Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

The sin of bitterness hinders your spiritual growth and harms your relationships with others.

It causes much trouble and must be put away quickly from your life and be replaced by compassionate kindness and forgiveness (based on Ephesians 4:31-32; Hebrews 12:14-15; James 3:8-18, especially verses 11 and 14).

The root words for “bitter” or “bitterness” in the original languages of the Old and New Testaments are the basis for the words meaning:

“Sharp,” “pointed” (as arrows are sharp, or as a sharp smell or taste), “brackish” (the opposite of “sweet” or “fresh”), or “inedible” (for example: Exodus 15:23-25; Proverbs 27:7; Isaiah 5:20; James 3:11; Revelation 8:11);

“Rebellious” (Deuteronomy 21:18, 20; Isaiah 30:9; Jeremiah 5:23; Ezekiel 2:5-8, 44:6);

“Rebellion” (Deuteronomy 31:27; 1 Samuel 15:23; Proverbs 17:11);

“Discontented” (1 Samuel 22:2)

“Disobedient” (1 Kings 13:20-26, especially verses 21 and 26; Nehemiah 9:26); and

“Gall of bitterness” (bitterness of spirit) or “bitterness” (Acts 8:23; Romans 3:14; Hebrews 12:15; James 3:14).

Bitterness is compounded by a lack of repentance and is connected with:

Holding an angry grudge against someone who has wronged you (for example: Genesis 27:30-41, especially verses 34 and 41) or against someone whom you think has wronged you (for example: 1 Samuel 30:1-6, especially verse 6);

The speech of evildoers (Psalm 64:1-4; Romans 3:10-18, especially verse 14); and

The sins of wrath (a settled disposition to sinful passion), anger (being provoked, irritation), clamor (shouting, uproarious crying out), slander (defamation, blasphemy), and malice (wickedness, a special kind of moral deficiency) (Ephesians 4:31).

The sin of bitterness results from living to please yourself.

It is often directed at harming other people and, if not dealt with Biblically, results in even more sin.

For example:

It comes short of (literally, “is backwards with respect to”) the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15);

It causes trouble for others (crowds in, annoys) (Hebrews 12:15);

It defiles (stains, leaves a mark on) many (Hebrews 12:15; and

It ultimately connects you to godless (irreligious) and immoral people (Hebrews 12:15-17).

Bitterness is not to characterize your life in Christ (your new self), and it is to be put off.

You can overcome the sin of bitterness by remembering the following and responding in a Biblical manner.

Bitterness is sin and defiles many (Hebrews 12:15).

You must confess your bitterness as sin to obtain God’s forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).

Instead of being bitter toward others, you are to be tender-hearted and kind to one another, forgiving each other just as God in Christ has forgiven you.

(Ephesians 4:31-32).

To avoid any bitterness toward God and His dealings in your life or the lives of others, be diligent to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in everything, and for all things in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Remember that God is graciously working in your life (Psalm 121; Romans 8:28-29; Philippians 1:6; 2:13) and is merciful and righteous in all His ways (Psalm 145:8-9, 17).