Faith is not only believing in God; it is also knowing how to act correctly after making mistakes – and, especially, after getting it right.
We have already said that the best way to recover from a bad choice is to be quick to make the right choice. It was like that with the so-called prodigal son. He came to his senses, recognised the mistake, humbled himself, returned to his father’s house and was received with mercy.

However, the parable that Jesus told does not speak only of a son. It talks about two. And that’s precisely where many are wrong.

Two sons, two tests

Although it is known as the parable of the prodigal son, the Bible makes it clear that it is the story of two brothers. One left home, wasted everything and got lost. The other remained by his father’s side, served, was faithful and, apparently, did everything right.

When, however, the younger son returned repentant, and the father held a party to receive him, the older brother was tested. It was precisely at that moment that what was hidden came to the fore.

When faithfulness hides resentment

The biblical text (Luke 15:25) shows that the older brother was indignant and refused to enter the house. Instead of rejoicing with his father for the return of his lost son, he revolted. There, it was evident that, despite his correct posture over the years, he carried something dangerous in his heart: grudges.

That son, who seemed so faithful, revealed that he served only to wait for recognition. He didn’t do it just for love, but waited for a reward. And when he didn’t get what he thought he deserved, he exploded.

I wasn’t ready for the inheritance

Traditionally, the eldest son takes his father’s place. However, at that moment, he proved that he was not prepared for this. Just as the youngest did not know how to deal with material inheritance, the older one did not know how to deal with spiritual inheritance: mercy, compassion and balance.

Therefore, a father, a leader, someone who takes care of people, needs to know how to exercise three things: justice, mercy and faith. That is, wisdom is precisely in knowing when to apply each of them. However, the older brother failed in this.

The blindness of grudges

Observe how resentment acts. The eldest son complained that he had never received a goat, but he forgot that he owned the entire herd. He focused on a detail and lost sight of the whole.

That’s exactly what grudges do: they blind. They paralyse reasoning, distort perception, and lead the person to act only by emotion. Those who hold grudges curse themselves without realising it.

It started well, ended badly

The prodigal son started badly, but ended well. The older brother started well, but ended badly. And the difference between them was not the mistake, but what each one did with the heart.

The older brother’s grudges didn’t come suddenly. They were fed over time. Frustrated expectations, feeling of not being valued, silent resentment – all this was there, hidden, until it came to the fore.

Examine your heart

This story is a warning to all of us. We need to revisit the heart with sincerity and humility. The resentment is not an impulse; it is cultivated. And if it’s not treated, it destroys.

Take care of your heart. Don’t let grudges take up space inside you. He who does not forgive is not forgiven. And without forgiveness, there is no salvation.

Think about it. Reevaluate your attitudes. Choose to release forgiveness before the resentment ends what you started well.

Watch until the end and examine yourself.

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