An article on facebook recently asked the question is bitterness a sin? We believe it is. It is a bitter root in the heart that takes over mind, body, soul and heart much like a morning glory weed covers a plant and suffocates the life out of it. A morning glory weed vine is beautiful to look at but “this hummingbird-attracting plant is an aggressive grower that can quickly strangle desirable plants. Controlling this innocent-looking vine takes determination, time and multiple control methods.”(Gardening site)
Bitterness is the same. Spreads rapidly and chokes the life out of everything it touches.
A man recently allowed bitterness to grow and consume him and then turned headlong into a self destruct course that threatened to leave nothing but scorched earth. Only the strong faith of one saved those around him. This was in our personal life. Look at the public and you will see nothing but this bitter root spreading like wildfire.
There’s a reason the apostle Paul warned us to rid ourselves of all bitterness, malice and vengeance. There’s a reason that a bitter root is mentioned so many times. Take this passage from Deuteronomy (29:18) Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; (a state or source of bitterness or grief)
Bitterness is often associated with great hatred and revenge. If you harbor these feelings you’re not honoring God. You’re honoring a false god. God will not bless a bitter heart.
So we can destroy lives now families, and reputations with a simple accusation? This is a prime example of bitterness and vigilante justice. When people care more about exacting revenge and replace our Justice system with public floggings and humiliation they are not honoring God. They are not following the Gospel of Christ period. They are committing egregious sins against God turning to worldly lust. Yes lust. Lusting in their heart after another’s reputation and works leads to cultivating bitterness and unrighteous judgements. It is threatening the very soul of America and the world. Led by the demonic gods of today.
Jesus said the time would come when the love of many would grow cold, and as we look around today with all the road rage and hate crimes increasing, it’s easy to see the bitterness engulfing the world. Even though we view hate around us we are to be the light that shines in the darkness, and not grieve the Holy Spirit by putting bitterness and evil away from us! (Ephesians 4:21-32) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. !
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (Hebrews 12:14-17).
