The Destructive Power of Bitterness

Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

James 2:10 (KJV) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Attitude is our mental and emotional response to the circumstances of life.

Bitterness is an attitude that refuses to forgive offenses.

Hebrews 12:15 (KJV) 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.

Forgiveness is an attitude that honestly acknowledges an offense and then dismisses it on the basis of God's forgiveness of us.

Matthew 18:21 (KJV) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Matthew 18:22 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18: 23 (KJV) 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Matthew 18: 24 (KJV) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Matthew 18: 25 (KJV) But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Matthew 18: 26 (KJV) The servant, therefore, fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Matthew 18: 27 (KJV) Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 18: 28 (KJV) But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

Matthew 18: 29 (KJV) And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Matthew 18: 30 (KJV) And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Matthew 18: 31 (KJV) So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Matthew 18: 32 (KJV) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Matthew 18: 33 (KJV) Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Matthew 18: 34 (KJV) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Matthew 18: 35 (KJV) So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

The reason we are to forgive other people for their sins against us is because of God's willingness to forgive us for our offenses against Him.

We forgive others on the basis of God for giving us.

Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

If we can discover how God forgives us, then we are able to understand how we are to forgive others.

Romans 5: 1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5: 6 (KJV) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5: 8 (KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

#1: God forgave us when we did not deserve forgiveness.

Psalm 14:3 (KJV) They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Matthew 7:3 (KJV) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

1st: It is important to identify offenses you have committed against your family, against your friends, against other believers, or against God.

2nd: Confess those offenses to God and finally receive God's forgiveness based on Christ's debt for you.

To get even causes us to get on their level and to enact revenge is to lower ourselves below the act that has been perpetrated on us.

To forgive is to lose our victimization, our hesitation, and our refusal.

Forgiveness is one of our deepest human hungers.

Revenge is the most worthless weapon in the world.

Hatred contaminates our emotions.

It is cheaper to forgive than it is to be resentful.

The physical, mental and spiritual damage caused by revenge, hatred, and bitterness is why we need to forgive.

When someone has wronged us, repayment is impossible.

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Matthew 6:14 (KJV) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.