When our kids were young, Lou and I, along with other couples, began a “young couples” group at our church. Now, we would be called the “old couples” group… LOL. In this group, there was a wonderful couple… a couple all of us admired. They were strong together. They loved each other. They were actively involved in our group and led by their example. After we moved, I had lost contact with “Denise” over the years. One day, I found her on Facebook and we began go talk. It turns out that she and her husband were divorced. My heart grieved for her as I began to listen to her story. Something happened with her husband’s business partner…. I think his partner may have stolen from him. In essence, he lost his business. This sent him down a dark hole… he became agitated, disgruntled, snapping at his wife, criticizing her about everything. Eventually, their marriage crumbled under it all.
I believe that he became very bitter. The writer of Hebrews speaks about bitterness when he writes in Hebrews 12:15: “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” I believe that bitterness is a huge problem among Christians… but a problem that can be fixed. Let’s examine three things about bitterness from this verse.
Bitterness is a root! It began as a seed… meaning it started with something that happened to you. Maybe a word said to you, a horrible act done against you, a terrible situation you found yourself in. Maybe because of what happened, you have lost a lot… money, your family, your self-worth, your peace, etc. Here’s the thing… roots grow when they’re nourished. And if we allow bitterness to grow, then it can become a full-blown tree that will eventually take over your heart… a tree with rotted fruit.
Bitterness causes us trouble! When bitterness rises to the surface, we become disgruntled, discontented, anxious, dissatisfied, unsettled, and agitated. Bitterness robs us of joy and abundant living. We end up living in a dark place rather than the light of Christ.
Bitterness affects everyone! When bitterness grows, eventually it will come out through our words and actions. It will be nasty to others… snapping at people, arguing with people, grumbling and complaining. A root of bitterness is known to spew hatred rather than the love of Christ.
I think you’re nodding in agreement at this because you’ve witnessed it or perhaps, you are the one with bitterness. The writer of Hebrews says, “Watch out that it doesn’t grow.” Make sure you don’t nurture it by listening to Satan’s lies (he doesn’t want us to live victoriously – he wants us bitter), or by letting these things fester. If you recognize a root of bitter, then stop nurturing it because then it will die. Or yank it up by the roots and get rid of it. Cutting it off at the ground doesn’t get rid of it because the roots are still there. We may think we’re free but then something happens that reminds us of the hurt and pain, and the roots begin to sprout again. Jesus has offered us the ability to be free. Let’s take advantage of it.