Do you remember the phrase, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Do you agree with this phrase? Who spoke it? Let’s go back and look:

“Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” (Mark 2:6-7 ESV)

That phrase was the question in the hearts of the religious leaders, the scribes. In Matthew’s account, Jesus responds “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4b ESV)

On the one hand, they were denying the Godhood of Jesus Christ, who we know as THE Son of God, the second person of the trinity. But on the other hand, they were misrepresenting forgiveness.

Are We Able to Forgive Sins?

We totally have the ability to forgive sins! If we didn’t, why would Jesus teach us to pray, “and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us…” (Luke 11:4a ESV)

Forgiveness is fundamental to the Believer’s life. We *must* forgive! Any unforgiveness left in our lives gives the devil a foothold to cause damage and destruction against us. See this post for more info on that topic.

Jesus Has Something More to Say

When Jesus resurrected post the cross, He appeared to His disciples and breathed the breath of God upon them. Then He said these really interesting words:

“…Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (John 20:22b-23 ESV)

In this Word, Jesus is giving His Church the power to forgive sins. He is decreeing to you and to me: “If you declare anyone’s sins forgiven, they are forgiven. Because I have paid for every sin on the cross with My Blood, you can apply My Cleansing Blood to anyone’s sins and see them forgiven.”

Applying Forgiveness in Unique Ways

This spiritual principle has interesting applications. For example, if you are ministering to someone (because you are ALL ministers), and you perceive in your mind by the Holy Spirit that their bloodline iniquity is holding them back from really enjoying the promises of God, then you can declare all of the sins of their bloodline forgiven, past, present, and future. Yeah, you can do that! Jesus gave you the authority to do it.

Also, I’ve heard about this application. If you are interacting with a witch or a warlock, you can forgive the sins and iniquity of their bloodline, disconnecting them from the evil power flowing through that iniquity.

Is there someone who has a hold over your mind? Forgive them! Release them to God and declare their sins forgiven. Pray a blessing over them. This is one of my favorites in this case, a blessing of turning away from wickedness: “God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” (Acts 3:26 ESV)

How is this Possible?

If no one has ever shown you this concept, it may just blow your mind.

Do you remember when Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12)? Then He also said “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

He said, “I am the door” (John 10:9). And he calls you “gates” in Psalm 24:7,9.

Jesus is called the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36). And then He calls us His sheep (John 10:27).

Jesus is called the “Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). And we are called “bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).

Jesus is the Tree of Life (Revelation 22:14), and we are called “Oaks of Righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3).

Jesus is the “King of Kings” and our “Great High Priest” (Revelation 19:16, Hebrews 4:14), and we are called “kings and priests unto our God” (Revelation 1:6).

So we see this principle at work:

A revelation of Jesus Christ is also a revelation of you.

And that is why we have authority to forgive sins. Because Jesus forgives, so we also forgive.

Closing Prayer: Forgiveness and Inner Healing

Father I forgive (person who caused wound) for what they did (in situation) that caused the emotion of (emotion). I release my right to feel (emotion) caused by this situation. Jesus, I ask you to heal me, I release this to you and I plead the blood of Jesus over this event. I ask you to heal and restore the wound and hurt in my heart and soul caused by this situation. I receive your healing and thank you for healing me and restoring me to before this occurred.

In Jesus name I break all ungodly soul and spirit ties with (name of person) and I return to him/her all that is his/hers and take back from them all that is mine cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. I now command all unclean spirits that have now lost their legal rights to be in my life to leave my life now in the name of Jesus and to go where the True Lord Jesus sends you. Amen.