Welcome to the Paul Tripp podcast, where pastor and best-selling author Paul David Tripp connects

the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. On the first day of each month, we release

grace and knowledge, a more in-depth article from Paul that allows him to expand on biblical truths

beyond his weekly Wednesday's word. Our prayer is that this resource helps you grow in the

grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day

of eternity. Amen. 2. Peter 318. In this month's grace and knowledge, Paul exposes the false

allure of unforgiveness and calls us to remember the grace we've received in Christ so that we can

freely cancel others' debts through joyful, gospel-shaped forgiveness. Here's this month's grace and

knowledge.

Happy New Year.

In yesterday's Wednesday's word, I propose that there might not be a more essential New Year's resolution to make for 2026 than to cancel debts.

That's another way of saying, commit to forgiving one another.

Quote, let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,

along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God and Christ forgave you. Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love

as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Ephesians 431 through 5.2.

I will unpack the beauty and reward of forgiveness in the next four Wednesday's words of January,

but in today's grace and knowledge, I actually want to do the opposite.

I want to paint a picture of the beauty and reward of unforgiveness.

Hang in there with me. Of course, that's an unbiblical statement, but let's consider the temptation

to hold others in our debt and why it appears so beautiful and rewarding.

The beautiful power of relational debt. There's a short-term, relatively destructive power

...