What Does the Bible Say about Bitterness?

What does the Bible say about bitterness? Hebrews 12:12-15 has been one of those life-changing passages for me!

I was blessed to grow up in the church. While I consider this experience a blessing, the early years of my life were influenced by people in the church who did not reflect the values that the bride of Christ should display.

Fortunately, God covered those experiences in my heart with His grace. I did not see those experiences as proof that God is not real or that He is not alive and active.

I simply saw people who didn’t have Jesus in them as much as others. I was not angry or discouraged about it. Sometimes I was persecuted, but I was not destroyed because of the church.

One of the good things that God brought out of those experiences was a deep awareness that God’s people can be full or empty of the Holy Spirit, can walk with God or not.

I have seen that our involvement with the Holy Spirit changes us in a tangible way. And this led me to search for ways of growth that would ensure the greater presence of God in my life.

Spiritual growth is an interesting dance. This is the fruit of grace in our lives, and yet we are not called to sit idly by. A plethora of books have been written to illuminate the path of growth for us.

Reading the Bible, praying, worshiping, and fellowshipping with other believers are all cornerstones of spiritual growth. However, there is a certain element of mystery when it comes to spiritual growth.

Puberty does not always follow expected paths. But one thing is certain, God’s grace always comes first in this process.

Below are three things that bitterness can keep us from doing what God intended for us:

1. Receive grace according to the Bible

Psalm 12:12-15 is one of the few passages in the Bible where God shows us how we can close our hearts to receiving His grace—bitterness.

Our hearts can only hold so many things at a time, and we often overestimate our capacity. God did not design our hearts to hold unforgiveness or bitterness next to His grace.

In a way, darkness flees from light, grace drives unforgiveness out of our soul space. If we choose to cling to unforgiveness (which turns into bitterness), we say “no” to God’s grace in our lives—both for others and for ourselves.

It infects us and others when we cling to our right to feel unforgiven. “Be careful that no one misses the benefit of God’s grace, and that no root of bitterness sprouts up and defiles you and corrupts many” (Hebrews 15:12).

The word of God tells us that the forgiveness of sins is tied to the forgiveness of others by us!

“For if you forgive people their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

Matthew 6:14-15 is another passage where we see that grace for growth depends on how we respond to God’s grace in general. It is easy for us to accept God’s grace in our lives, but His grace is not. It is a kind of omnipresent power in our life.

This is not meant to hoard us and not share. It doesn’t work that way. Therefore, if we want God’s grace to advance our growth in Christ, it is wise to examine what we are doing for others with His grace in our hearts.

2. Participation in the community based on the Bible

Another important aspect of the Hebrews verse is that one person’s bitterness can affect the whole community. “Be careful that no one is deprived of God’s grace, and that no bitter root sprouts and contaminates you and corrupts many” (verses 12-14, with emphasis).

In church communities and families, bitterness is a spiritual stronghold.

“But whatever I have forgiven – I have forgiven you and in the presence of Christ – so that the devil does not boast about us, because we are not ignorant of his intentions” (2 Corinthians 2:10-11).

“Do not sin in your anger; do not let the sunset find you angry, and do not give Satan a place” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

If instead of acknowledging the pain and need for help to forgive someone, we wallow in our right to be hurt, angry, hurt, etc., the enemy gains a foothold in our lives—a military base.

I create enough problems for myself without inviting the enemy into my life! I want to close every gap, every crack or broken space that the enemy might try to get.

3. To forgive and be forgiven according to the Bible

Forgiveness has been at the center of this process of protecting my life. And in return, the more grace flows into our lives, the more the fruit of grace grows in us.

Now, lest there be any misunderstanding, reconciliation and forgiveness are two different spiritual/emotional/relational processes.

Forgiveness is a personal process that takes place between a person and God. It does not require the offended person to interact with the wrongdoer. And we thank God for this!

Since forgiveness is so important to cleansing our souls, if we had to wait for the wrongdoer to be available or willing to receive our forgiveness, we could be waiting a lifetime—or even putting ourselves in terrible harm. Considering the persecutors and their ilk. Forgiveness is a healing process that takes place between us and our God.

Today in the article : What Does the Bible Say about Bitterness? We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity