Last Updated on February 16, 2023 6:58 PM by herald
None of us likes the ever increasing annoyances that seem to come along with this life. Even as we write this, it looks as though there are more annoyances on the way: more food shortages, new diseases, higher prices. The Bible calls these annoyances “tribulations” or “trouble”.
We do not have to wonder if we will have tribulations. Jesus told us in advance that we would.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 6:33 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)
The tribulations of life have always had the potential to make us bitter. According to the dictionary, to be bitter is to be “unpleasant”, “hostile”, “harsh”, “sour”; we could go on but I am sure you get the point.
With the exception of those in the “gall of bitterness” themselves, no one likes a bitter person around! Misery loves company!
But what happens when that bitter person is you or me? That is a different matter altogether!
Pervasive
It is very easy to get bitter. It comes easily when you have done your best only to find that you have not received the reward. It can come from the hurt you feel when you have put your trust in a contractor only to find that he has run off with your hard-earned money. Bitterness seems inevitable when the one you love runs off with your best friend leaving you with a broken heart.
All of these things come out of what our late brother Derek Prince called, “life’s bitter pool”. So, if we did not list your particular annoyance or tribulation above, take what little comfort there is in the fact that we could spend the rest of this article giving examples!
If you want a poetic litany of some of the things that can make you bitter, try Howard Jones’ No One Ever is to Blame. Here is a sample of the verses of that song:
You can build a mansion but you can’t live in it;
You’re the fastest runner but you’re not allowed to win
Some break the rules and let you cut the cost
The insecurity is the thing that won’t get lost
Automatic or Inevitable?
It is important to make it clear that bitterness is a response to our experiences. Therefore, although it may be an automatic response for you at this point in time, it is not an inevitable response!
The scary thing about bitterness is that it can cause us to develop a soul-tarnishing, gratitude-stifling hardness of attitude which alienates us not only from friends, family and co-workers but also from the Lord. The writer of the Hebrews warned of this in chapter 12 verse 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. Hebrews 12:15
It is clear that the writer was thinking about the spill over of bitterness from one person to another, perhaps in the context of a congregation. In this case we have a progression where bitterness is the cause of trouble and this trouble leads to defilement which can mean “degradation”, disrespect”, “contamination”, “dishonour”, “corruption”.
There is just no end to the damage bitterness can do to others. It is a domino effect that creates a vicious whirlpool. Mixed metaphors aside, there is no more appropriate time to use the phrase: “nip it in the bud” than when we see the first signs of the root of bitterness!
Self-inflicted
Bitterness can also do great damage to the one holding it. It cuts off communication with others, stifles the spirit and worse of all, it spreads like a cancer.
Indeed, it is perhaps the case that some people with physical cancers started off with a bitter spirit because of something that happened.
Bitterness is to the spiritual body what a cancer is to the physical body. Body and spirit are inextricably intertwined so it is really bordering on the foolhardy to be skeptical about this.
Waxing Cold
Before we talk about how to deal with bitterness as a believer, it is important that we point out something prophetic and scary that Jesus himself said about bitterness, albeit indirectly. In Matthew 24:12 Jesus makes this very profound statement:
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. Matt 24:12 NIV
The New King James Version (NKJ) puts it this way: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold”.
In contrast, the New Living Translation (NLT) reports it as” “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold”.
Clearly the NLT version is missing something here; the other translations are indicating a cause-and-effect relationship between lawlessness (sin) and the waning of love by retaining the word “because”.
It is clear that Jesus is talking primarily about love for Him; the following statement “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved” tells us that unmistakably.
The lawlessness in the world demonstrated so well by people like Joe Biden, Obama, Hilary Clinton and Chuck Schumer in the USA as well as by governments and legal systems across the world have the power, if we let it, to cause us to blame God for the misery, suffering and injustice in the world.
Once we do that, a root of bitterness against God sets in and if we do nothing about it, for us the race is over. We have lost and we will lose our souls. Bitterness cannot enter heaven.
The fastest question that people can ask today is: “Why did God let this happen? To think that you can feel so justified as to be angry at God because your spouse cheated on you, you lost that child you always wanted, the lawyers took your land or the broker absconded with your life savings is VERY scary.
Bitterness is a terrible sin. There are those who will boast that they have never told a lie, cheated on anyone or have been unkind. Yet they may be harbouring bitterness.
Bad things do happen to good people so the possibility of a root of bitterness springing up is very real.
The First Pool
The first instance of human bitterness is recorded in the book of Genesis. It is the story of Cain and Abel. You know it well. The root of bitterness was Cain’s jealousy over Abel’s offering. Cain was overtaken by negative emotions of disappointment and anger which eventually led to his killing of Abel. But here is what God had to say to Cain about the matter even before he committed that heinous act which became the fist murder:
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4: 6 – 7 NIV.
People are fond of blaming Lucifer for all their troubles and mistakes. In a sense they are right but what they often forget is that God gave us the power of choice. This is what God was saying to Cain.
Having said that though, we need to understand that Lucifer (Satan) was the first non-human to demonstrate bitterness. It was for being thrown out of heaven after his great rebellion. Not only was he thrown out of heaven but, unlike Adam and Eve who were made in God’s image, no provision was made of his redemption. He is truly a loser.
Since Lucifer has nothing else to lose, you can understand why he chose to pick on the first humans to try to make them bitter against God. In his thinking, there is no better way to extract revenge on God! And that has been his relentless strategy all through the ages even until now.
Dealing with Bitterness
Things are not going to get better in the world. So we really have to guard our spirits against bitterness. God does not ask us to do things we cannot. The problem is that too often we try to do them WITHOUT his help.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. Mark 10:27 NIV
There is a 100:1 chance you will mess up if you try to do anything without God’s help. Abraham messed up when he acceded to Sarah to have a child with Hagar their servant. They could not wait for the promised son, Isaac. After thousands of years, we are still trying to fix that mess. Witness the Abrahamic Accords in our time!
The good news is that it was never God’s plan to have us do things without his help. It is always the plan that we be “co-workers with Him”(1 Corinthians 3:9). That calls for a daily “working relationship” with Him. You can go to church every time it is open but have no such relationship.
Now let’s see how we are going to treat to this “root of bitterness“.
Step #1: Recognize it for what it is. The first step in dealing with bitterness is to recognize it. We live in an era where people are told to keep a straight face and look brave. All the time they are fuming or hurting inside. That is the way of the world. If you find you have any of the symptoms mentioned earlier – unpleasantness, hostility, harshness, sourness – it is time to dig deeper. Ask the Lord to help you because you can rest assured he will be gently point out things to you. But you have to be honest with yourself!
Step #2: Acknowledge / confess it to God. Nothing gets changed without confession.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV
Let’s be clear that the roots of bitterness are always there. They are always ready to send out new shoots. So we have to dig them up. So after the forgiveness there is need for the purification.
Step #3: Apply the cure. The only cure for bitterness is the hope and love of God that is “shed abroad in our hearts”:
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. Romans 5:5 BSB.
Hope and love are the weed killer for the root of bitterness!
But we cannot manufacture either of them because, as the verse above suggests, they come from the Holy Spirit and that means we must have a relationship with Him.
Hope is the sense of confidence that things will be alright, that “all things will work together for our good”. Irrespective of what is going on in the world, as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, you are afforded rights, privileges and protections just as in an earthly Kingdom. That alone should help us quiet our spirits. The King of Heaven does not renege on those rights, privileges and protections as earthly presidents, prime ministers and leaders often do.
There is nothing that has been lost that cannot be found; nothing stolen that cannot be replaced; nothing so far gone that it cannot be recovered. It matters not whether it is your job, car, partner, child, love relationship. God is not only a creator but also a restorer. This writer is speaking from experience, not theory.
Step #4: Make Jesus Lord. That is a nice, trite, religious phrase that we use ever so often, especially in church. As a matter of fact, in witnessing to others we often enjoin them to do just that.
Too often though, if we are honest, we would find that Jesus is not Lord of OUR lives. A lord is one who has absolute authority. In the case of Jesus, that is so because he has been given all power and authority.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matt 28:18 NIV
If “Lord” is too clichéd or corny, try Master, Director, Manager. But the question still remains: Is Jesus Master, Director, Manager of your life? Do you ask him about decisions you have to make? Relationships you are about to get into? More importantly, do you listen for his replies? He does speak, you know! Are you listening?
One of the things I have had to learn practically is how to turn things over to Jesus and let Him manage them. Several weeks later He reminded me about the second part of the bargain: taking His yoke. Here are those Scriptures which we quote ever so often:
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. I Peter 5:7 NLT
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28 Berean Standard Bible
Remember the story of Mary and Martha? Mary wanted to spend time listening to Jesus whereas Martha wanted her to help in the kitchen. Here is Jesus’ response:
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 42 BSB
That is a very loaded statement, if ever these was one and the reader should spend time trying to unpack what it means as well as what it DOES NOT mean.
All that we are saying boils down to this: we are always going to be threatened by some root of bitterness. We are in a war but every day is a different battle or set of battles. When you were asleep others were fighting their daily battles. Heaven never sleeps, so directions, resources and weapons keep pouring into the hands of all those at war. That would be us and all the angels sent to help us.
Actually, if you think about it, these are very exciting times; trying at times, but very exciting! Every day is a different battle or set of battles. So we need fresh instructions, guidance, support, reinforcements for each day. Yesterday’s supplies will definitely not serve for today! That is the nature of war!
But it is one thing to be attacked from the outside; it is quite another if we let bitterness overtake us from the inside. We will crumble without a single shot being fired from the outside.
Many are anxiously waiting for the rapture because they want to escape the troubles of this life. That attitude is not scriptural.
What is scriptural is that we have all the resources to live a peaceful and godly life even when the storms are raging around us. So we do not need to fear, be anxious, be perpetually depressed or angry or bitter. We can actually step away from life’s bitter pool!
My wife and I have made this our leading daily confession is 2 Peter 1:3-4.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you [we] may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you [we] have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 BSB
People make having faith seem very difficult but is is rather simple. Faith is having confidence in God’s promises because “God not a man that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). Again:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJ
That is why the verses quoted above (2 Peter 1:3-4.) are so critical. You cannot have faith in God without knowing his promises. God’s promises are sprinkled all over His Word. The first thing is to truly believe them. The next step is actively living by them; every day! That is how we will escape life’s bitter pool and know “the peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Shalom!
Aldon D. Tull
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