As promised in my last blog, “How to Leave it at the Cross,” today we’re going to look at a threefold cord and how to break it.
Three/Threefold Cord
The number three is found hundreds of times throughout the scriptures: Noah had three sons —Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and the three patriarchs of Israel were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In Genesis, Joseph interprets the cupbearer’s dream of three grapevines, which restored the cupbearer to his position in three days.
In the New Testament, Jesus has three wise men looking for him who bring him three gifts: Frankincense, gold, and myrrh. When Jesus was 12, his parents lost him for three days in the temple. He was crucified at the 3rd hour, and darkness came over the land for three hours—and of course Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 states: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”
While this is discussing physical men, the number three is significant in the Bible, often symbolizing completeness and spiritual perfection. How does that apply to a spiritual threefold cord? Whatever God can do, the enemy will try to do the opposite.
Threefold Cord of Unforgiveness
In my last blog, How to Leave It at the Cross, I talked about unforgiveness. I believe it is something we all carry.
Unforgiveness rarely shows up by itself. You will find it entangled with bitterness and anger. Think about it. If someone has wronged you, your first reaction is anger, not unforgiveness or bitterness. The longer you stew about the situation, the more bitter you will become. That will lead to unforgiveness. Leaving unforgiveness at the cross alone may not make you feel better.
If you have repented for holding unforgiveness toward someone but still don’t feel any better, it is likely because two other issues are at work: bitterness and anger. So when you find yourself with a lot of anger towards someone, be sure to repent and break all three of them.
While you’re at it, ask the Lord to remove it from your physical heart as well as spiritual heart. The spiritual and physical are often connected.
Getting Started
You will probably need some revelation for these things. Sometimes we absolutely know we can’t stand a person; other times, it’s far more subtle. We may not feel like we’re holding unforgiveness against someone when, in fact, we are. That is where you are going to have to let the Lord lead you.
Until next time under the palm, be blessed!
