The Bible's View on BitternessSample

The Danger of Bitterness

Being betrayed, undermined or downright abandoned is going to hurt. But trying to take matters into your own hands will not bring about the results you desire. That’s why when someone has wronged you it’s important to bring every hurt or pain you feel to the Father.

The Great Physician is the only one who can heal your wounds of rejection and cleanse you from the infection of bitterness. Not to mention, Jehovah Nissi –the Lord our Banner– is the ultimate judge and avenger who will protect and defend you from those who have harmed you. In essence, this means there is no need to hurt yourself trying to get even.

The Bible tells us we are to “make every effort to live in peace with all men and be holy,” because “without holiness, we will not see the Lord.”

Effort requires intention. This means in order to live in harmony with other people, we have to make the conscious choice to avoid taking offense every time an individual does something we do not like.

Remember, to be holy is to be consecrated and set apart to God. That is why the apostle James tells us quite plainly, if we can’t live in peace among each other, we will not be able to dwell in God’s presence.

I’d like to think this is because God’s very nature is love and He simply will not abide where malice, strife and contention run rampant.

Not to mention, if we allow these toxic emotions to consume us, we can no longer be considered sanctified or sacred, since unforgiveness hinders the grace we receive through Christ.