Bitterness

BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENT

Problem:

Allowing an offense towards us or disappointment to germinate in our hearts, many times coloring our thoughts and actions both consciously and subconsciously.  It is characterized by an unforgiving spirit and generally negative, critical attitudes.

Biblical Statement:

Bitterness and resentment are sinful and self-defeating.  Love dispels them.  Harbored they destroy, destruct and kill

 Galatians 5:19-20 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions (NIV)

Scripture:

Hebrews 12:14-15 14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:3132 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. (NIV)

1 Peter 2:23 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. (NIV)

Luke 23:34 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV)

Matthew 6:14-15 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV)

Romans 12:14-21 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

Counsel:

Minister salvation, repentance if necessary and ask audience to be rid of these emotions.  No one can be happy with peace in the heart with such emotions tearing at them. 

If the listener is a Christian they can ask God to forgive him/her for being bitter and resentful.  Then they need to ask God to forgive the one(s) toward whom they are bitter or resentful, even as He forgives the person(s).

If a person still has a fear of facing the person(s) resented, perhaps deliverance from fear is needed.

Prayer:

Father, I acknowledge that I=ve held resentment and bitterness against (name the person(s)).  I confess this as sin and ask you to forgive me.  I forgive (name the person(s).  Help me Lord to not hold any more resentment and bitterness, but rather to love the person(s).  Father, I ask you to also forgive (their name).  Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.  In Jesus= name, Amen.

References/Homework:

Bitterness                   Hatred                        Envy               Malice (desire to see others suffer)

Acts 8:23                    Lev. 19:17                   Psa. 37:1         1 Cor. 5:8; 14:20

Rom. 3:14                   Prov. 10:12                 Prov. 3:31       Col. 3:8

Eph. 4:31                    Prov. 16:17                 Prov. 23:17     1 Pet. 2:1

Heb. 12:15                  1 John 2:9                   Gal. 5:26         Ester 3:6

James 3:14                  1 John 4:20                 Gen. 26:14      Psa. 140:3

Matt. 27:18     Isa. 59:5

Matt. 27:23

John 12:10

Acts 7:54