The danger of Bitterness and the power of Forgiveness
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The danger of bitterness
The danger of bitterness
Ephesians 4:31–32 (NKJV)
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
As Believers we are told to put away bitterness, and be tenderhearted forgiving one another.
There is a reason why one verse is taking about bitterness and the next verse is talking about being tenderhearted and forgiving one another.
Bitterness hardens one’s heart, it makes you unkind to others. Forgiveness produces tenderness in the heart and releases compassion and mercy to one’s neighbour
Bitterness and forgiveness are polar opposite. One is overcome by the other.
Some people chose the way of bitterness rather than forgiveness. It is certainly the easier road but it certainly hard and destructive road.
The goal of today’s message, is to show you the dangers of bitterness and the power of forgiveness so that you would always chose the path of forgiveness rather than bitterness.
Keep in MInd the phrase “let all bitterness”
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
A root of bitterness can cause a lot of trouble.
Bitterness take the life of alot of people.
The Apostle Paul told us to put a way all bitterness.
Two Type of Bitterness that we see in the Bible.
Two Type of Bitterness that we see in the Bible.
Bitterness that comes out of envy/jeoulousy
Bitterness that come out of hurt.
Bitterness that comes out of Envy
Bitterness that comes out of Envy
James 3:13–16 (NKJV)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
James here mentions, bitterness that is comes out of envy/Jeously.
Bitterness is always asscoiated with selfseeking because a person who is bitter is always thinking about himself, his misfortune and etc.
he makes notes that the source or seed of this bitterness is demonic, it is sensual and earthtly
Hence its fruits are the fruits of evil.
Example of this root of bitterness being a source of many evil and troubles.
The first murder was caused by someone who was overtaken by bitterness towards his brother as a result of jelousy.
Genesis 4:3–8 (NKJV)
3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.
4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,
5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. (sometimes anger is a symptom of bitterness)
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” (this bitterness that you have is going to cause you to sin)
8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
Cain bittereness as a resutlt of envy, turned to hatred which led him to murder his brother.
His punishement
16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.
He is cast out from the presence of God, yet he still had not let go of that root of bitterness, he still had not repented for what he had done.
18 To Enoch was born Irad; and Irad begot Mehujael, and Mehujael begot Methushael, and Methushael begot Lamech.
Once since how this root of bitternes that was in the heart of cain being passed down all the way to the 5th generation.
23 Then Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me.
24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
Lamech kills a man because he hurt him, and basically boast about it.
lamech also introduces polygamy to mankind.
Eventually the violance, murder and pervesion will increase to the point that God would destroy the whole of mankind in Genesis six.
It all become with one man’s bitterness spreading in the hearts of others.
The scripture speaks very strongly against hatred which arises out of bitterness
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Hatred of one’s brother will blind you, cause you to do and say all kinds of things that are evil in the sight of God.
1 John 3:14–15 (NKJV)
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Here, the scripture reveal to us, in strong terms, that anyone hating his brother is a murder.
Hatred is a strong dislike towards someone.
If we have a storng dislike towards our brother or sister, the bibles says we are murderers.
Bitterness that come out of hurt.
Bitterness that come out of hurt.
Joseph and his brothers as an example
Genesis 49:22–24 (NKJV)
22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall.
23 The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him.
24 But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
Why is Joseph a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well,
Why are his branches runing over the wall.
Well his brothers bitter towards him, becuase he was the favourite child of their father. that Bitterness turned to hatred.
He was eventually sold to slavery by his own brothers. what a betrayel.
Noter: see how this bitterness not only affected they brother and themesleves but also the whole family.
They had to decieve their father and the whole people into believeing Joseph was dead rather then come clean and throw away their bitter hatred towards their brother.
Your bitterness will not only affect you but also those around you
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Joseph, on the other hand, refuse to continue this cycle of bitterness.
He refused to choose the way of bitterness but chose the way of forgiveness.
As a result he was a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by the well, his branches run over the wall (meaning his blessing run over).
This is the power of forgiveness, he did not allow bitterness to sack the life out of him, nor keep him from his destiny.
this also had an impact on his whole family.
His fathers spirit was restored, the whole tribe survived because Joseph had reached his destination and he would not have been the person he was of he had not forgiven his brethren.
Imagine what would have happen, if he was still bitter towards his brothers for what they did to hm, his position would have cause more harm that good.
His forgiving heart had also impact on Pharoah and his servants
15 Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.
16 Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well.
Pharoah and his servants were blessed as a result of this reconciliation that was birthed out of a heart of forgiveness.
Joseph was “fruitful bow by the well” because his well was well of forgiveness. It was a life giving well.
There is a well of bitterness, don’t let you well turn to bitter well. It will kill everything in its paths and it will sack out the life of everything.
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
23 Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
24 And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”
We have a God that can turn your bitter well, to sweet waters.
Well becomes bitter because it does not have any outflow. it does not release the water that comes in. It does not let go of things.
When we don’t forgive and let go, our life can be bitter. The water that ones gave life becomes a source of death.
It does not matter how much fresh water flows to it unless it has an outflow it will forever remain bitter.
You have to have an outflow, Joseph’s well had an outflow, therefore his well was life giving well, his well was a restoring well, his well was life changing well, his well was fruit giving well.
His brothers had a bitter well, and it was killing them and those who were around them.
25 Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure.
Bitterness not only sacks out life but also the pleasure of everything. It will eventually will kill you.
Abalom as an example
A horrible even takes place in Absalom life
2 Samuel 13:10–22 (NKJV)
10 Then Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand.” And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them to Amnon her brother in the bedroom.
11 Now when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, “Come, lie with me, my sister.”
12 But she answered him, “No, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing!
13 And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you.”
14 However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
15 Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her. And Amnon said to her, “Arise, be gone!”
16 So she said to him, “No, indeed! This evil of sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me.” But he would not listen to her.
17 Then he called his servant who attended him, and said, “Here! Put this woman out, away from me, and bolt the door behind her.”
18 Now she had on a robe of many colors, for the king’s virgin daughters wore such apparel. And his servant put her out and bolted the door behind her.
19 Then Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly.
20 And Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart.” So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.
21 But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.
22 And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
Absalom did not follow his own advice, he hated his brother.He allowed his hurt to turn to bitter hatred towards his brother. He chose not to take the path of Joseph, of forgiveness and letting God take vengence in his behalf.
In our humanistic undestanding, we can think that his hatred was justified because of the horrendous thing that Ammon did to his own half sister.
However consider the cost of Bitterness and see if it was worth it
28 Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.”
29 So the servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and each one got on his mule and fled.
Absalom commits murder, he took matters into his own hand and killed a man. fowllowed the footstep of Cain.
Absalom bitterness towards his father.
Absalom is banished from the presence of the King, from Jerusalm
After Sometimes he is allowed to return but when he returnes that bitterness had taken so deep a root nor he has turned to hate his own father.
So he began to scheme with some of the men of Judah inorder to overthrow King David from his throne.
2 Samuel 15:10–12 (NKJV)
10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ”
11 And with Absalom went two hundred men invited from Jerusalem, and they went along innocently and did not know anything.
12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.
Many people innocently followed him, they were being overtaken by his own bitterness. He was about to bring trouble to alot of people.
His coup woks out and he sits on his father throne.
He then commits a greater sin than his brother Ammon, by going in to his father’s concubines (wives) in broad daylight.
When you allow yourself to be bitter you will do more evil than those who were the cause of your bitterness .
Eventually he gathers all Israel and goes to war with His Father and his men.
He does not succeed. He was being chased by the men who were for KIng David, his hair got stack on e treee while his mule went on. he was hanging on that tree when Joab and the captian of David’s Army came and killed him.
2 Samuel 18:6–8 (NKJV)
6 So the people went out into the field of battle against Israel. And the battle was in the woods of Ephraim.
7 The people of Israel were overthrown there before the servants of David, and a great slaughter of twenty thousand took place there that day.
8 For the battle there was scattered over the face of the whole countryside, and the woods devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
20, 000 people died fighting having been infected by one’s man bitterness.
those who were with him died, Ahithophel killed himself.
Absalom died in disgrace because he chose to hold on to his bitterness instead of letting it go.
Luke 23:26–36 (NKJV)
26 Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.
27 And a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him.
28 But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’
30 Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’
31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?”
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.
33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.
34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”
36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine,
The bible says in the other Gospel account that some spit on him.
Jesus though he was Betrayed by his own desciples, crucified by those whom he had served and been a blessing for. He chose the way of forgiveness.
God chose the way of forgiveness. The power of the blood was released and we are standing here as the fruit of God’s forgiveness and mercy. The enemy wanted nothing but for God to hold us accountable to all the sins we have committed against him so we could be judged. However, God chose to forgive and have mercy on us.
The way of the cross is the way of forgiveness.
Through Christ we can learn to forgive and let go. For our own salvation.
Let us release the power of the cross by following Christ footstep, and forgiving others for whataver thing that they may have done against us.
Forgiveness is liberating, why will you allow bitterness to sack out every bit of life you have and eventually kill you and destroy everything that is around you.
Forgive. it does not matter if they ask forgivenes or not you are doing it for yourself.
Conclusion
Let us pray that God will help us to overcome bitterness.
Let us search our heart and see if there is a root of bitterness, and by the power of the spirit of God may we uproot it so we can receive healing and restoration from the water of life.
