Sunday, September 29,
2013 am
PURER IN HEART 15
Dangers to the Pure Heart – 5
Bitterness
a.
The word “bitter” has
several meanings in an English dictionary.
The first definition is, “having a strong and often unpleasant
flavor that is the opposite of sweet.[1]”
This is followed by definitions
dealing with painful emotions, anger and resentful feelings.
b.
As we discuss the
subject of bitterness, these definitions are related.
Bitterness of attitude is often related to have experiences
(“tasted”) something that was very unpleasant.
The Bible deals with the bitter taste, while making spiritual
application, in passages like:
i.
Isaiah 5:20, “Woe
to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light,
and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
ii.
Rev. 10:10, John was
given a book to eat. In the
mouth it was sweet, but in his stomach it became bitter.
IT was a prophecy of doom.
iii.
James 3:11, speaking of
the tongue, “Does a spring send
forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”
c.
Bitterness (πικρία,
pikria) is the idea of a heart that is resentful and ill-willed.
It originates from a word that means pointed or sharp (as in the
tip of an arrow) and thus penetrating.
IT describes one who is angry in disposition and easily offended.
It is a strong word for strong feelings.
L&N defines the word as “a state of sharp, intense resentment or hate.”
(88.201)
d.
When someone harbors
feelings of bitterness, there is going to be problems – heart problems,
relationship problems, self-inflicted misery (you rob yourself of joy
and peace), etc. IN essence,
it will open the door for Satan to enter your heart to do evil, often
against another. And while
he is there, he will “trash the place”.
e.
Bitterness can do great
damage:
i.
It can lead to actions
which destroy relationships within families, both physical and
spiritual. Marriages have
been damaged and destroyed, homes broken, friendships severed, etc.
ii.
It can cause physical
damage – people often act out of hate and do things that cannot be taken
back. Prisons are filled
with those who acted with bitterness in their hearts (whether the way
they were treated was right or wrong doesn’t matter).
iii.
It can divide the church
and cause brethren to mistreat each other and refuse to seek
reconciliation. The
damage may go further as those outside see the ungodly way that they
treat each other.
iv.
IT causes all sorts of
personal damage – stress, depression, obsession with unhealthy feelings,
abusive self-behavior (turning to unhealthy substances or behaviors), a
refusal to forgive, hatred, cynicism, etc.
v.
It can cause one to look
at circumstances with prejudice.
How many because of bitterness refuse to approach something that
is done by another objectively? Especially
when you are bitter against that someone!
They assume the worst of motives in everything.
vi.
IT will strain one’s
relationship with God as well.
Friends, bitterness WILL keep you out of heaven!
NOTE: One of the worst forms of bitterness is when it is directed
against God. How many
despise Him because of the “hand they have been dealt”?
vii.
As stated, it will
POISON the pure heart! Bad
attitudes have a way of affecting the heart for evil.
They hinder the development of purity.
a.
In Ephesians 4:31–32 we
read, “Let all bitterness, wrath,
anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even
as God in Christ forgave you.”
There are many passages of scripture like this that warn about
unhealthy attitudes.
These are attitudes that can accomplish no good.
b.
“But
if you have bitter envy and
self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual,
demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil
thing are there.” (James 3:14–16)
c.
“For
we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving
various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and
hating one another.” (Titus 3:3)
NOTE: In becoming a Christian, we are obligated to put to death
the man of sin and his worldly ways.
You cannot use your past as a crutch to justify present ungodly
behavior.
d.
“Pursue
peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the
Lord: 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;”
(Hebrews 12:14–15) Friends,
bitterness will affect your soul!
It also comes with consequences.
IF you continue the text you find the example of Esau as he sold
his birthright. It says, “lest
there be any fornicator or
profane person like Esau,
who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that
afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for
he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with
tears.” (Hebrews 12:16–17) Genesis
25:32-34 finds Esau selling his birthright (as the firstborn son) to his
brother Jacob for some food.
In Genesis 27 Jacob is old and feels he is about to die.
He calls for Esau to bless him, but Jacob with deceit steals his
birthright as well. We don’t
know how much time has elapsed here, but when Esau finds out about the
deceit, he is angry and resolves to kill Jacob after Isaac died.
The result is Jacob had to flee and he does not return for about
20 years. Gen. 27:36
records Esau’s response after discovering the deceit, ““And Esau
said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted
me these two times. He took
away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” And he
said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?””
HE is bitter and has not “gotten over it.”
HOW truly sad it is when we allow bitterness to destroy family
and close relationships, often times because we DON’T want to resolve
it.
e.
When Simon the Sorcerer
was told he could not purchase the power to lay hands upon others and
impart the Spirit, Peter said to him, “For
I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
(Acts 8:23)
f.
“Husbands, love your
wives and do not be bitter toward them.”
(Colossians 3:19)
g.
Hatred is often the
product of bitterness. When
brethren act with hatred, there is serious heart trouble and if it
persists it will almost always end badly.
“He who hates, disguises it
with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly,
do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;
Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed
before the assembly.” (Proverbs 26:24–26)
h.
Lev. 19:17 warned
Israel, “You shall not hate your
brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not
bear sin because of him.” (Leviticus 19:17)
i.
Eph. 4:26-27 says ““Be
angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor
give place to the devil.”
a.
What is the solution to
bitterness and hatred? It is
love!
b.
WE HAVE TO love one
another! IT is simply NOT
an option!
i.
To say you love God and
hate your brother – NOT happening! “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for
he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God
whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who
loves God must love his brother also.” (1 John 4:20-21)
ii.
Our love for one another
is a testament to the world that we are His disciples – John 13:35
iii.
1 Pet. 4:8, “And
above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover
a multitude of sins.””
In this expression, the point is that when we have love for one
another we will think before acting in an unloving manner, we will take
care of problems in a godly way, and we will help each other overcome
sin.
c.
Learn the scriptural way
to deal with problems.
i.
WE have to learn how we
are to treat each other as brethren and do it!
This is especially true when there are problems.
How often do we mess up when dealing with trouble with one
another?
ii.
IF your brother sins (against you) - Jesus outlines a procedure for a brother in sin.
““Moreover if your brother sins
against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he
hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take
with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it
to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to
you like a heathen and a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:15–17)
Also Gal. 6:1 which speaks of your brother overtaken in a trespass.
You are to seek to restore him with a spirit of gentleness.
James 5:19-20, if he wanders from the truth, turning him back can save
his soul from death and “cover a multitude of sins” – his, yours and
perhaps others.
iii.
If you sin against your brother - In the Sermon on the mount, Jesus warned about spiteful
words and attitudes. He
said, ““You have heard that it was
said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be
in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with
his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And
whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council.
But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
Therefore if you bring your gift
to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against
you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be
reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Agree with your adversary
quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver
you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be
thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get
out of there till you have paid the last penny.” (Matthew 5:21–26)
ONE day, we will all stand before God and give an accounting for our
lives. We are told by Paul,
“But why do you judge your
brother? Or why do you show
contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the
judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” So
then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans
14:10–12)
iv.
IF you have been wronged
by anyone (including those not brethren) – let God take care of the
vengeance. Strive to let
go! Romans 12:17–21, “Repay
no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all
men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with
all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to
wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the
Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty,
give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his
head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
d.
If you are bitter, admit
it! You have to honestly
face your flaws. Far too
many, rather than acknowledging bitterness will seek to justify their
ungodly attitudes and behavior by placing blame on others
(I.e. “It is his fault”, “He is
wrong”, “I have a right to be upset”, “I’m not bitter, just angry”, “He
is getting what he deserves”, etc.).
e.
Realize that bitterness
jeopardizes your soul “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath; for the
wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James
1:19–20)
f.
Learn to forgive!
Again, it is a MUST!
““For if you forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do
not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14–15)
Recall what Jesus taught about how MUCH we are to forgive – 70x7 – Matt.
18:22. This is followed by
the parable of an unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:23-35) who was forgiven
of massive debt, yet he refused to forgive even a little debt of a
fellow servant. Application,
“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his
heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
Relating our forgiving others to how much we have been forgiven by
Christ, we read, “bearing with one another, and forgiving one
another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ
forgave you, so you also must do.” (Colossians 3:13)
James 2:13 says that judgment is without mercy to he who has shown no
mercy.
If you hate your brother you will NOT make it to heaven!
g.
Seek forgiveness – this
FOLLOWS the previous step. WE
have noted in Matt. 6:15 that our forgiveness depends upon our
willingness to forgive others!
It comes in that order.
BUT also remember that if you are guilty of bitterness and all
that accompanies it, you have to repent and take care of that sin.
God demands it.
And thus we can see the problem of bitterness as it affects
our hearts. As Christians we
must strive to overcome all ungodly attitudes.
The world we live in is filled with bitterness, hatred, envy and
the like. Even the godless
realize it is a problem. Let
us with pure hearts strive to live above this world’s standards and make
it a better place. It will
be good for society and for our eternal well-being.
Think about it!