Is That Baggage Getting Heavy

Bitterness is the spirit of resentment that fosters a perpetual animosity toward others or toward one’s circumstances.

THE PROGRESSION OF BITTERNESS

Wrath: The fierce explosion springing from a perceived wrong

Anger: An internal smoldering or deep-seated hostility.

Yelling or shouting which demonstrates loss of control.

Evil-speaking: Verbal assault designed to wound another or harm their reputation.

Malice: The harboring of ill-will or intent to do harm.

THE PROBLEM OF BITTERNESS

Bitterness will keep you in bondage.

Acts 8:23 KJV 1900

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Exodus 1:14 KJV 1900

And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

The object of your bitterness is never more miserable than you.

Bitterness comes from a bad place

James 3:14–15 KJV 1900

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

It does not come from God

-God is never going to say “Yep, I’m good with you being bitter about that. Go for it!”

It is the way of the lost world

It is the response of the flesh

It’s source is the devil

Bitterness will not only trouble you, but will impact others as well

Hebrews 12:15 KJV 1900

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;

THE PICTURE OF BITTERNESS

“Naomi” - pleasant; “Mara” - bitter

Bitterness causes her to question the motives of others. ()

Bitterness causes her to lose a spiritual perspective. ()

Bitterness causes her to wallow in self-pity. ()

Bitterness causes her to lose perspective on her situation. ()

Bitterness causes her to blame God for her problems. (, )

THE PRESCRIPTION FOR OVERCOMING BITTERNESS

Recognize that you’re bitter (; )

Hebrews 12:15 KJV 1900

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;

Remember God’s goodness (; )

Psalm 119:68 KJV 1900

Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

Romans 8:28–29 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:28 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Reflect on the real cause of your circumstances. (; )

Elimelech “My God is King” forgot his God was king and took matters into his own hands.

He left Bethlehem (the house of bread) because of his circumstances. -He dies as a result

His sons married wives they shouldn’t have married

-they remain in Moab for 10 yrs (vs. 4) - the famine didn’t last that long. - they die in Moab

God didn’t do this to your family, your family did this to your family!

Reconcile with others by extending forgiveness. ()

Ephesians 4:32 KJV 1900

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.