The Cost of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the most difficult things God asks us to do—and one of the most powerful.

In Episode 5 of Season 2 of Keepers of the Light, Dylan Burcham tackles the challenging subject of forgiveness, bitterness, and the freedom that comes from releasing the hurts of the past.

Whether you’ve been wounded by betrayal, broken relationships, harsh words, disappointment, or even your own mistakes, this episode offers biblical truth and practical encouragement for anyone struggling to let go.

Through powerful illustrations, heartfelt teaching, and multiple references from the KJV Bible, listeners are reminded that forgiveness is not about excusing wrong actions—it’s about trusting God with the pain and refusing to let bitterness control the future.

🔥 Featured Scriptures include:

• Hebrews 12:15
• Romans 5:8
• Luke 23:34
• Romans 12:19
• Ephesians 4:32
• John 8:36

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why bitterness is so destructive
• What forgiveness truly means—and what it doesn’t
• How unforgiveness affects your spiritual life
• Why forgiving yourself can be just as important as forgiving others
• How God’s grace empowers us to release what we’ve been carrying

🎧 Listen now to “The Cost of Forgiveness” and take the first step toward healing, freedom, and peace through Christ.

Keepers of the Light is the official podcast of Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, hosted by Dylan Burcham.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:16

What's going on everybody, and welcome back to Keepers of the Light. This is the official podcast of Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church. As always, my name is Dylan Bircham, and I'm so excited that you chose to join me yet again. And today we're going to talk about something that every person will face. Not maybe, not someday, but every person at some point in your life, somebody is going to hurt you. Somebody will betray your trust. Somebody will say something they shouldn't have said. Somebody may walk away when they promise that they would stay. And in those moments, we stand at a crossroads. One road leads to bitterness, and the other leads to healing. And so today, if you would, I'd like to talk to you a little bit about an episode called The Cost of Forgiveness. Because forgiveness is one of the hardest things God will ever ask us to do, yet it may be one of the most important things to do in your lifetime. Let's be honest. Some wounds don't heal overnight. There are people right now that are listening to this episode, and you're carrying pain from years ago. Maybe it was a broken relationship or a betrayal, words spoken in anger, abandonment, disappointment. And maybe you have moved on physically, but emotionally, you're still carrying it day in and day out. And the problem is that unresolved hurt has a way of becoming bitterness in our lives. And bitterness does not stay contained, it always spreads. Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15 says, looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you. I want you to notice that Scripture calls bitterness a root, because roots grow underground before anyone sees them. And we've talked about that many times on this show. And by the time the fruit appears, the damage has already begun. But here's what makes forgiveness difficult it feels unfair. Because forgiveness often means releasing a debt that somebody else actually owes. They hurt you. They were wrong. They don't deserve forgiveness. And that's exactly why forgiveness is so powerful. Because forgiveness isn't about what they deserve, it's about what God did for us. Romans 5 and 8 says, But God commendeth his love toward us, and that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus didn't wait until we deserved mercy. He extended mercy anyway. So let's go to Calvary. Let's talk about that for a minute. Jesus has been mocked and beaten and rejected and crucified. Yet hanging on the cross, he says, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. I want you to think about that. The people that were causing his pain were the very people that he was praying for. I don't have to tell you that that's not human nature. That's divine love. And if we're going to follow Christ, we have to be like Christ. And that means eventually we have to confront this question. If Jesus could forgive those who crucified him, who am I refusing to forgive? So let's clear up some misconceptions today. Forgiveness is not pretending it didn't happen, forgiveness is not saying it was acceptable. Forgiveness is not trusting someone automatically and removing healthy boundaries. Forgiveness is simply releasing your right to revenge. Romans 12 and 19 says, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves. So that means you stop trying to be judge and you place the situation in God's hands. Someone once said that bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. So think about that. Unforgiveness only hurts the person that is carrying it. It steals your joy, it steals your peace, it steals your freedom. The same person you're angry at, they may never even know that you're angry. Yet you're the one suffering. And that's why forgiveness isn't just a gift to others, it's a gift to yourself. Now let's go a little bit deeper. Because some people aren't angry at someone else, they're angry at themselves. You replay your failures, your mistakes, your regrets, the things you wish you could undo. And maybe you've accepted God's forgiveness for everybody else, but you refuse to accept forgiveness for yourself. But I want you to hear me today. If God has forgiven you, stop arguing with his grace. First John 1 and 9 says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us. So don't let yesterday's mistakes become today's prison. Don't let them hinder your progress. Don't let them hold you back from what you're called to be. Imagine today what your life could look like without bitterness, without resentment, without carrying old wounds everywhere you go. That's the freedom that Christ offers us. Not because the past changes, but because you do when you forgive. John 8 and 36 says, Whom the Son therefore shall make free, he shall be free indeed. Freedom isn't forgetting, but freedom is no longer being controlled by what happened. This may be the most important question of today's episode. Who do you need to forgive? Maybe it's a family member, a friend, a church leader, a parent. Maybe it's your spouse or a former spouse, or maybe it's yourself. You don't have to pretend the wound wasn't real, but you do have to decide whether you're going to keep carrying it day in and day out. Let's pray together. Lord, today we bring you our hurts, the wounds we talk about and the wounds we don't. Help us to release bitterness. Help us to release resentment. Help us to release the desire for revenge. Because your word tells us to be kind one to another, to be tender-hearted and forgiving the same way that you forgave us. Lord, I ask you today for strength. Strength to forgive as you forgave. Even when it's difficult, even when it's painful, and help us walk in the freedom that only you can give. Lord, I ask you to do all these things in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you so much for joining me today for another episode of Keepers of the Light. If this episode spoke to your heart, don't just listen to this episode, but act on this episode. Forgive somebody today. Freedom may be one decision away. And so I want you to remember forgiveness does not change the past, but it can change your future. My name's Dylan Bircham. This has been Keepers of the Light, and until next time, keep the light burning.