Bitterness or Brokenness

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Bitterness can turn your heart away from God

Hebrews 12:15 NASB95

15 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;

Is bitterness a choice?

Why do we get bitter?

James 3:13–14 NASB95

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

Things that can lead to bitterness

Unforgiveness

Lack of grace

Rejection

Anger

Judgement

Wrong suffered

Looking at others faults

Proverbs 17:22 NASB95

22 A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 14:30 NASB95

30 A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.

Brokenness

What does it mean to be broken?

“In pieces and out of control”

You can’t be useful until you are broken

What does it take to be broken?

The value of being broken

Psalm 51:17 NASB95

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 34:18 NASB95

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 147:3 NASB95

3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.

God’s call for us

Isaiah 61:1 NASB95

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

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