No Room for Bitterness

Recently, I heard something on the news that caused great disdain to rise up in my heart. Thankfully, in His mercy, the Lord was able to get my attention . . . Let’s not fool ourselves! Even if those relationships are distant and not so personal, whenever we entertain bitterness towards another, the enemy always wins.

Truly, when we are passionate about something, anger can rise up towards ones who we feel are opposing it. Passion is good—the Lord delights in our whole-hearts! Yet, we must ever be on guard against that thing we are warned can defile us.

The apostle Paul warned:

“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15 NASB)

Most importantly, however, Jesus issued us the standard:

“‘But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.’” (Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV)

“‘And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.’” (Mark 11:25-26 NKJV)

Surely then, there is no room for bitterness if we profess to follow Christ. Jesus’s walk was, for us, the example—and the standard He set for love is high (Jn. 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:6).

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
(1 John 2:6 NKJV)