Handling Bitterness Series

• When we allow bitterness to rule us, our fruit will be poison to others.

• As others feed on the fruit of our life, they will be poisoned by bitterness also.

• The best example of this comes when a couple divorces. One or both of the participants are angry and hurt.

• They have bitter feelings toward their former or soon to be former spouse and then their attitude spills over to other people. Sometimes they do not mean for it to, but it does.

• Sometimes they will to fill their children with the same bitterness they are feeling.

• We have to do everything we can to guard against that.

• The best way to deal with it is to focus on what is healthy.

• When you think about it, is your bitterness accomplishing the righteousness of God?

• I have to be honest with you, and I too have to face this at times.

• I REALLY GROW WEARY OF CHRISTIANS WHO THINK THEY CAN RATIONALIZE BEING BITTER AND SPREADING THAT POISON TO EVERYONE IN THEIR PATH!

• If you marriage feel a part, deal with it, deal with it as a Christian. If someone hurt you, deal with it as a Christian. If someone wronged you, deal with it as a Christian.

• SLIDE #13

• Galatians 5:24–25 (ESV) And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

CONCLUSION

• I know it can be difficult to not be controlled by bitterness. I have to tell you, I used to really struggle with this when I was younger.

• When I grew up I felt a lot of bitterness toward those who would not accept me into their crowd.

• When I was consumed by bitterness it opened me up to doing things I should have never done.

• I do not want to make light of the things that contribute to being bitter, BUT as A Christian, we MUST pull bitterness out by the root as soon as we can.

• Through Christ I was able to overcome my bitterness and so can you!