Podcast Summary: Faith & Forgiveness, Part 2 | LIVE w/Nancy Dufresne

Dufresne Ministries Podcast | November 20, 2021

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Nancy Dufresne continues her teaching on the essential connection between faith and forgiveness, drawing from Kenneth Copeland’s article, “Keep the Power Flowing.” She unpacks why unforgiveness blocks the flow of God’s power and faith in a believer’s life, emphasizing forgiveness as a daily, deliberate choice rather than a fleeting feeling. The episode is rich with scripture-based teaching, personal anecdotes, and practical instructions for walking in love and freedom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Faith and the Holy Spirit

• Pastor Nancy opens by referencing Kenneth Copeland's writing in the Believer’s Voice of Victory magazine (“Keep the Power Flowing”). She stresses that, after Jesus’ ascension, the Holy Spirit is the manifest power of God on earth, making that power “present everywhere” ([00:35]).
• Key teaching: God’s power is present everywhere, but it is not always in “manifestation.” Faith is required to “activate” or “add” to that power ([01:30]).
  • “We need to check our faith pipeline. Is our faith pipeline clogged up? Do we have some debris in there?...What about unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, offense, things like that that faith cannot flow through?” — Nancy Dufresne ([02:20])

The Critical Role of Forgiveness in Faith

• Sharing from Mark 11:23-25, Nancy explains how Jesus instructs believers to speak to problems (mountains) in faith, to pray, and—crucially—to forgive when standing in prayer.
  • Verse 23: Remove obstacles by speaking in faith.
  • Verse 24: Receive desires by believing in prayer.
  • Verse 25: Keep faith working by forgiving others ([04:50]).
• “Faith will not work in an unforgiving heart.” — Nancy Dufresne quoting Kenneth Copeland ([02:58])

Forgiveness: A Choice, Not a Feeling

• “Forgiving someone is not a feeling, it’s a choice...You choose to forgive someone not because you feel like forgiving them, but because you know what God's word says about it.” — Nancy Dufresne ([06:10])
• Forgiveness is an act of will, empowered by the “love of God on the inside of us.” Even if the other person never asks for forgiveness, we are to forgive them by choice ([07:45]).

Dealing with Memories and Lingering Emotions

• Nancy discusses the struggle with lingering hurt or resentment even after choosing to forgive. She emphasizes renewing the mind and actively refusing to “replay” wrongs in one’s thoughts or conversations ([10:00]).
  • Notable: “No, I’ve chosen to forgive them and I’ve forgiven them...And I don’t care what feelings tried to come. I forgive them because I forgave them by my choice.” — Nancy Dufresne ([11:00])
• She highlights how unforgiveness can linger “as residue in your spirit” and block faith's effectiveness ([12:50]).

Faith as a Pipeline – The Analogy

• Nancy likens faith to a water pipeline that can become clogged by “debris” such as resentment and offense, hindering God’s power and grace from reaching our needs ([16:20]).
  • She gives a personal example of how tree roots clogged the water lines at her home, drawing a parallel to how spiritual blockages prevent God’s power from flowing freely.

Practical Steps for Releasing Unforgiveness

• Personal testimony: Nancy shares how praying in the Spirit (tongues) acted like a “vacuum cleaner,” pulling up any concealed hurt or unforgiveness from her heart ([19:28]).
  • “It was as though someone...like the Holy Ghost, like a vacuum cleaner...the suction of that draws up that unseen debris.” — Nancy Dufresne ([20:00])
• She warns against keeping unforgiveness for strategic use in future arguments, stating, “When you choose to forgive someone, that means you can no longer use it against them.” ([22:25])
• Discusses the importance of not rehearsing past hurts or bringing them into the present, using Paul’s instruction from Philippians 3 as a model: “One thing I do, I forget those things which are behind.” ([24:00])
  • “Every time you talk about something that was hurtful...you’re bringing the past into your present. And...to have your faith working, you don't want to...draw to the surface...all the things that the blood has washed away.” — Nancy Dufresne ([24:41])

Walking in Forgiveness and Love

• Forgiveness sets you free, keeps you in charge of your life, and releases God's flow ([28:30]).
• Nancy encourages listeners that, regardless of their past—no matter how painful—the blood of Jesus makes it possible to forgive and live free from bitterness and offense ([30:10]).
  • “You can walk free from that and let God build you...into the fullness of the stature of Christ.” — Nancy Dufresne ([31:10])
• Faith only works by love; one step outside of love is a step into sin (referencing Dad Hagin) ([13:40]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On faith and forgiveness:

  • “Faith will not work in an unforgiving heart.” — [02:58]
  • “Forgiving someone is not a feeling, it’s a choice...You choose to forgive someone not because you feel like forgiving them, but because you know what God's word says about it.” — [06:10]

• On the process:

  • “No, I’ve chosen to forgive them, and I’ve forgiven them...Even if the old feelings try to come back of resentment or ill will towards them...That is still my choice.” — [11:00]
  • “You don’t want to carry and...draw to the surface...all the things that the blood has washed away. You want to leave that in the past.” — [24:41]
  • “You can live free and walk free...” — [28:30]

• On practical steps:

  • “When you choose to forgive someone, that means you can no longer use it against them.” — [22:25]
  • “You don’t have to say, ‘Oh, God, give me enough love to forgive.’ The love of God is on the inside of you if you’re born again—that love is in there.” — [32:00]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:35 – The omnipresence of God’s power through the Holy Spirit
• 02:20 – “Is our faith pipeline clogged up?”—Introducing the metaphor of clogged faith
• 04:50 – Mark 11:23-25 explained: faith, prayer, and forgiveness
• 06:10 – Forgiveness as a choice, not a feeling
• 11:00 – How to handle recurring memories or emotions after forgiving
• 12:50 – The danger of “residue” of unforgiveness blocking faith
• 16:20 – Analogy: faith as a pipeline, clogs from offense/unforgiveness
• 19:28 – Testimony: praying in the Spirit removes hidden hurts
• 22:25 – You cannot use forgiven offenses as ammunition
• 24:00 – Paul’s model: “I forget those things which are behind”
• 28:30 – Walking free from past hurts and taking charge of your life
• 32:00 – The love of God within makes true forgiveness possible
• 34:30 – Pastor Nancy prays for listeners’ healing and leads a confession of forgiveness

Final Takeaways

• Faith is a powerful force in a believer’s life, but it is rendered ineffective by an unforgiving heart.
• Forgiveness is always available and achievable, because believers have God’s love within by the Holy Spirit.
• Letting go of past hurts and choosing not to rehearse or bring them up again is vital for spiritual freedom and effective faith.
• Regular renewal of the mind, praying in the Spirit, and choosing love are practical tools for sustaining a life of forgiveness.
• As declared throughout the episode: “If you want your faith to work, you have to make sure that you forgive other people.”