Today’s Reading:
Hebrews 12:14-15
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you; and thereby may be defiled:” Hebrews 12:15 KJV)
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15) Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
(NLT)
“After years of wrestling with my own struggle, and watching other people, I have come to see how the Root of Bitterness becomes a destructive force in People”
Rocky Fleming
Worshipers at the temple are familiar with the ceremonial cleansing ritual that precedes worship, and they know the importance of cleanliness and holiness before entering into the Temple. In the same vein, we must approach the presence of God with pureness of heart, holiness and humility so that sin will not block our vision of God (Ps. 24:3,4). We should handle anger thoughtfully immediately with wisdom so that it does not control us, thereby hurting others and destroying relationships with others. Anger gives the enemy a foothold, legal ground to afflict us (Eph. 4:26, 27). As much as possible, we are to be at peace with all men (Rom. 12:18). Our relationship with God determines our relationship with others, especially those of the household of God. Even where we do not feel loving towards any, we must pursue peace as we grow spiritually (v. 14).
Bitterness is a tool in the hand of the enemy to steal, to kill and to destroy lives, destinies, marriages, families, societies, communities, name it, even in the house of God. According to Adrian Rogers, a pastor, teacher and an author, bitterness blows out the candle of joy, and leaves the soul in darkness. Many people, unaware are chained in the prison of bitterness which manifests in different ways. Some people can be sarcastic and filled with anger. They may have good intentions, but are hard to believe, harsh, critical and judgemental. Others are very cool, aloof or even diffident. They simply go their own way, politely indifferent to people, however, they have the air that they don’t need people but their problems lie deep down inside of them. While yet others are solemn, wallowing in self-pity, always filled with moroseness, sad, but are eaten up with bitterness.
What is root of bitterness, and how can it defile many?
Bitterness is like a small root that grows into a very big tree. It occurs when we nurse grudges, brood over past hurts, allow disappointment to linger thereby causes resentment. Bitterness is caused by jealousy, unforgiveness, ungodly pride or self-righteousness. It springs up in the heart and overshadows the deepest relationships, even Christian relationships. It is a spiritual cancer which if left uncured, will destroy life and will reproduce itself in the lives of others. Like a cryptic demon, the insidious root is hidden from the view of others until it starts to manifest in transferred aggression, in deepest infatuations that turn to hatred, evil spoken words, cursing, views expressed with negative actions, and then a change in personality. At this stage, it is full grown in outward expression. This is why the author of Hebrews in today’s reading states that, “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble any or corrupt many.” The root of bitterness is poisonous and contagious. This root can pass down from parents to children, to children’s children, if not removed.
Before there can be a root of bitterness (v. 15), there must be the seed that will germinate, and this seed is the hurt sustained. The hurt could be intentional, or unintentional, and in many cases, it is imaginary. It may even be chastisement of God upon a person. Our heart is the battle field of the enemy, so we should not give the devil a place in our heart and should be aware of its wiles. Forgiveness is very important in our walk with God, we deal with any hurt immediately. The soil is the human heart which is desperately wicked, and deceitful (Jer. 17:9). The heart wants to retaliate, to revenge a hurt, it wants to deal with somebody to peg his/her wings. The heart, the seat of our emotion is angry and would not rest until it takes action. A heart that harbours hostility and does not deal with hurt by the grace of God would fall into temptation. Once the hurt is in place, the embittered person becomes very sensitive, very touchy, very edgy, starts to look for ways to criticise, and look for faults to justify the accusations.
The fruits of the growth are bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, which we should take away from us so that the devil will not take advantage of us (Eph. 4:30). Wrath is the internal heat of hurt that snowballs into out-burst of anger, and several other chain reactions with which it defiles other people and the environment. It hinders spiritual growth. It destroys the body, soul, and spirit; and affects the physical, spiritual and emotional being. Bitterness controls the thoughts everywhere the person goes – in the office, in groups, at home, in marriage, in the church. It breeds hate and resentment. The embittered person does not always show gratitude, and is not always sincere. He/she finds it very difficult to forgive, exhibits mood swings, is self-centred and very proud.
What do I do?
Admit that you need help and pray that God should reveal the hidden root of bitterness in you (Ps. 139:23, 24), because it is very easy to disguise emotions and feelings.
Ask God for forgiveness of sins. And in order to benefit from the grace of God, it is advised you surrender your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ, if you have not done so.
Ask for grace and mercy of God to uproot it. Even when God reveals the roots, grace is needed to give the desire and power of God to do His will.
Forgive those who hurt you. When you forgive, you set yourself free from bondage and the person that hurt you also.
When the Holy Spirit fills the heart, the root is removed, the hurt/wound soothed and healed and the person is restored (v. 15).
Wear love as a garment all the time because love binds all together; as much as possible be at peace with all men.
Wherever you are, whatever you do, seek the presence of God always in prayer.
Daily read, and meditate upon the word of God.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Oh Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens? Out of the mouth of babes and suckling hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightiest still the enemy and the avenger.
Father thank You for the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the sweet Fellowship of the Holy Spirit upon our lives.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Oh Lord, keep me back from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me; then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression, in Jesus’ name.
Oh Lord, forgive me, deliver me from all guilt, remove the root of bitterness from me, sooth and heal my wound/fracture, restore me and transform my heart, in Jesus’ name.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, renew a right, humble and teachable spirit within me, in Jesus’ name.
Oh Lord, visit the hurting, the helpless and homeless, let the blood of Jesus destroy the root of bitterness, redeem them and let them partake of the joy of Your Salvation, in Jesus’ name.
Oh Lord rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave. Weep over the erring one, Lift up the fallen. Open their ears, heal their minds, give them understanding of the Gospel and turn their heart to you, in Jesus’ name.
Lord, in the face of persecution, give courage. Empower the body of Christ to boldly and fearlessly preach the Gospel to the unpreached, in Jesus’ name.
Oh Shepherd of Israel, thou that leads Joseph like a flock, thou that dwells within the cherubim, stir up yourself, look down from heaven and shine your light on our nation, and we shall be saved.
Comments