What does it mean to be bitter? It means to be disappointed, or angry because you were treated unfairly. It can also mean to be disappointed, or angry at someone who may have did something to hurt you. Basically holding a grudge against someone.We can hold a grudge against someone because of what they did to our loved one or friend. What is a grudge? It means to hold on to a wrong that was done to you. One thing about this spirit, is that it opens the door for all other spirits and sicknesses. The bible warns us about being bitter.Hebrews 12:15 says, ” See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness, springing up, causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” Bitterness has a root. Meaning it can run deep in our hearts. To pull a root up, would take a powerful person to do. Only Jesus can do it.
If something has a root, it more likely bears fruit. That rotten fruit can include the following:
-Anger
-Unforgiveness
-Gossip
-Hatred
Have I been bitter before? Yes!! Have you ever heard the term, “bitter divorce”? The emotional turmoil of a divorce case cause one to be bitter. I had to really, really, pray heard and ask God to heal my heart during that time. There are times people closes to us can hurt us. My sister had one boyfriend I did not like because of how he did her. We stew over the details of the incident. It eventually spills over to our everyday life. This spirit takes over our personality, and make us do things we would not normally do. Ephesians 4:31-32 says “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
The very first murder on earth took place between two brothers. Remember Cain and Abel? Cain was bitter at God because he honered Abel’s offering over his. He felt God was unjust in that decision. God also warned him of allowing his anger to get the best of him. Genesis 4:4-7 says, ” So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you so angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, sin lies at the door. And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And it desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” I can see it in my mind. Cain pacing back and forth all day, going over and over in his mind, that is brother’s sacrifice was pleasing, and his was nothing to God.
This is what being bitter does. It causes us to act based on our emotions. It is like being stuck in the time of the incident, letting it roll over and over again in our mind. There are some sicknesses that tend to have a root of bitterness. Did you know every sickness has a root? Especially if it is generational. Have you ever known of some families where there is a sickness that runs through it. Some who never live past certain ages? Some people we may know are sick, we can see the evidence of bitterness. It is on their talk and how they treat others. Sometimes we make our loved ones pay for our bitterness against someone else. That’s not fair. The word says in Proverbs 26:2 , “A curse without a cause shall not come.” Curses only come if they have permission.
Bitterness in our lives gives the right for the enemy to work in our lives. Until, we repent of holding bitterness in our hearts, we can’t be used properly of God. He never suggests we forgive, we command us to. Jesus is our ultimate example. He had many reasons to be bitter. Some who walked with him, turned on him, and betrayed him. He never held a grudge. He had a right to, but didn’t. He knew why he came to earth. He never lost his focus, he had no time to be petty. He was in this human flesh, but never got caught up in fleshly matters. He only dealt with things from the root.
Have you held a grudge with your parents or siblings? Do you come from a family of bitterness? Did an ex spouse, child, friend, co-worker caused you some hurt and pain. Ask God to uproot that root of bitterness in your heart. It is not worth your soul!
Father, in Jesus’ name. I do have a grudge against __________. I have found it difficult to forgive them, and move on. I repent of holding onto this hurt. 1 John 2:9 says, “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.” I can’t say I love you and hold o to this grudge. I admit, without your help, it is impossible for me to do alone. Lord, help me, to let this go, so I can be in right standing with you. In Jesus name, Amen!
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