates that God\u2019s free gift of forgiveness can only cover us <strong><em>as<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 or to the degree that \u2013 we forgive others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At first glance, this next passage probably seems overly harsh:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 6:14-15<br>For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.<br>But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>However, these verses only appear harsh because we misunderstand how faith and forgiveness are connected. They have nothing to do with God the Father being unable to forgive our sins of unforgiveness. He can definitely forgive us and cleanse us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth revealed here is that God\u2019s forgiveness can only be received based on our faith and trust that Jesus died and rose again to provide forgiveness of our entire debt. Consequently, when our heart harbors unforgiveness and bitterness toward others, it is the same as holding up a sign that proclaims:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>&nbsp;\u201cI do NOT believe in God\u2019s full forgiveness. I can pay my whole debt by myself.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But if we do that, we miss the whole point of the Gospel!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ThisGospel\"><strong>\u2022 This is the Gospel!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me share an experience I had that helped me to better comprehend the Gospel and God\u2019s wonderful forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was 1984, and I was pastoring a church in Toronto, Canada. One day I had the opportunity to share the Gospel in an auto repair shop with a group of men who were Hindus. I told them that Christianity is different from all other religions. I explained that in Christianity, God does not start His relationship with us by asking us to fulfill a list of good works. Rather, He enters that relationship with us by first forgiving us. The very moment I mentioned God\u2019s forgiveness, they quickly retorted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHow can the Christian God be fair and righteous if He forgives people\u2019s sins? What judge would be fair and just if he simply chose to forgive the criminal? In Hinduism, there is fairness because each of us must pay for our own sins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These Hindu men were absolutely right. It would be entirely unfair for God to just forgive people. I did not know how to answer. For a brief, uncomfortable moment, I stood there stunned,&nbsp; but silently praying. Suddenly, the Spirit dropped two clear revelations of the Gospel into my spirit. I told them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cIn your religion of Hinduism, sin must not be very serious if you can pay for your own sin. In the message of Christianity, God is very righteous, and He hates sin. In fact, God clearly declares that it is so grievous that He sets the punishment for sin as eternal separation in a place of torment called hell.\u201d<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cGod is kind and merciful. God IS love! But, He does NOT forgive us merely because of kindness and pity. No way! He is an extremely fair and just judge. He is far more fair and righteous than any earthly judge!\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Then I segued into sharing the Gospel with them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGod so loved the world that He gave His only Son, Jesus! God CAN forgive us because Jesus came to earth and lived a life free from sin so He could die on the Cross in our place to PAY OUR ENTIRE DEBT!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those men did not receive Christ that day, but they certainly had no more arguments! For the first time, they understood that Christianity is NOT just another religion with its own set of rules and lists of good works. Christianity starts with forgiveness because we have a wonderful Savior who gave His life for us. Hallelujah!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus paid our debt which is FAR, FAR MORE than 200,000 years of work! Each of us owed an eternal debt! God can ONLY forgive us and still remain a righteous judge BECAUSE He sent His own Son to pay a debt for sin that we could never pay! This is forgiveness and freedom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, Christianity starts with forgiveness! This is the Gospel \u2013 the most amazing Good News ever!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"MulberryTree\"><strong>\u2022 Mulberry Tree Roots and Caskets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s return to Luke 17. As I read this passage recently, I noticed for the first time that the word \u201cso\u201d is used to connect verse six to the previous five verses of Jesus\u2019 teaching on offenses and forgiveness:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Luke 17:6<br><strong><em>SO<\/em><\/strong> the Lord said, \u201cIf you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to <strong><em>this<\/em> mulberry tree<\/strong>, \u2018Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,\u2019 and it would obey you.\u201d&nbsp;<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>I also saw that by using the word \u201cthis,\u201d Jesus must have been pointing out a specific mulberry tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was definitely no accident that Jesus and His disciples were near a mulberry tree! The Spirit led Him there so He could use this tree as an illustration for His teaching. I could tell that the Holy Spirit was about to unfold something fresh to me so I decided to do some research on the mulberry tree. The following two facts opened my eyes to behold more treasure in God\u2019s Word:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" data-attachment-id=\"2889\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/forgiveness\/of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees\/attachment\/mulberry-tree_roots-1_179689898_m_2048px\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?fit=2048%2C1434&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1434\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?fit=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?fit=1024%2C717&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?resize=300%2C210&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2889\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?resize=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?resize=1024%2C717&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?resize=768%2C538&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?resize=1536%2C1076&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?resize=286%2C200&amp;ssl=1 286w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_ROOTS-1_179689898_m_2048px.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A mulberry tree has extensive and twisted root systems, which, apart from a miracle, makes it absurdly impossible to uproot. Furthermore, a mulberry tree\u2019s strong roots stretch far down to tap into deep water sources. For that reason, simply cutting the tree down was not a guarantee that the tree would not resurface again. A mulberry tree is tough to eradicate.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the Middle East, the mulberry tree was the preferred wood for building caskets for two reasons. <strong>(a)<\/strong> This tree could grow quickly and virtually anywhere, making its wood accessible. <strong>(b)<\/strong> It is a hardwood tree that is durable and difficult for insects to penetrate, making it the perfect choice for something being buried underground.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><em><strong>Persistent roots and hardwood caskets\u2026 Hmm\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-attachment-id=\"2916\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/forgiveness\/of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees\/attachment\/mulberrytree_sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?fit=2508%2C1672&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2508,1672\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/MulberryTree_Sprouting_73490125_l_normal_none-1.jpg?w=2120&amp;ssl=1 2120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Interesting connection, right? I could see it for the first time! Jesus used the mulberry tree to represent the unforgiveness and bitterness that come from offenses. Consider these comparisons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Persistent Roots<\/strong><br>Like a mulberry tree, unforgiveness can grow anywhere. It digs its roots deeply. Stopping its growth is difficult. Merely lopping off a few of its branches or even chopping it down to the ground is entirely insufficient to rid one\u2019s soul of unforgiveness and bitterness. The only method to eliminate it is by starting with the roots just as Jesus <br>instructed: Say to this mulberry tree, \u201cBe <strong><em>uprooted<\/em><\/strong> and planted in the sea\u2026\u201d  (Luke 17:6).<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Caskets<\/strong><br>To the devil\u2019s delight, the \u201cmulberry tree\u201d of unforgiveness has become the \u201ccasket\u201d for far too many poor souls. It has been clinically proven that harboring unforgiveness toward people produces bitterness and deep-seated, twisted personality complexes, and is a breeding ground for long-term physical illnesses. An unforgiving heart is a hard and impenetrable heart \u2013 where faith in Christ cannot exist.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"IdiotLights\"><strong>\u2022 \u201cIdiot Lights\u201d on My Dashboard<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"132\" data-attachment-id=\"2890\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/forgiveness\/of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees\/attachment\/car-dashboard-icons\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?fit=1920%2C845&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1920,845\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D750&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Car dashboard icons close-up. Error vehicle signs&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1502895765&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;105&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Car dashboard icons&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Car dashboard icons\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Car dashboard icons close-up. Error vehicle signs&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?fit=300%2C132&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?fit=1024%2C451&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?resize=300%2C132&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2890\" style=\"width:225px;height:99px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?resize=300%2C132&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?resize=1024%2C451&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?resize=768%2C338&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?resize=1536%2C676&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?resize=392%2C173&amp;ssl=1 392w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Car-Idiot-Lights_84159331_1920px.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Have you ever seen the red warning lights on your car\u2019s dashboard? They are rightly called \u201cidiot lights\u201d \u2013 if we do not take action and make necessary repairs, we may end up the \u201cidiot\u201d! (Please pardon my use of this strong word, but this is how I view it myself when I have recognized the fruit of unforgiveness in my own life!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider the following checklist of \u201cidiot lights\u201d which serve to alert us of any unforgiveness in our heart:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>anger<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>harsh words<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>grudges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>impatience with others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>attitudes about someone\u2019s attitude<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>annoyed easily<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>frustration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ungratefulness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>complaining and griping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cynicism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>hatred<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>belittling people<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>criticizing others constantly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>gossiping<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This checklist only covers a few of the many alerts. The key here is that each of these alerts is triggered by unforgiveness. At first, they may be directed specifically toward the person whom we have not forgiven. However, as unforgiveness thrusts its roots of bitterness deeper within, it begins to transform into one&#8217;s very character and it manifests itself toward everyone around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, these outgrowths of unforgiveness have proven to be generational. Here is an example: A young man&#8217;s childhood was riddled with unforgiveness and hatred toward his father who was an alcoholic. Although he vowed to himself a million times that he would never be like his father, he actually ends up becoming an addict of substance abuse just like his father.  Frightening, but true and much more common than one would think!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unforgiveness removes the precious covering of God&#8217;s mercy and favor, leaving us totally susceptible to the wiles of the enemy! Paul warned the Corinthians about this very thing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (Amplified Bible)\nIf you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive [that one]; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of [and with the approval of] Christ, <strong>to keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.<\/strong><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Now herein is a wonderful truth: We are given the &#8220;keys of the Kingdom&#8221; and we can claim these words of Jesus:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Matthew 16:19<br>And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, and whatever you <strong>BIND<\/strong> on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you <strong>LOOSE<\/strong> on earth will be loosed in heaven.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>When we proclaim our forgiveness for someone (out loud, so Satan can hear it!), something begins to happen in Heavenly places. We are <strong><em>&#8220;binding&#8221;<\/em><\/strong> Satanic forces and foiling his evil &#8220;schemes.&#8221; At the same time, we are<strong><em> &#8220;losing&#8221;<\/em><\/strong> mighty forces from God&#8217;s throne to work in that person&#8217;s life. That&#8217;s amazing, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is an awesome example of this in the early church. Stephen was the first Christian martyr, but notice what Acts points out about those who were behind Stephen&#8217;s death:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Acts 8:1-3<br><strong>Now Saul was consenting to his death.<\/strong><br>At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.<br>And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.<br>As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>However, just before he died, look what Stephen spoke out audibly about those who murdered him:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Acts 7:59-60<br>And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, \u201cLord Jesus, receive my spirit.\u201d<br>Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, <strong>\u201cLord, do not charge them with this sin.\u201d<\/strong> And when he had said this, he fell asleep.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>With those words, Stephen proclaimed forgiveness. And what happened? Satan&#8217;s schemes were bound, and God&#8217;s Kingdom forces were loosed! The evidence for this is that two chapters later, Saul, the man behind these fierce persecutions, was met by Jesus Christ, and he became Paul the Apostle! Hallelujah!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s not be ignorant of Satan&#8217;s schemes! Forgiving others and doing it audibly is absolutely essential, both for our sake and for the other person&#8217;s sake. For this reason, Paul warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit by holding unforgiveness in our hearts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Ephesians 4:30-32<br>And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.<br>Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.<br>And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, <strong>forgiving one another<\/strong>, even as God in Christ forgave you.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"BewareContagious\"><strong>\u2022 Beware: It\u2019s Contagious<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cmulberry tree\u201d of unforgiveness and bitterness presents us with yet another serious problem. The Word gives us this sobering admonition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Hebrews 12:14-15 (NASB)<br>Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.<br>See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; <strong><em>that no root of bitterness<\/em><\/strong> springing up causes trouble, <strong><em>and by it many be defiled<\/em><\/strong>.<\/pre>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-attachment-id=\"2914\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/forgiveness\/of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees\/attachment\/mulberry-tree-roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?fit=2508%2C1672&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2508,1672\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?resize=300%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2914\" style=\"width:225px;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree-Roots-underground_179689898_l_normal_none.jpg?w=2120&amp;ssl=1 2120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Unforgiveness and bitterness will ultimately end up contaminating others. Unforgiveness is a bitter, seething, septic sickness that is impossible to be kept bottled up inside. To release that build-up of inner pressure, they will seek to vomit it out upon anyone with a listening ear. As a contagious disease, it will defile the listener. Hebrews\u2019 exhortation is a warning not only for the embittered soul but also for those who would be careless enough to give ear to another\u2019s bitterness. Gossiping is an &#8220;idiot light&#8221; on our dashboard, but another &#8220;idiot light&#8221; should also start blinking its warning at us the very moment our ears begin to hear gossip from others. The Scriptures give many warnings about gossip:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Exodus 20:16 (NKJV)\nYou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Leviticus 19:16-18 (NLT)\nDo not spread slanderous gossip among your people...\nDo not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Proverbs 17:4 (NKJV)\nAn evildoer gives heed to false lips;\nA liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Proverbs 17:4 (TPT)\nThose eager to embrace evil listen to slander,\nfor a liar loves to listen to lies.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Proverbs 18:8 (TPT)\nThe words of a gossip merely reveal the wounds of his own soul,\nand his slander penetrates into the innermost being.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Proverbs 20:19 (NLT)<br>A gossip goes around telling secrets,<br>so don\u2019t hang around with chatterers.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Proverbs 25:23 (KJV)\nThe north wind driveth away rain:\nso doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.\n<em>[In other words, if you hear someone start to gossip, quickly make an angry face at them!]<\/em><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Unforgiveness withers faith and results in falling short of God\u2019s grace and hurting many others. An unrepentant, unforgiving person will be held eternally accountable for defiling others with their words of bitterness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There exists, therefore, this frightening, downward-spiraling whirlpool that can be next to impossible to escape\u2026 unless we use what Jesus called the \u201cmustard seed\u201d of faith\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ReplantMulberryTree\"><strong>\u2022 Replant that Mulberry Tree with a Mustard Seed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" data-attachment-id=\"2891\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/forgiveness\/of-mustard-seeds-and-mulberry-trees\/attachment\/mustard-seeds_black_184554444_m_2048px\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?fit=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1365\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?resize=300%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2891\" style=\"width:225px;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mustard-Seeds_Black_184554444_m_2048px.jpg?w=2048&amp;ssl=1 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The catch-22 of faith and forgiveness is solved down at the Cross where God\u2019s forgiveness never ceases to flow! Receiving forgiveness and cleansing by the Blood of Jesus activates the faith that enables us to forgive. A quick trip to the Cross is where fresh \u201cmustard seeds\u201d of faith are available!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Luke 17:6<br>So the Lord said, \u201cIf you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, \u2018Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,\u2019 and it would obey you.\u201d<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>If any of those \u201cidiot lights\u201d are showing up on the dashboard of your behavior, we only need to come back down to the foot of the Cross in repentance. At Jesus\u2019 feet, God\u2019s forgiveness has been freely flowing for all eternity! Jesus, the <em>\u201clamb who takes away the sin of the world\u201d (John 1:29)<\/em>, is the Lamb <em>\u201cslain before the foundation of the world\u201d (Rev 13:8)<\/em> as Peter also proclaims:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">1 Peter 1:18-21\nKnowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,\nBut with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.\nHe indeed was <strong><em>foreordained before the foundation of the world<\/em><\/strong>, but was manifest in these last times for you\nWho through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>As we remember the costly debt Christ paid for us, our faith in His forgiveness will enable us to quickly forgive. The moment any \u201cidiot light\u201d shows up on our dashboard, we must confess even the smallest unforgiveness as the ugly sin that it is. Bringing it all out to the light \u201cas He is in the light\u201d makes cleansing in Jesus\u2019 precious Blood abundantly available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">1 John 1:7,9\nBut if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.\nIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, it is vital that we confess our forgiveness for others before the Lord, identifying that person by name:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-text-align-left has-background has-normal-font-size\" style=\"background:radial-gradient(rgb(254,254,254) 1%,rgba(199,203,217,0.63) 100%)\"><blockquote><p>\u201cDear Father, I confess my I choice to fully forgive [<em>person\u2019s name<\/em>]. My forgiveness is not based upon anything I might expect them to do. As You have FREELY loved and forgiven me, I choose to FREELY love and forgive [<em>person\u2019s name<\/em>].\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once we have confessed our sin of unforgiveness, believed on Jesus Christ for forgiveness and cleansing, and also confessed our decision to forgive others, Jesus reaches down in His fathomless forgiveness to pull us up from that wicked whirlpool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, as we are cleansed, we can use that \u201cmustard seed\u201d faith to speak to that \u201cmulberry tree.\u201d And it will obey! It will be uprooted (which might be painful for us!), and then it will replant itself in the same sea where God has already cast all our sins:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">Micah 7:18-19<br>Who is a God like You,<br>Pardoning iniquity<br>And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?<br>He does not retain His anger forever,<br>Because He delights in mercy.<br>He will again have compassion on us,<br>And will subdue our iniquities.<br>You will cast all our sins<br>Into the depths of the sea.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Once in that \u201cSea of Forgetfulness,\u201d we can put up our official \u201cNo Fishing\u201d sign right next to the same sign God put up when He forgave us through His Son, Jesus! Practicing immediate forgiveness on a daily basis will grow forgiveness into a key character of our new divine nature in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-text-align-left has-background\" style=\"background:radial-gradient(rgb(255,255,255) 0%,rgba(204,204,222,0.65) 94%)\"><blockquote><p>Heavenly Father, Your salvation is so rich and wonderful and Your forgiveness is amazing. Thank You for sending Jesus to pay my debt \u2013 an eternal debt of sin that I could never, ever repay. Jesus, You took my place upon the Cross. I have put my faith and trust fully in You and Your finished work on the Cross. You are the Lover of my soul, and I am in a wonderful, eternal debt of love to You!<br><br>O Holy Spirit, You are my Helper, my sweet Comforter. I never want to grieve You by being a foolish servant who cannot forgive others of their 100 denarii when I have been forgiven of my 10,000 talent debt! Oh, please help me to daily live in this wonderful forgiveness and to work it out toward others.<br><br>Dear Spirit of God, if any \u201cmulberry tree\u201d begins to sink even the tiniest root within me, please reveal it to me, grant me repentance, and quickly draw me back to the Cross of Jesus where I can be cleansed and receive a fresh \u201cmustard seed\u201d of faith in God\u2019s forgiveness to say even as Jesus told us: \u201cO mulberry tree, listen up! Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea of God\u2019s forgetfulness!\u201d<br><br>In Jesus&#8217; Name. Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What Jesus said is still true today. Understanding this truth about forgiveness can set us free to be &#8220;free indeed&#8221;:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">John 8:32,36<br>And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.<br>Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"848\" height=\"565\" data-attachment-id=\"2685\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/devotional\/pauls-life-verses\/attachment\/50272504_s-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/50272504_s.jpg?fit=848%2C565&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"848,565\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"50272504_s\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/50272504_s.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/50272504_s.jpg?fit=848%2C565&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/50272504_s.jpg?resize=848%2C565&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2685\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/50272504_s.jpg?w=848&amp;ssl=1 848w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/50272504_s.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/50272504_s.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 848px) 100vw, 848px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Of Mustard Seeds and Mulberry Trees I love how God\u2019s Word unfolds and just keeps on unfolding. There is always something that takes new life &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[582],"tags":[585,83,584,583,574,101,589,587,588,586],"class_list":["post-2887","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-forgiveness","tag-bitterness","tag-faith","tag-forgive","tag-forgiveness","tag-forgiveness-of-sins","tag-gospel","tag-gossip","tag-mulberry-tree","tag-mustard-seeds","tag-unforgiveness"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Mulberry-Tree_131124957_m-2048x1024-wide.jpg?fit=2048%2C1024&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa8ofw-Kz","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2887"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2887\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3275,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2887\/revisions\/3275"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2888"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}