My daughter loves The Amazing Spider-Man. She watches it on television in the morning while getting dressed for school. She can even stomach parts of the Spider-Man movies. For example, she likes Sandman but hates the Lizard. She enjoys Harry Osborn’s new goblin but not so sold on his father, the sinister Green Goblin. So when we came across Venom she was a bit on the fence. So, we talked about it.

Venom is a character that’s been consumed by ‘venom,’ a black sticky, icky mass that has the capacity to attach itself to people who are angry and vengeful. It’s constantly seeking a bitter and angry host. In the movie Spider-Man 3 Peter Parker (Spider-Man without the suit) finds out who killed his uncle and his anger rages. Hmmm, perfect opportunity for the venom to attach and it does. Once the venom attaches Peter Parker/Spider-Man’s personality changes. He is hipper, sassier, and wickedly more confident because venom gives him a surge of power and confidence that makes him feel alive. The only drawback is that this power is evil, menacing and controlling. And he finds out that it’s not so easy to free himself of this malevolent creature who desires to consume him.

So where’s the message? Well, I explained to Noah how extremely important it is to always forgive because if you don’t that anger is like a poison that takes root in your heart and has the potential of changing you in awful ways. When you harbor unforgiveness you become jealous, prideful, easily offended and bitter. Furthermore, it impedes spiritual growth and blocks our fellowship with GOD. All because of the poison in your heart that begins to control and consume your thoughts and behavior.

So may I ask you, my friend, is there anything or anyone you need to forgive? Or have you found justification for this anger? Has someone deeply offended or disappointed you? Perhaps you didn’t receive what you thought you deserved? Or maybe something you really wanted fell apart and now you’re upset? Whatever it is, forgive that situation. Forgive that person. Forgive yourself. The Bible says that you are to go and make peace with your brother and then come before GOD with your gifts (Matthew 5:24). Unforgiveness does nothing but harm and hinders the flow of GOD’s blessings, power, anointing and favor in your life. Further, that toxic poison has the propensity to negatively impact your relationships and skews your ability to enjoy and be grateful for what you do have. GOD desires for you to experience His fullness and that simply won’t happen until you surrender that anger, disappointment and pain to Him.

My friend, if you have been deeply offended, treated unjustly, angered or disappointed know that GOD is very well aware of the situation and with trust in Him we are not to pay back evil with evil (Romans 12:17). For He says that vengeance is His – not ours (Romans 12:19). The Bible also states that it’s okay to be angry but be careful not to sin in that anger or let it consume us (Ephesians 4:26 NLT). So are your ‘spidey senses’ telling you there’s someone or something you need to go before the Lord and forgive? Let the Holy Spirit lead you to surrender every person and every situation to Him. He is the only One that can prevent it from consuming you and remove the poison if it has taken root. And my friend I promise you – GOD is beyond ready and exceedingly willing. Humble yourself before Him and watch Him raise you up.

I hope this message blesses you. I see the Lord revealing to you all those situations that need forgiving and with your obedience the floodgates of His blessings, power and favor being opened up onto you. And I’m so very happy for you. I truly, truly am!