Overcoming Unforgiveness

In Overcoming Unforgiveness, Michael E.B. Maher presents a biblical guide to understanding and practicing forgiveness. He begins by emphasizing that believers have been completely forgiven by God through Christ, and must extend that same forgiveness to others.

The book distinguishes forgiveness toward believers from forgiveness toward unbelievers. Believers are to forgive repentant brothers repeatedly, but may withhold forgiveness and fellowship from those who remain unrepentant after church discipline. Toward unbelievers, believers are to forgive unreservedly without requiring an apology, leaving vengeance to God.

Forgiveness is an act of the will, not dependent on emotions. It must be accompanied by forgetting—deliberately refusing to think about or mention the offence again, bringing thoughts into captivity to Christ.

Maher warns of severe consequences for unforgiveness: it keeps the believer’s own sins unforgiven, breaks fellowship with God, opens the door to demonic torment (anxiety, depression, disturbed sleep), and hinders faith, preventing prayers from being answered. Unforgiveness is a primary device Satan uses to gain advantage over believers, especially in marriages.

The book encourages walking in the spirit rather than the flesh, choosing to forgive by faith, and guarding against the trap of unforgiveness. It concludes with practical counsel for married couples and a salvation prayer.