Hebrews 12:15(TLB)
Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.
Bitterness is the feeling or showing of anger, hurt, enmity or bad feelings because of bad experience or the sense of unjust treatment. According to our anchor Scripture bitterness causes deep trouble and hurt many in their spiritual lives and disconnects people from the Presence of God and His Best Blessings. It can also separate us from the flow of God’s Grace leading to disgrace. When we allow any root of bitterness to spring up from our hearts, we will be emotionally disturbed and hatred may occupy our hearts. Our minds are blocked and chocked with negative emotions when we think about people who have offended us. We are tempted to take revenge against the offender when we are bitter.
Bitterness aborts destiny, it holds the life of a person down in the past. Progress is arrested when bitterness is in place. In other words we stop moving forward in life when we agree to bitterness. Philippians 3:13 says “No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Until we forget the things that are behind us, we can never access the things that are before us. Nobody can be fruitful in the future who has not forgotten the offences of the past. Bitterness is known to hurt our lives and destinies far more than the offender because it invites satan to work in our lives. That is, bitterness engages satanic activity. And the worst thing that can happen to anybody on earth is to walk with, or work for satan. If we are working together with the devil on earth because of bitterness, we will continue with him in his headquarters which is hell. This is because the nature of bitterness makes God not to come near us on earth, preventing our entry into Heaven. Many Christians have destroyed their own salvation by allowing the root of bitterness in their lives. People we prayed for may turn against us. Others we may have assisted will try to resist, insult, bear false witness against us and call us all manner of names but never be embittered into hell. We may have experienced all manner of provocations and annoyance from people but let no one embitters us into hell.
Beloved, shun the lifestyle of bitterness. Don’t allow it to prevent you from fulfilling your destiny in Christ. Today, forgive totally all that have offended you and released them from every captivity of bitterness in your heart. Don’t fall into the devil’s trap, because he will definitely send people to make you bitter. If you must have access to God at the place of prayer, then, completely deal with the spirit of bitterness. Stop punishing yourself; forgive everyone who has offended you and forget the hurt. Doing so amounts to obedience and there is great reward for it. Make up your mind to forgive all offences even in advance and love as God loves. Maybe you are bitter against someone, release forgiveness and you will receive healing and peace on every side. Release the past and have nothing against your offenders and watch how dramatic and fulfilling the outcome would be for your life. Let the words of Ephesians 4:31-32 be your guide “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”. Remember, the bigger your destiny the more the devil and his agents will send bitterness your way.
O Lord, let every seed of bitterness in my life be consumed by fire, I ask for mercy in Jesus Name!