Ephesians 4:26–27 (NIV) “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

On Sunday morning we wrapped up the Red Flags series with a message called Stop, Drop, and Reconcile. We explored the story of Jacob and Esau and how reconciliation heals relationships, stops destructive cycles, and requires us to humble ourselves.

But reconciliation doesn’t just happen automatically. There’s a danger we must watch out for: letting things fester. Because if reconciliation is the cure, festering is the infection.

A Wound Left Untreated

When I was a child, I (Pastor Callie) scraped my leg while playing. Instead of cleaning it properly, I ignored it and carried on. A few days later, the scrape became swollen, red, and infected. What was once a small problem turned serious because I didn’t deal with it.

That’s exactly how it works spiritually. Unresolved anger, unforgiven offenses, and untreated wounds don’t go away. They grow. They spread. They infect.

That’s why Paul warns us: “Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

In other words—don’t let it fester.

Seal It Before It Spoils

Paul continues in Ephesians 4:27: “Do not give the devil a foothold.”

Think about vacuum-sealed food. When sealed properly, no air or bacteria can get in. It stays fresh and preserved for its purpose. But if there’s even the tiniest crack, air creeps in, bacteria spreads, and what was once nourishing begins to rot.

That’s what happens when we leave cracks in our spiritual lives:

• A little unforgiveness.
• A trace of pride.
• A corner left unhealed.

The enemy doesn’t need the whole door open—just a sliver. That’s why Paul says, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” Every day you leave a crack unsealed, you expose your heart to decay.

Spiritually, we need to be vacuum-sealed—fully surrendered to Jesus, fully closed off to the enemy, fully preserved in His grace.

Festering Turns a Moment Into a Mindset

When something festers, it doesn’t remain small. It becomes a mindset.

Here’s a simple example: as a kid, I sometimes didn’t want to eat my lunch at school. Instead of throwing it away, I left it in my backpack. At first, it wasn’t a big deal. But after a few days, it started to stink—and the smell followed me everywhere.

That’s how bitterness and offense work. When you refuse to deal with the “lunch in your bag,” it doesn’t stay hidden. It seeps out into your attitude, your words, your relationships.

The Bible warns us in Hebrews 12:15: “See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

A bitter root doesn’t remain a root. It grows into a tree, shaping how you see everything and everyone. If you don’t deal with what’s festering in you, it will eventually start speaking for you.

But here’s the hope: God doesn’t just remove the spoiled things—He gives you fresh bread every day. His mercies are new every morning.

Wash What’s Been Exposed

When spoiled food is left in a bag, it doesn’t just ruin itself—it contaminates everything it touches. But the solution isn’t to throw everything away. You wash what’s been exposed so it doesn’t spread. That’s what reconciliation does. It washes away the residue of what you’ve been exposed to so it doesn’t contaminate your life.

Jesus explained this in John 13:10 (NIV): “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.”

Once you’re saved, you belong to Him. But as you walk through life, you pick up dirt, offense, bitterness, and hurt. Jesus says, “Let Me wash that off.”

That’s why reconciliation isn’t just saying “sorry.” It’s about letting God’s grace wash over your wounds so they don’t spread into your future.

The Hope We Have

Maybe you’ve been carrying something that’s been festering—words spoken, a betrayal experienced, a wound that never healed.

The good news is this: Jesus didn’t come just to expose the rot, He came to wash it away.

John 7:38 says: “Whoever believes in me, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

He not only cleanses you, but makes you a source of cleansing for others. So don’t let spoiled things linger another day. Don’t let anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness fester. Because reconciliation doesn’t just heal relationships—it unlocks destinies.

What about you? Is there something in your life that’s been festering—an offense, an unresolved wound, or bitterness that you’ve been carrying? Now is the time to bring it to Jesus. Let Him wash it away. Let Him seal your heart in His peace. And let reconciliation flow through you into your relationships.