Last Updated on December 19, 2025 5:26 AM by herald
Cause and Effect
What we are suggesting is that there is a potential cause and effect link between the tribulation Jesus talked about in John 6:63 and bitterness on the one hand. Then there is another cause and effect link between bitterness and the love of people to God “growing cold” on the other.
In other words, bitterness could easily be described as one of those “little foxes that spoil the vines” in Song of Solomon 2:15. Given that it is so important, what is “bitterness”? Why is it an issue? Is it a sin itself? How do we known when we are infected with bitterness?
According to the dictionary, to be bitter is to be “unpleasant”, “hostile”, “harsh”, “sour”; “resentful” etc. Bitterness is a strange mix of emotions and thoughts. Scientists have not yet been able to decipher which comes first: emotions or thoughts. According to Psychology Today, it is Psychology’s, “chicken or the egg” problem.
But if the words of Jesus in Matthew 15:18 are anything to go by, we could put our money on the latter (thoughts) being the prime mover. More on that in Part 2.
There is no one metaphor that aptly describes bitterness; but Scripture says that bitterness starts out as root, not a seed. That is instructive. Very instructive!
In elementary Biology we learn that when a plant germinates the first part that emerges is the root. That means a seed was already planted. Shortly, we are going to learn where the seed of bitterness comes from and why it is in all of us!
But let’s get back to our cause-and-effect analysis.
Inevitable or Volitional?
We do not have to wonder if we are going to have tribulations. Jesus told us in advance that we would in John 16:63. What we need to pay attention to is the fact that the tribulations of life always have the potential to make us bitter. It is very easy to get bitter. But it is often very hard to recognize bitterness, far less acknowledge it.
- Bitterness comes easily when you have done your best only to find that you have not received the expected reward or promotion.
- Bitterness can come from the hurt you feel when you have put your trust in a building contractor only to find that he has run off with your hard-earned money.
- Bitterness is the unpleasantness, hostility, sourness or resentment you feel when the one you love runs off with your best friend leaving you with a broken heart.
- Bitterness is the anger and withdrawal you feel when you lose your only son or daughter or other family member to a rare disease or to a drunk driver.
- Bitterness can come when a man feels his wife is more successful than he is (or vice versa!)
If you do not see your particular “tribulation” listed above, take what little comfort there is in the fact that we could spend the rest of this article giving examples!
Bad things do happen to good people so the possibility of a root of bitterness springing up is very real. And although it may be an automatic response for many at the point of impact, its development into a full-grown plant is not inevitable: on the contrary, it is volitional because it depends on the choice one makes. Bitterness, in fact, is a response to our experiences.
The reason why many will grow cold towards God in the end time is because they see God as the CAUSE of everything under the sun. God is to blame for all the misery, suffering and injustice in the world. Therefore, the fastest question that both non-Christians and Christians will ask in the end time is: “Why did God let this happen to me (us)?
If they are not blaming God, people blame Lucifer or Satan for their troubles. In a general sense they are right. But what we often forget is that we get into a mess because of our own stupidity or desire or mindlessness. If you really want to know who is to blame, James 1: 13 – 15 and 1 Peter 4:15 are mandatory reading!
Page 4: Cancerous and Contagious
