Bitterness is an ugly thing and we need to work on eliminating it from our lives. Our job, as Christians, is to be at peace with all men. Stay undefiled by the spirit of bitterness. Do not to let bitterness take root and grow.
Many people have horrific tales to tell; awful things said and done to them. When we focus on those stories there is no liberty – we must forgive. No matter how deep the hurt, we must forgive. The Lord will forgive us our trespass, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Forgiveness of sin isn’t for the other person, it’s for us to better let go and heal, moving forward in the process, eliminating bitterness and hate from our lives. Bitterness and hate bring sickness.
Hebrews 12 has a lot to say on the issue of bitterness and the trouble it causes in one’s life. Perhaps you might take a moment to look this up in your bible and read it for yourself, so you know exactly what’s at stake.
Bitter people can be quite scary, according to Bill Johnson who said in one of his sermons; “The scariest people I’ve ever met, have all been people who carry much bitterness.”
Vices which come through iniquity (heinousness, immorality, evil, injustice, crime, corruption) and unforgiveness, cause a bitterness which destroys life quicker than any other thing. Bitterness swallows the bitter and does nothing to affect the person against whom they are bitter. That person remains unscathed by the bitterness thrown against them.
A tranquil heart is life to the body, whereas bitterness causes a myriad of long-term health issues. We need to work towards having a tranquil heart, forgiving, as God asks us to do. When we do as God asks us, when we extend mercy not blame, showing an act of love and not hate in spite of our pain, we will be victorious. We will be called ‘peacemakers.’ Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Bitterness is justifiable only to the bitter. We’ve all gone through hardship. Our job now is not to hold on to any resentment. There is reasoning behind resentment, but that doesn’t mean we should cling to it.
Thankfulness insulates against contamination, or stumbling. A thankful heart can eliminate the bitterness in our lives. Even a meal which could possibly hurt you, can be sanctified by prayer in thankfulness. Thankfulness decontaminates a bitter heart. Thankfulness is a fruit. Let it be a favourite fruit of yours.
We’re told not to give place to the devil, or to any influence of the enemy. Bitterness is one of those influences we need to weed out. There are 3 areas that open people up to the demonic; drug abuse - especially hallucinogens - sexual immorality (which continues over time) and bitterness. If you’re not a Christian, the devil isn’t too concerned about you. A Christian, on the other hand, is fair game according to the devil and he will take you where he wills.
Bitter people are possessed by the spirit of bitterness, so it is a spiritual corruption and that corruption can run deep. People have murdered, when in bitterness. Unforgiveness defiles everyone under the influence of the bitter person, including the bitter person themselves. It destroys the vessel it’s in and for this reason we must be mindful.
We ourselves are undeserving of forgiveness and yet He forgave us. How much more should you forgive? We only receive forgiveness according to the forgiveness we meter out to others.
The Lord’s prayer, the very one Jesus taught the disciples, states; forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Don’t let bitterness take a hold in your life. Forgive. Forgive often. Forgive both large and small hurts.
Make sure you know which side your on, as we need to know what God loves. God’s anger is aimed at what interferes with love. Be angry and sin not. Anger is natural in certain situation, but don’t let anger lead to sin, to bitterness, to retaliation (which can and has, led to murder). Do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-26).
Your volume increases, as your bitterness increases. You begin to shout angrily. The more you talk about your bitterness, the more you reinforce it in your life. Take those bitter words off the table and speak of them no more.
Bitter people are not trustworthy, for they are unstable. Commit to live the life of a forgiven and forgiving person. That doesn’t mean what’s been done to you is okay, but you can’t allow yourself to be controlled by bitter thoughts and feelings. Only when you can let go of bitterness can you contribute effectively to society, bringing redemptive solutions.
Staying in bitterness, causes you to lose the ability to have a positive effect on the world around you, for even the air surrounding you is tainted with the heaviness of bitterness and people perceive it. You’re akin to a radio, with negative radio waves, impacting the people around you. Those bitter roots can defile people everywhere you go.
If you are bitter and you honestly forgive, your behaviour should be one of peace and not one controlled any longer, by the incident. If you’re still feeling angry, you haven’t fully forgiven. Let it go. Move on.
Determine live as a forgiver. Release people. Refuse to be bound by the actions of other people. You may be frustrated and angry, but you need to go to sleep in peace, so the bitterness doesn’t take root and grow.
Pursue peace, as it will transform and sanctify your character. Remember, if your behaviour doesn’t change, you haven’t fully forgiven. Change that radio frequency and send out vibes of peace and joy.
Every problem was slain when you were born again, but they can resurface. That doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. It means letting go of the past and sometimes that means letting go again, if you notice you’ve inadvertently picked that bitterness back up.
Bitterness can be perceived or real. Sometimes the offending party don’t even realise they’ve offended you. You may have misconstrued what was said. You may not, but either way, you’re the one responsible for letting go. Someone else may well have caused it, but still, it’s like a bitter poison to your life in general and visa-versa. If you happen to be the cause of someone else’s bitterness, you need to ask forgiveness if at all possible.
If you hold onto the hurt, it will shape how you view the situation, as our imaginations take us further than we need to go.
When there are measurable actions; fast, pray, phone call to bless and honour, or serve, or give a gift, take those action steps. Come to the place where the hurt doesn’t affect you, because that part of you is dead anyway, for as a born-again believer you should be dead self.
You need a behaviour change, even if it’s 20 years ago or longer. You can’t continue doing the same thing and expecting a different result.
If the person is no longer around, bless them anyway, or their family line. Ask God to forgive you, to help you let the issue go and bless the other party. Pray for people who oppose you in some way.
Never criticise another believer who is a believer in God. You don’t know their story. Pray for whatever they need and give the blessing of the Lord, that they would have children who would serve them with their whole heart.
Stay undefiled, unsullied, unpolluted, by the spirit of bitterness. The world needs righteous people who are not bitter. As you pray for others, try not to pick up the offense – like ministering to the poor and not be offended at the rich. Or a younger generation who doesn’t show respect to their elders.
God cares about all issues. He doesn’t have opinions - He’s right. Simple as that. The enemy doesn’t care about your opinion either, as long as you leave Jesus out of it.
Hebrews 12:12; Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.
There’s a defiling effect of bitterness on one person to another. God is taking us to a place of love, care and influence. He can only do it if we don’t pick up offences and if you eat of criticism and accusation, you’re being poisoned. Criticism defiles us, bitterness defiles us, thoughts of accusation defile us.
You will manifest when you come around bitterness. It is catching. You’ll feel it. Your peace will leave you. There is no liberty for you outside of forgiveness. Pray for discernment and grace in every environment, including the environment of those who carry bitterness. Don’t allow that environment to permeate through to your soul.
You have to proactively counter bitterness with love and you have to do it purposely. Maintain your awe and respect to the other person. They’re not perfect, but neither are we. Pray aggressively for them and not against them.
There’s a reason the bible says whatever is true and lovely, think on these things. It’s to bring us into the presence of the Loving Father. We cannot afford to be influenced in any way by bitterness. Influence is given only to those who know how to forgive.
Do not give the enemy a place at your table!
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