Bad News: Whose Report would you believe ?

"Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters.
 But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God".

1Samuel 30:6 (NKJV)

News could be true or false, good , exciting and encouraging or could be bad, sad and shocking news.

In order for news to qualify as useful and fit for purpose, it must contain fresh and up to date information which are relevant and valuable to the news readers , viewers and listeners.

Stale news is unexciting because it is news without the surprise factor . Being stale , it loses its impact  and as such stale news is received with indifference and is regarded as "old hat !"

Information or news whether good or bad ones,could be transmitted into human minds via print, electronic, psychological and spiritual means.

Daily , there is more of bad news than good news being reported in the print and electronic media not because there are no good news to report , but because no news sells better  and faster than bad news.

  Every day, the various News media broadcast  true reports of horrendous events , unusual crimes detailing depraved human behaviour and countless news reports of horrific events and various disasters ; both natural and man-made ones, which would shock and sadden normal human beings.

Bad news could be made up of false or true reports.

 It is often said that people should not believe everything heard, seen or read in the news media or in the  local grape vine ( gossip network).

However , some people love  to read the "juicy" bad news  and gossips about the affairs of their fellow men.  

Indeed there have been  some sensational "breaking news" and " hot news"  which were shocking scandals ,  gossips or sensational and attention- grabbing headlines, but even as such , they turned out  to be factual reports  and  true stories.

The greater the personalities involved in the scandals , the juicier the "breaking news" for public entertainment which generates more profits for the media houses.

Some media houses do not even bother  to confirm the veracity and accuracy of  their news before writing or broadcasting news reports about sensational  events and about famous people .

This brand of journalism has resulted in litigation for compensation against some media houses  resulting in payment of huge legal fines by them , in addition to loss of news credibility for their news organisation .

 

Good news or bad news could make or mar a person's day and entire life.

Sapping and demoralizing are the effects of hearing bad news ; therefore everybody hopes and prays not to be the topic of bad news or to receive bad news whether such bad news are true or false bad news about  themselves , their dear ones, their jobs , nations , cities or communities.
Bad news weighs down the soul ; evil reports hit one with the force of a speed train, knocking one completely off course.

Some bad news would stir up a lot of depression, anger, hate, sorrow and discouragement, in human lives even for a very long period of time.

 

There are persons who have been tagged "Bad News " because the presence of such persons is not welcome and their words lack credibility.

Their first name is "Bad News" not because they are notorious for reporting bad news , but  because they have a track record of leaving behind them their  trade marks of unforgettable and bitter memories for  persons who have had  the misfortune of having encounters with such "Bad News" persons.

Satan , his demonic spirits and demonic human agents generate  and transmit "Bad News".

These evil beings are the creators , the authors and senders of bad news beamed into human lives to destabilise and destroy them.

They set out to destroy peoples' belief in God and to make people forget who they are in God.

Satanic agents would never tell you and the world good news about you. They would deliberately ignore and refuse to report all that is good and beautiful news concerning you, but they are always eager and quick to report bad news to spread negative reports about their targets of hate . 

The dark cloud of bad news could be so intense that one would be incredulous about ever seeing any light in that very gloomy situation .

Even so ,in the face of bad news, whose report would you believe?
                                   

Truly,  for every dark cloud , there is a silver lining .

The hearer of bad news could survive its impact depending on his/ her reactions to the bad news.

Sometimes, our best wishes and good intentions could fail to prevent the occurrence or arrival of bad news.

 But our reactions to all bad news would determine  our survival of the evil impact of such news .

The bad news about the defeat of Israel in battle , the death of his sons and the capture of the Ark of God was very devastating news to Eli and his family.

1 Samuel 4:10- 22.

In moments of receiving Bad News ,what would be your reactions ?hose report would you believe?

Would you believe the very ugly and very bad news reports or would you believe the Truth about  your situations which is being eclipsed by bad news?
One could hear  very bad news but could refuse to be affected by it when one is filled with the  knowledge of the Truth about one's situations.

The truth is that we have the peaceful assurance from Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace that we have overcome every unpleasant event and distressing news and always, we shall overcome them  all.

" These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,  I have overcome the world.” John 16 : 33

 When confronted with the challenges of bad news,

the choice is clear : reject and refuse to be floored by the bad news received , or accept  it and be destabilised by it.

Whichever option is chosen would have attendant consequences , either good or bad on the lives of people.

 " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things ".  
Philippians 4:8. King James Version (KJV)

 In the face of the bad news of defeat , great loss and sorrow , when David returned home to see his camp ransacked and all his loved ones abducted and carried away by his enemies , he was faced with a great dilemma  and with a number of choices , some not  too pleasant  to contemplate.

But in contrast to the reactions of Eli the High Priest and his daughter in law , David did not allow the bad news which he received to destroy him.

Even in the face of the destruction of his camp and the cries of  despair from all the people around him , David encouraged himself in the Lord his God because he knew the truth about the God he was serving .

1 Samuel 30:1-20.

David pursued , overtook and destroyed his enemies and he and his men recovered everyone and everything they had lost . 

Like David did , in the face of bad news and very grave challenges , we will believe the report of the Lord and ACT on the report of the Lord .

Never be grounded by bad news , but believe the report of the Lord and receive abundant grace to pursue  and possess the Truth concerning all your situations .
 Amen.

 

The Circle of Ingratitude

"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth!

For the Lord has spoken:

“I have nourished and brought up children,

And they have rebelled against Me;" Isaiah 1:2.

"Hath God said..."( Genesis 3:1) is the seed of rebellion planted by the enemy in the minds of people.
This seed produces the fruit of rebellion and ingratitude towards God.

 Right from the beginning  of human existence, the rebellious souls have been quick to accuse God and to question God's mercy and goodness.

Adam : " Dear God,  Why did you give me  this woman?" True , I was alone  but definitely , I was not lonely. 
Do You see the  upheavals and chaos Eve has caused  now?

Eve :"Dear God,  it wasn't me ! Someone  created  this wicked  being called the Devil .  That someone was not me . 
Instead of locking Satan up and throwing away the key , why was he allowed  to roam about freely , even to enter inside our beautiful  garden ?!

 And by the way, what was the tempting, delicious  fruit  doing on the Tree ? "

How easily and how quickly human beings choose to forget the goodness and mercies of  God!
The children of Israel  went on a futile journey to the Promised Land , going round and round , back and forward and then back to their starting point ; they roamed in a pathetic circle for 40 years in the wilderness ,because they rebelled against   their God.

One would expect people who had witnessed first-hand miracles and the awesome deliverance of Jehovah ; to appreciate the difference between Heaven-sent manna  and quails and the flesh pots of Egypt !

"And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Exodus 16:3.

Rebellion in the face of challenges is vintage Homo Sapient  behaviour.

Even today FOOD and the search for it is big "politics" with some people.

At the slightest sign of  challenges and obstacles , ungrateful souls are very quick  to rebel , to jump ship , abandon God and go seeking  for help from all kinds of gods.

Accusations of incompetence  flow from the lips of the ungrateful soul who in the thick of life's afflictions chose to forget that the same God who delivered yesterday  has not changed .

He is the same , yesterday , even today and tomorrow.

"Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?" Exodus 14:11.

^" For they said to me, ‘Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." Exodus 32: 23.

One has to first  recognise  the mercy of God , before  being able  to appreciate the joy of  being alive;  healthy and bubbling with zeal and zest .

MInds filled with  gratitude would give praise and thanksgiving  to God. 

Rebellion warps the human mind and clouds the reasoning faculties.                                 

Eyes blinded by grief and hearts numbed by pain and disappointments cannot  see  anything good and cannot  meditate on the mercy of God .
Ingratitude  causes  an unending circle of woe .
‘Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter “What are you making?
”Does your work say,   “The potter has no hands”? Isaiah 45:9 ( NIV )
Life for such persons is one continuous self-defeatist  cycle of  Ingratitude which begins with  Bitterness then unto  Rebellion - Blasphemy - Sin - Sorrow - Despair- Defeat ; and then back to more bitterness and  the circle goes on and on. 
As it was in the  past , so it is  today. 
Instead of appreciating the mercy of God , millions of rebellious people are blaming God for every evil under the sun.
Some  people speak out rebellious words ;but others keep their  rebellious questions inaudible ;harboured and hidden in the secret recesses of  their minds .

Questions are seething even in the minds of those who have had close fellowship with God and have tasted of the goodness of the Lord,
It is not unusual  to hear questions like these from  some people ;

"  Lies travel faster than the truth. Why?"

" Why did God create this world when He knew that things would become very bad and that  humans  would become very wicked , to this extent? "

"Why do wicked people  escape justice and innocent people suffer unjustly?

Why do the  unrighteous rich continue to  get richer and to live long  ?

Who allowed  tsunamis, tornadoes, fires , earthquakes , famines, pestilence and epidemics to take place? Where was God when thousands of people were killed?"

" Why did God allow  the apostle of Satan and founder of the evil religion which spreads hate , murder and chaos worldwide,  to be born into this world. Why didn't he and his present day disciples die in their mothers' wombs?!"

" Why do people who do not attend church or pay any tithes and offerings , get  financial miracles and the best jobs in the country?!"
"This world is not our home ; we belong to a higher realm ? Then why are we living here? "

" Why did a minister of God who was on an inter-city preaching mission die in a horrific plane crash; but the lives of many evil people in that same ill-fated aircraft  were spared?" 

"Why are people who do not desire children ; couples who have aborted several
pregnancies  blessed with repeated unwanted pregnancies ; but childless married couples who have been waiting on the Lord for many years ; are yet to be blessed  with even one child?"

"Why are millions of  people starving  and lacking the good things of life , on the same planet  Earth where others  have more of everything than they need and so  they waste tonnes  of food and  waste millions of cash on unnecessary  luxuries ?

"Why does excess rain fall , flooding those  countries where too much rain is not needed  , yet the areas of the world where millions of peasant farmers are struggling to survive get no rain for years on end ? "

The pit of Hell is the place from where all  rebellious  words issue from.

The Devil  is a liar and is the father of all liars and he is the source of  all  accusations against God. 

 Ignorance of who God is , is  the  fuel which  cooks  the anger and bitterness  against God .

The "beauty" of rebellion and ingratitude against God is that these two evils are unfailing paymasters , yielding well-deserved dividends. 
Those who ridicule and question the mercy and wisdom of God would one day, ultimately, remember God and acknowledge His mercy. 

There are two ways to it.

People would appreciate God's mercy either by the easy way of accepting the salvation of God or by the hard way of receiving the rod of affliction from the Devil ; which would make them to repent and embrace the merciful  God who has loved all men unconditionally.

Asking  "Why , why , why"? does not change the nature of God . 

My take on  all such questions  is :if rebellious human beings can question the mercy and goodness of God , God too is questioning Man's rebellion  against God and  Man's inhumanity to Man .
"What could have been done more in my vineyard, that I have not done in it ? ..." Isaiah 5:4.
While rebellious humans point their one finger against God , their other four fingers are pointing back to themselves. 
 People who question the power  and mercy of  God  should also reflect on the following points:

Why did God hand over the dominion of planet  Earth to Man and not to angels and to the  animals who were living on Earth before Man ?"

What did  Man do  to show gratitude to God ?  Man lost his dominion  to Satan.

The resources created by God on Earth are enough to go round every living soul and to make life meaningful for all humanity . But a small minority of very selfish men and women have  taken control of the world's resources for themselves and their generations unborn.  Why?
Who polluted the fresh air,  the rivers and oceans and stripped the forests of the earth bare ? 

Mankind has abused  the beautiful environment  and destroyed the Ozone layer which God put in place in the beginning ,to protect life on earth .

 These abuses by Mankind have led  to climate change , floods and other natural disasters.

 God has given all living souls the gift of life ; to glorify God during their life time.
Human beings could decide to use  their God-given freewill to choose between good and evil ; people could  choose to be vessels of peace and progress on earth or they are free to choose to  be deceived by Satan and be used as his messengers of  world-wide terror and death .
Whatsoever human beings sow, unfailingly ,  they will reap the judgement from God.
If there were no places on earth where people are living under the terrorizing reign of evil religions , how would Christians be able to appreciate what Jesus  Christ has done in their lives and to say , "Thank God  for Jesus Christ  and thank God I am a Christian ! " ?

 God sent His Son Jesus, to die  not  for "good" men only , but  for ALL men .

And what did mankind do  to Jesus Christ  when He lived on earth ?

Why  did mankind reject Jesus Christ and millions are still rejecting Him today ?
Those who have rejected  the salvation of God , have they not heard the words of the Lord Jesus in John 3 :16 - 18 , and have they not  heard  that : 
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved ". Acts 4:12.

Yes they have heard .
 Billions  of human souls have heard the Gospel preached several times , out of which  millions have chosen to ridicule and reject the Gospel of JesusChrist.

Why has God  not sent down His fire to destroy all those who blaspheme against God's Son and who  reject  the fullness of  God's mercy and grace expressed in Christ Jesus ?
God has not done so because He is merciful , loving and compassionate and does not desire the death of  the sinner but  God calls all men to repentance. 2 Peter 3: 9. 

You who have been questioning  the  love and  mercy of God ; it is time to face reality.
 What are you doing with  your God-given  life and freewill ?
Are you one of those  who have been blinded by  Satan from acknowledging and receiving the Salvation plan of God for mankind? 2 Corinthians 4 : 3 - 4 
 If you die today and stand before God , what will your life record of activities show ?

You cannot stand before God and question Him. 

Come out of that Satanic web of lies and deceit  and accept  the mercy and righteousness of God through Jesus Christ.

The life which Jesus  Christ gives is the only way out of the miserable circle of ingratitude.

"Let God be true  but  every man a liar...." Romans 3: 4.

 God is not a liar. Believe His Word while you still have breath in you and LIVE  by it. 

When life's challenges and afflictions come knocking , the way out of them and the way forward is  not  to become  bitter and  rebellious and it is not by railing accusations and curses against God .

The way forward is to remember that God is good and there is no turning or changing from goodness in Him.

What to do is trust God , that He is good and faithful ; accept that God knows what  He is doing , that He is omniscient ; God sees and  knows about our all challenges .
Standing on God's word concerning the challenges of life  gives peace to every mind troubled  and perplexed by  rebellious questions .

This is your year of  glorious testimonies of the goodness of God . 

Happy New Year and be blessed indeed. Amen.

Forgiveness : The Paths of Wisdom .

"Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves". Matthew 10:16.
In all human interactions offences would occur at least once,in a while.
No one can deny not having experienced feelings of anger and hurt when offended ; for anger is the natural reaction of any victim to an offence.
This post is the concluding part of my previous post:
"Offences : Stepping on Sore Toes".
Some people, easily, forget and forgive wrongs done to them but some people are like the proverbial elephant who never forgets!
They harbour malice and thoughts of revenge in their hearts , until they exact their "pound of flesh" for every offence committed against them.
It is easier for the victim of an offence to forgive minor wrongs or unintentional wrongs than to forgive offences which were done intentionally to cause maximum hurt , pain ,anger , loss and humiliation.
Also an offender who apologises to his victim (s),who shows genuine remorse and makes amends for his offence is more likely to be forgiven long before the offender who is adamantly unrepentant.

But what does the word of God say about forgiveness?
Do we forgive when it is convenient for us to so ; or when we "feel" like forgiving others ?
Should forgiveness be dispensed in measured doses: for "small" or "too great, too bad offences" against us?
Or is it right to forgive only when the culprit has apologised and compensated the victim for the offence?
What does our God say about anger ,bitterness and forgiveness?
"Be ye angry ,and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give room to the devil". Ephesian 4:26
He even goes further by telling us how frequent and to what measure our forgiveness should be :Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times : but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:22.

Forgiveness ,is the attribute of our Father, the loving , merciful Three -in-One God and it MUST be also inherent in us Christians, his children.
A child would always resemble his or her parents. Just as a dog begets a dog and a goat begets a goat!
God calls us his children ; and that is what sets the Christian apart from all the other peoples on earth who serve gods who are merciless and vengeful.
For those whose values and mind frames are based on the principles of "An eye for an eye!"; based on a culture of revenge, murder and mayhem, forgiveness is a HARD thing for them to do.
Forgiveness is a supernatural act. It is based on a determination to die to self; made possible by power of the Holy Spirit.
In the life of a spirit-filled Christian , the milk of human kindness should flow .
Whatever the offences against us, God demands that we forgive those who have wronged us ; as we have been forgiven by Him. Mark 11: 24-26.
Furthermore , Vengeance is God's responsibility. He knows how best to avenge for us, every wrong we have suffered.
I can testify that God does execute perfect vengeance on behalf of his children.
You could think you are strong or powerful enough to fight for yourself. Then you could decide to be hasty and exact revenge on your known enemies.
What of your secret enemies who know you but you don't even know them ?
Enemies who monitor your life ; watching your every action and speech ,plotting evil deeds against you ; yet you are not even aware of their existence ?
And when you are fast asleep, snoring, with your mouth open; who fights for you then ?
God neither slumbers no sleeps; he is omnipotent and omniscient and he alone has the power to fight and overcome all known and unknown enemies !

Someone had asked me if forgiveness was that easy , then why has God not forgiven Satan and restored him to his former position as second in command in Heaven?
People understand God better by asking questions . The answer to this question would give an insight into how God wants us to live a life of forgiveness.
We thank God for the liberty of being able to ask such questions in the Church, without fear of being beheaded or going into hiding for daring to ask!
God Almighty is the Sovereign God. Whatsoever he pleases , he does in heaven and on earth. He could choose to be or not to be merciful , gracious or accessible to certain persons . His ways are past finding . Who can question him?
As it is written , Jacob have I loved , but Esau have I hated . Romans 9:13
What was Esau's offence and why was Jacob , his younger brother preferred by God even BEFORE the twins were born ? Genesis 25:23.

The Bible says , " And there was war in heaven...." Revelation 12:7-9.
If Satan could look God Almighty in the face and wage war against God inside heaven ; why would anyone be surprised that he and his demon-possessed children are waging wars all over the world ; against everybody and even against themselves!
Satan was cast out of heaven for his rebellion against God . Isaiah 14:12-15.
God could have ordered his angels of war to destroy Satan , immediately after his sin of rebellion and treason ; but God allowed Satan to leave heaven and make his abode on Planet Earth.
Although Satan received mercy from God , Satan has not forgiven God and has continually waged war against God ; for two main reasons.
The first reason being Satan's anger and bitterness because of his failure to usurp control from God which led to his humiliating exit from his exalted position in Heaven. Satan was thrown out, accompanied by millions of fallen angels whom he had succeeded in deceiving to join him in his rebellion.
These evil beings made the Earth their place of abode and operational headquarters.
Today , Satan and his millions of evil spirits are worshipped as "gods" by billions of peoples on earth.
These demonic spirits enter into and possess human beings and use them to commit horrendous offences against mankind , all over the earth.
From the beginning of Satan's presence on the Earth, billions of people have been deceived and are being deceived even till today, by Satan.
Satan , the perpetual liar and impostor appears to them , demanding their worship and he makes them believe that they are worshipping the one "true God"; when they are actually, worshipping Satan and his evil spirits! John 10:10 .
" There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" Proverbs 14:12.

Secondly, Satan hates God and cannot forgive God for coming to the earth; in human form as Jesus the Christ , the Son of the Living God.
Jesus Christ came to expose Satan's lies and to show Mankind the Way back to God!
" He that committeth sin of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested , that he might destroy the works of the devil".1 John 3:8b.

When you hate someone , you hate his children and everything and every symbol which reminds you of that person.
The same implacable and passionate hatred which Satan has for God ; he and his children manifest the same hatred against the Gospel of Christianity, the symbol of Salvation which is the Cross, against the Church and born again Christians!
Nothing drives Satan and his children mad and incensed with rage than the mention of THAT name JESUS and the sight of a Christian preaching the message of the Gospel!
Of course , Satan doesn't mind the existence of dormant Christians!
Satan uses his nation on earth; comprising of millions of demon-possessed persons as his weapons of hatred to attack, weaken and kill as many people as possible , especially Christians.
Their feet are swift in shedding blood ; NEVER in doing anything good!
In fact , nothing sets them off into wild cheering and jubilation, than the news or sight of war, of beheadings and bloodshed ; especially the blood of Christians !
"You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him.
When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it". John 8:44.

As Satan and his gang of murderers were defeated in the beginning ; so they remain our defeated foes even till today. They are under our feet.
We are required to forgive our foes as our God forgives us .
But , Wisdom is "crying in the streets", on our behalf, that we MUST RECOGNISE and DISCERN the difference between Forgiveness and Foolishness.
We endeavour to follow peace with all men , as is required from us as Christians ,in a hostile world. But God does not demand for foolishness leading to ultimate destruction as a proof of our obedience of His commandment of Forgiveness .
The lives and properties of many Christians have been lost and destroyed because of ignorance and lack of knowledge of the Word of God about forgiveness !

The Wisdom of God cautions us against those people we have forgiven, who continue to harbour implacable hatred and thoughts of murder in their hearts against us !
The following Bible verses are, all , apt descriptions and symbols of the Enemy, Satan; as they manifest in demon-possessed men and women.
"...wolves.." Matthew 10:16, Luke 10:3.
"....serpents and scorpions.." Luke 10:19.
" .. thieves , robbers , liars and murderers." John Chapter 10.
"... a roaring lion ,walking about, seeking whom to devour". 1 Peter 5:8;
"..they have become unprofitable,..the poison of asps is under their lips. Romans 3:13
" They do not know the way of peace, destructions and misery are in their ways. Their feet are swift to shed blood. No fear of God in the eyes ". Romans 3:14 - 18.
"... beasts at Ephesus...." 1 Corinthians 15:32.
These characters sound scary but they are real and are very active all over the place!

The Good News is that we have been given power to tread on them and to over overcome them with love and forgiveness.
But we should not give them easy access into our lives and allow them to wreck havoc !
God has not sent us on a mission of self-destruction by foolish living!.
People keep wild animals and poisonous snakes as pets. They tame these pets , feed them and treat them with love and affection.
Yet they keep these wild and dangerous creatures where they belong ; in cages!
No sane persons would give free access to dangerous characters to enter their lives and give them their privileged secrets .
You could forgive lions and serpents who have vowed to kill you ; but do not " forgive and forget" past offences and then put your head inside the "tame" lion's mouth or insert your finger into the snake's mouth!
You could decide to forgive the devil by dining with him ; but always dine with the devil with a very long spoon and with both your eyes open !

Hezekiah ,the God -fearing King of Israel ,had a forgiving and forgetting heart .
He had visions of "World Peace " and good intentions of forgiving and forgetting his former sworn enemies. ( Isaiah 39: 1-8 )
King Hezekiah was very magnanimous and eager to take the hand of friendship extended to him by Me-rodach-baladan , son of the King of Babylon .
He gladly welcomed emissaries from Babylon and gave them a grand tour of his palace and of all his dominion. He showed them all his treasures!
Hezekiah displayed the spirit of true forgiveness towards his old enemy, whom he thought was genuinely repentant and was offering the "olive branch" of reconciliation.
However,immediately after Hezekiah's gesture, the reprimand from God concerning his actions came through Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 39:3-8.
This prophecy about the repercussion of Hezekiah's foolishness, surely, came to pass; according to God's warning.
(2 Kings 24:10-16 )
The lesson here is that if you have forgiven someone , you would be naive to assume that that person has forgiven and forgotten the enmity between you ,even as you have forgiven them.
Forgiveness is holy and desirable ; foolishness and madness are not.
" Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine,lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you". Matthew 7:6.

There is therefore a difference between Forgiveness and Restoration .
Reconciliation is that bridge linking FORGIVENESS to RESTORATION of friendship.
Both you, the victim and the offender have to BUILD bridges to enable you reach the desired goal of restored peace, love and harmony in that relationship.
If you are building bridges through forgiveness and forgetting offences and the other persons are pulling down the bridges , the reconciliation process would collapse .
Until you get to that point of restoration and MUTUAL willingness to live in peace with your enemy ; the counsel from the Word of God is:
"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep walking and suffer for it". Proverbs 27:12.
Continue to love and forgive your enemies. Follow peace with all men ; but get His Wisdom; be wise , be vigilant always.
Thou through thy commandments have made me wiser than my enemies : for they are ever with me. Psalm 119: 98