Overcoming Bitterness: Moving From Life’s Greatest Hurts to a Life Filled With JoySýnishorn

Day Four: The Making Of A Bitter Heart 

We have all heard people talk about the proverbial “line in the sand.” Whatever the context, the point is always the same—you can go this far, but no farther. We have now come to the important point in our study where we honestly face how and when bitterness becomes sinful. This is the line in the sand that God instructs us not to cross. 

The good news is that the Lord is our gracious King who stands ready with strength to help us avoid taking steps that would dishonor him and destroy us. Additionally, He is our merciful Savior who is willing to forgive and cleanse us when we have become sinfully bitter. The hope is that we don’t cross the line into sinful bitterness, but if we do, He provides a way out.

God’s Word paints a comprehensive picture of how human life works. Our behavior, including bitterness, flows out of a fully functioning heart, or inner person. Jesus explained it like this: “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man” (Mark 7:20).

The word “heart” is used over seven hundred times in the Bible. It isn’t simply the seat of our emotions or the physical organ in our body. In God’s Word, “heart” encompasses every aspect of our inner person. It is our control center and includes everything about us that is not material. It is so important that King Solomon tells us, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Sinful bitterness in the heart always begins with misplaced desires. Often they come in the form of unreasonable expectations we set up for the people and situations around us. Our children, spouse, coworkers, neighbors, and everyone else must behave in a certain way. Once we go from “I’d like to have” to “I must have,” there’s idolatry in our heart.

We do what we do because we want what we want. One way to watch over our heart with all diligence is to give careful attention at any given moment to the nature of our desires. We should be asking ourselves, What am I wanting right now, and is this a desire God can bless?

Is examining the condition of your heart something you do often? Commit to making this a common habit. Are you able to ask yourself: What am I wanting right now, and is this a desire God can bless?