An often overlooked verse in God’s Word is Hebrews 12:15 (NIV), “See to it that no one misses the grace of God, and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and to defile many.” The root of bitterness, what a powerful picture! Once bitterness takes root in a life it just keeps going deeper and deeper until it poisons all of life. It is a sad portrayal to hear someone described as a “bitter person”.
Many successful people cannot enjoy their success because of bitterness against another. I have known families where people haven’t spoken to one another for years because of bitterness birthed in the settling of a family estate.
Some of the most bitter people can be found in the church; a sad, contradictory situation when it exists. Some of these situations go far back in family history.
Bitterness is a poison. It can put a cloud in any sunny sky! It can rain on any parade! The cancer of bitterness is like other cancer; sometimes hard to detect by the individual until it has already killed a spirit or a relationship. Deuteronomy 29:18 warns that this bitter root can eventually turn your heart away from God. Colossians 3:19 specifically tells husbands not to be bitter toward their wives. Buried hurts or unresolved conflicts can finally give birth to a bitter spirit.
Bitterness can only be cured by radical surgery. David, the Psalmist of Israel, was tempted to bitterness. He prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:10) This cure for bitterness is available. If you suspect that bitterness has crept into your life, and if you have a trusted friend who will be honest with you, just ask them if you are showing signs of a bitter spirit.
“Regardless of how badly people treated You, Lord Jesus, You never
returned bitterness for meanness. Oh, to be like You! Amen”
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