Are you
finding it sweet? -In His Word 7+10=17
Yesterday
reading in James 3 we came across some scriptures about bitterness. No the scriptures were not in James but a
couple of other places, which we trailed off to in our study. I love a good
Godly helping of meat in the Word, don’t you?
When its straight forward in the Word you can know what you
are to do, or rather not to do in this case! We are told in His Word not to
harbor bitterness because it will root itself there and gain a stronghold of
sorts.
How can bitterness of heart root itself? When we are hurt, or
have taken the bait to be the, self proclaiming, victim we begin to taste that
little bit of bitterness.
Pastor used a driver on the road that cut us off as an
example and good it was that I recalled it today; I prayed for the driver who
not only cut me off but started slowing traffic once they did. I am not bitter,
but I used this as an example. We can be accepting of our circumstances in life
or we can sit there and tell ourselves how justified we are in being angry. I
am guilty of doing both at times, I have taken the bate and told myself and the
one who ‘injured’ my pride just why I was right in being angry, or bitter with
them. After all it was my right to be right! Right?
Nope! Thought we often feel that it is truth, being bitter is
never right. Bitterness is the opposite of being sweet.
Let me give you a real life example of the difference… if you
like your coffee you will appreciate the fact that a good cup of coffee has a
soft flavor that you can not only savor in the smell but also as you sip it. If
they make it too strong or with a different blend than you wanted or forget you’re
sweeter or cream it can not only have a bad taste but it not feel good in your
stomach once it hits it. It causes more acid to bubble up in there and can
cause some really nasty side effects. I am not just talking about the caffeine
rush, but that sour sick feeling you get.
Now think of a time when you allowed bitterness to sink into
your heart. Say your friend forgot it was your special day to spend together,
or forgot it was your birthday. Then they asked you for a favor, maybe even to
watch their kids so they and their hubby could go on a long needed date night;
and you just did not feel like doing what they wanted. So you said no; you really
didn’t feel like it but you also wanted them to hurt the way you did. The only
problem was that once you knew you caused them consternation, because you
really are a nice person who loves their friend, you felt worse than the
initial bitterness. That is the root that tries to grab hold of you! It may even be that you told someone else
what the person did to hurt you, and then you went on to make them mad too! The more you tell yourself its okay to do this
the more the bitter root will grow! The Word of God tells us what to do! Get
rid of it!
Get rid of all bitterness,
rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31
But how do
you get rid of the pain, the sourness and the anger? What can you do to change
yourself from the bitter person to the sweet one?
Since you have heard about Jesus and have
learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life,
which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead,
let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like
God—truly righteous and holy. So
stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of
the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[ Don’t let the sun go down while you are
still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:21-27
You guessed
it right if you said ; Give it to God and get in the Word! If you are in the
Word more you will find the scriptures that call you out of sin and show you
how to make things not only right in this situation but also other things that
come up. Its full of preventive maintenance! Try to follow what the Word says,
press it upon your heart and follow the Word with prayer; in doing this you
will block the giver of bitterness, Satan, from pulling you into the weed he
wants there to stop you from living in peace and love the way God wants us to.
Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a
holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none
of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of
bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many Make sure that no one is immoral or
godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single
meal. Hebrews 12:14-16
Work at
doing the right thing, not being the ‘right one’ in every situation. Even if
you do think it was justified it is never right to hold on to bitterness.
Let’s look
to Jesus to find a way to stay away from bitterness, anger and other unhappy
thoughts. Let us take on the challenge to get rid of it! Drop off the anger and
such and pick up the joy! Who cares who does more work around the house or
office, who cares really if you are the only one to do it? What does it matter?
Think about the fact that; if you are doing it for the Lord then you are the
only one to get the blessing for it in the long run! HA! Find joy in the
sorrowful, annoying moments… I challenge you!
Dear
Heavenly Father, we lift up our hearts to you and ask you to cleans us from all
impurities today, help us to follow your Word and guidance and do as you say
and get rid of the bitterness and cling to the joy, peace and kindness; in
Jesus name, amen.
Suggested
reading: Ephesians 4:1-32 , Hebrews 12:1-29, James 3:1-18 and Philippians
4:1-27.
And
I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his
work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.