When bitterness takes root in the human heart, it wreaks havoc. Bitterness consumes and changes every aspect of the one who harbors it. The effects are insidiously quiet and go unnoticed at first, but eventually bitterness overtakes the soil of the soul so that nothing good may grow there. It kills every good thing with which it comes into contact.
Bitterness consumed Naomi to the point that she allowed it to change her identity. She insisted that others call her Mara, meaning bitter, and she blamed the Lord for her suffering. (Her suffering was immense. Her husband and both her sons died within a short period of time. In her bitterness, she attributed blame to the Almighty.) Satan delights in sowing bitter thoughts amidst life’s hardships and when we are at our most vulnerable. Naomi was in mourning, and she had lost so much. Her overwhelming grief made her heart ripe for bitterness to sprout.
20 “Don’t call me Naomi,[a]” she told them. “Call me Mara,[b] because the Almighty[c] has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the Lordhas brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted[d]me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” Ruth 1:20-21 (NIV)
Job was a righteous man who endured terrible pain and grief. He too, experienced the suffocation of bitterness.
“I loathe my very life;
therefore I will give free rein to my complaint
and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. Job 10:1(NIV)
The subtle roots of bitterness bloomed into hatred of his own life. In despair, Job recognized that he spoke from a bitter soul within.
In the New Testament, Peter identified bitterness as the cause of a man named Simon’s intense greed. Simon was a magician. He saw the miraculous transformation of those who received the Holy Spirit after the apostles laid their hands on them. Simon sought to purchase this power from the apostles for his own gain.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” Acts 8:18-23 (NIV)
Bitterness is a prison no matter how it originates. Its seeds may be planted in many ways. Bitterness can sneak in through the emotional turmoil of grief and pain, but it can also come from lack of acknowledgement for one’s efforts, the drive for self-sufficiency, and wounds inflicted by harsh words.
Each heart knows its own bitterness,
and no one else can share its joy. Proverbs 14:10 (NIV)
Proverbs shows us that no one is immune to bitterness. It will attempt to corrupt the soil of all our hearts, and it is one of the enemy’s most versatile and effective weapons. We must guard our souls carefully against bitterness and the threat it poses to tear us apart.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32 (NIV)
Ask the Lord to reveal any pockets of bitterness that deaden your soul. Till the soil and ask Him to help make it fruitful and good again.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
The Lord is faithful. He will not allow bitterness to have the last word over your heart. Rely on Him to fight your battles rather than becoming resentful of life’s circumstances. While this is easier said than done, spiritual growth, renewal, and healing from bitterness takes daily effort. Bitterness dims our joy and steals our hope. The fight against bitterness is worth waging, and with the Lord on our side, we know we are more than conquerors.
Grace and peace friends!
A.A. Wordsmith
Selah Vie! 