Bitterness – Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled
For many years, I had my Christianity turned inside out. I was in church three times a week, witnessed about the Lord’s gracious loving-kindness at every opportunity, and avoided improper behavior. I loved the Lord and desired to grow in my relationship with Him. However, for all my seeming righteousness, I carried on a clandestine relationship with bitterness, that pernicious foe of our souls. I participated in prayer groups and Bible studies earnestly desiring clean hands and a pure heart that I might ascend into the Lord’s holy hill,[1] but I allowed a not-so-dormant root of bitterness to remain, thereby keeping myself from receiving the freedom Christ offers those who follow Him. I toiled under the self-imposed hard labor of a slave,[2] for this remnant kept me in bondage to iniquity.[3] I allowed that which is earthly, natural, and demonic to defile me[4] as I sacrificed the joy that comes from gratitude for God’s goodness and provision,[5] and declined the blessings that flow out of forgiveness.
One day while we were praying, a friend asked if I had forgiven a grievous betrayal against me. I bluntly responded, “No, I hate the person who betrayed me.” As I spoke these words, which surprised both of us, I realized I was harboring sin, and I knew I could not allow another day to pass with hostile and vengeful feelings in even the deepest, most unused corner of my heart. My previous prayers to forgive had been halfhearted, not matched with a firm resolve to resist the enticing lure of bitterness. In some perverse way, I must have been gaining pleasure from my hatred, and yet ironically, I was the one being poisoned. Before I rose from my knees, I determined that bitterness would no longer find me a welcoming host, and thus began a profound revival in my life. Since that day, the Lord has exposed much sin lurking in my heart, but by His grace, He is cleansing me and continuing the work He began in me when I first joined the good fight of faith.[6]
Have a long, serious talk with
your heart and the Holy Spirit, and if upon interrogation, your heart admits to
providing asylum to bitterness or its unholy companions, banish them
today. Stand, armed with faith, against
them, trusting that as you do, the Lord, who is able to keep you from
stumbling, will make you blameless and joy-filled, worthy to stand as royalty with
Him in glory.[7]
[1] Psalm 24:3-4
[2] Exodus 1:13-14
[3] Acts 8:23
[4] James 3:14-15
[5] Psalm 107:1-3
[6] 1 Timothy 6:11-12
[7] Jude 24
