One Heart - Power of the WordSample

THE BITTER ROOT

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:14-15 NIV

The root of bitterness is caused by failing to receive God's grace, which then causes trouble or corruption in the church. Therefore, Christians should make every effort to live in peace with all people, pursue holiness, and look after each other diligently. The seed of bitterness is anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly. The soil of bitterness is a heart that harbors hostility and does not deal with hurt by the grace of God. When someone becomes bitter, the bitterness takes root in the heart and grows deeper. The world is full of people who have not dealt with old hurts. Holding on to the anger causes the seed to germinate. It leads to resentment, gossip, saying bad things about those who hurt you, feeling sorry for yourself. The root of bitterness is underground; it is easy to hide and camouflage. Seldom do you find anyone who will admit that they are a bitter person. They will either deny it or disguise it. Bitterness is like a slow poison, one negative thought leads to another, and soon we’re tossing and turning at night, replaying hurtful interactions and making a new plan to get even. When your heart is bitter, God will not be real to you. Why? Because hatefulness and holiness do not dwell in the same heart. And without holiness you will not see the Lord (Heb.12:14).

One of the most well-known stories of bitterness in the Bible is of Cain and Abel. Cain becomes consumed by bitterness for his brother and God when he feels unjustly treated compared to his brother Abel. Cain resists God and kills his brother out of hatred and pity for himself. This is the condition of most people in the world. But Christians should be different. We have something that unbelievers do not have. We have been forgiven of our own sins; we were adopted by a loving, merciful Father; we were given an indwelling God whose power transforms us from the inside out; we were given divine gifts to minister healing and reconciliation to the world around us. Why don't we? We either have not experienced being forgiven, or know the love of God, or experienced transformation in our hearts. But it is never too late.

Here are some things that we can do and pray personally (ME), and as the church (US), so that we can help others (THEM). Read the following prayerfully and ask the Lord to bring about this transformation in your own life (ME) and in your church (US). Pray that the church will be able to minister effectively in the world God places us (THEM).

Trust the Sovereignty of God. Whatever trial you’re facing today has been orchestrated by the hand of God. He allowed some suffering because He knows what He wants you to become – Christlike.

Extend God’s grace. Instead of giving someone a taste of their own medicine; instead of slandering their reputation; and instead of harboring bitterness and resentment, live out the gospel of grace by extending forgiveness. Just as Christ has freely forgiven us, so we need to forgive those who have sinned against us (Matthew 6:12). Practice to forgive consistently, and without conditions. Most of us think that forgiving someone excuses the person in the wrong, but that is not the case. By forgiving, you are choosing to let go of past events and all the pent-up anger that you have related to them.

Hand over the desire for justice and revenge to God. Step out of your position as judge, jury, and executioner. Let it go and remind yourself that God is always righteous and always merciful. Stop spying on your enemy!

Stop talking about the past. There’s always the temptation to dig up the past. That is the way of the world. We love to build monuments to remember our pain. Every time we do that we slide back into bitterness. If God would have done that to us, we would have lost our salvation. Change your expectations. God's promises wait in the present and the future.

Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to your heart, even if it takes a long time. Open up your heart for healing, for love, and for the divine grace to even begin to love your enemies. If we don't do that, we will soon be consumed by the poison that leaves us in the pit of despair, as a church and as a nation. True freedom and joy are found by embracing the gospel of grace and extending it to the very people we’re least inclined to love. The cure for bitterness is not found in getting even, but by giving grace—just as God in Christ has done for us.

Remember your scripture memory of John 17.

Never trust your tongue when your heart is bitter. – Samuel Johnson.