Root of Bitterness
Hebrews 12:12-17 nkjv12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
❓When have you ever struggled to not become bitter towards someone ❓ When have you ever been bitterly disappointed?⭐
Bitterness is one of the main and most effective weapons darkness uses to disrupt our walk with God. v15) “many become defiled because of it.
⭐ What makes it so effective?1. Bitterness is described here as a “root”.
- Often bitterness grows beneath the surface of our life.
- It starts with a wound, disappointment, betrayal, injustice, rejection or unresolved grief.
- If we don’t “root it out” and surrender it to God, it will take over the soul.
- It will remain hidden for a time but will eventually trouble our soul by affecting our thoughts, words, actions and behaviors.
- It will defile our relationships with God and others.
2. We are all vulnerable to it. Vs 15) Many be defiled. To let regrets, disagreements, past hurts and pains grow and build into our life until we are poisoned by its power and fail of the grace of God.
3. It fills our life with trouble:
- Distracts us from God’s purpose for our life. (Esau)
- It causes life not to work as intended. ( bad sparkplug, water in gas)
- Puts us in bondage. Fear, anger, depression, unhappiness.
- Robs us of the “Joy of the Lord”.
- Robs us of our peace.
⭐ Signs of Bitterness of soul.
1. Finding it hard to forgive or trust others
2. Struggling to rejoice when others are blessed!
3. We become harsh, cynical, cold or resentful.
4. Always negative about things.
5. Always focusing on the faults and failures of others6. Constantly replays the wrongs of the past.
⭐ Proverbs 23:7 As we think in our heart so we become! Matthew 15: 18-19 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
- A bitter spirit can poison a family, church, friendship or community.
- What is buried in the heart eventually comes out through speech, attitude and behavior.
⭐ DEALING WITH BITTERNESS:
Ephesians 4:31–32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you…… And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
1. Stop letting it control your emotions, actions and words! You can control this!
2. Treat people right! Be kind! Treat them as you want to be treated. Expecting nothing in return.
3. Forgive. They don’t owe you anything! The debt of others puts us in prison.
- Forgiveness doesn’t mean telling ourselves that the wrong done didn’t matter or pretending evil never happened, nor does it always remove consequences or require immediate reconciliation.
- But it does mean forgiveness is giving God our vengeance and judgment instead of carrying them in our own heart and letting it control and poison our life.
- Bitterness keeps wounds alive; forgiveness allows God truth to begin healing them.
4. Christ not only commands forgiveness, but He gives us the power to forgive through grace and His Holy Spirit. At the cross, Jesus prayed for those crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them.”
- The more we understand how much mercy God has shown us, the harder it becomes to justify holding hatred against others indefinitely.
A healed heart does not deny pain, but it refuses to let pain become its identity. God can take the deepest wounds and transform them into compassion, wisdom, humility and testimony, if they are surrendered to Him rather than nurtured in resentment.
What does this teach?
I. “Looking Diligently”v15) 15 looking carefully Bitterness isn’t just a one time battle or an enemy that goes away. It may leave us for a season but it will return.
- Watch carefully B. Guard your heart C. Remain spiritually alert
II. Embrace God’s Grace: v15) 15 ,,,,,lest anyone fall short of the grace of God,,,, God’s grace isn’t weak. It refers to our own weaknesses of neglecting, resisting or turning away from the grace God offers.💥 God’s grace is powerful! Titus 2:11-12 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;➤ Grace changes the heart. When people reject God’s healing work, bitterness often fills the vacuum.Common causes of bitterness:➤ 1. unresolved hurt 2. jealousy 3. betrayal 4. pride 5. disappointment with people 6. disappointment with life,➤ or even anger toward God. 7. Bitterness usually begins as an injury that is never surrendered to God.
III. Don’t let life become defiled! V15 lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;➤ Walk in endurance, holiness and spiritual discipline.v14) What can keep life undefiled?
- pursue peace with others
- pursue holiness
- strengthen weak hands and feeble knees
- and stay on the narrow path
"Bitterness is a prison whose bars are forged from old wounds. Forgiveness is the key that sets the soul free." "Bitterness keeps the past alive; forgiveness allows the heart to move forward."
