“Uprooting Bitter Roots 3”
Hebrews 12 identifies three deadly infections that contaminate the Christian community and disrupt the unity God instructs us to pursue, promote and protect. These three infections also prevent the pursuit of the three life pursuits.
1. Guard against anyone falling short of God’s enabling grace
2. Guard against bitter roots taking root and springing up
I. The character of bitterness
A. Definition
Bitterness describes the presence of negative thoughts and emotions in the soul toward someone I hold responsible for an actual or perceived offense intentionally or unintentionally inflicted upon me or someone I care about.
B. Description
C. Characteristics from Hebrews 12:15
II. The cause of bitterness
A. The cause pinpointed
How is it that two people suffering the same offense respond so differently?
One becomes bitter. The other grows from it and becomes better. It paralyzes one but empowers the other. It all has to do with the condition of the soul. Bitterness thrives in the sour soil of a self-centered soul. The bitterness can only take root and survive in a self-centered soul. Bitterness thrives in acid soil of selfish ambition, jealousy and fed by pride.
Until I adequately address the issue of pride in my life, I will NEVER eradicate bitterness.
Every offense, every wound of life will become infected to the point where it not only vexes me but defiles all of those around me.
B. The cause pictured
III. The consequences of bitterness
IV. The cure of bitterness
A. Prevention
Bitterness must have the right kind of soil in order to take root in the soul. When offenses come our way (and they most certainly will), the sweet soil of humble faith and surrender will germinate godly responses that blossom into the fruit of the Spirit or the sour soil of proud unbelief and selfishness will germinate negative thoughts and emotions that blossom into destructive, poisonous plants of the flesh. Some who suffer the same or even more devastating offense never become bitter yet others spew bitterness at the slightest offense.
How can we prevent bitter roots from taking root in our life when suffering offense by others?
The Example of Jesus
What finally solidified the core issues for me was the example of Jesus. Jesus suffered horrendous offenses; none of them deserved. How did Jesus keep from becoming bitter?
We are told to look to Jesus’ example. Peter offered instructions to slaves on how to respond to their masters.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His (Christ’s) steps,
Did you get that? We were called to respond to mistreatment in the same way that Jesus responded. How did he respond? Peter points out what He didn’t do and what He did do.
who committed no sin,
nor was any deceit found in His mouth;
and while being reviled, He did not revile in return;
while suffering, He uttered no threats,
but
kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
1. Fully trust God
Jesus entrusted His life into the Father’s loving care. He trusted His plan. Rather than take life in His own hands, He entrusted Himself into His Father’s loving care. The soil of humble trust as opposed to proud unbelief or revolt enables us to positively respond to the offenses and difficult circumstances that afflict us. Since God allows such offences, there must be some eternal purpose. Jesus refused to dictate the conditions of His life but trusted God to accomplish His plan. He could ask, but ultimately it was, “Nevertheless, not My will but Yours be done.”
Here is true faith, genuine trust. Will we let God be God? Do I really believe that God knows best and loves most? If I am truly surrendered and sincerely trust His plan and His love, there is NO room for bitter negative thoughts and emotions toward God or the instrument of His work in my life. If I am truly surrendered and sincerely trust His plan and His love, there is NO room for bitter negative thoughts and emotions toward God or the instrument of His work in my life.
If your bitterness is directed toward God, we have a whole new problem. You must repent of your arrogance. You must humble yourself under the might hand of God. You must submit to God and draw near to Him. If you continue, you will become completely entangled in bitterness toward God and others.
2. Sacrificially serve people
Not only did Jesus escape bitterness and retaliation by His trust in the Father’s care, He offered His life for His Father’s use in the healing of others.
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 1 Peter 2:18-25
He focused on God’s care and God’s purpose. He focused on sacrificing His life that the offenders might live.
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom5:6-8
Could my suffering be a tool to bring salvation and healing to those who offended me?
Jesus willingly bore our sins. He suffered for our offenses. He died for our iniquities. He suffered so that we might be healed.
I will never win those for whom I entertain negative thoughts and emotions.
I will never be free from those whom I choose to harbor bitterness.
3. Completely forgive those who offend me
Forgiveness at its core has to do with releasing from debt. Rather than demand payment I discharge from payment. Jesus did not have bitter roots because He forgave. He did not retaliate, or demand reparation for the wrongs suffered.
Note: We will take up this topic more fully in two weeks.
4. Genuinely bless those who offend me
There is a final component to a bitter root proof life. It is the practice of blessing instead of cursing.
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14
"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. " Luke 6:27-28
See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Perhaps there may be more preventative factors to consider, but I believe if we would practice these four life resolves, bitterness would never find sufficient soil to germinate in our soul.
To carry out the infection analogy; these four antibodies effectively inoculate us from the deadly bitterness virus.
? Humble trust in the Father’s love and care
? Sacrificial service for the sake of others
? Complete forgiveness of those who offend me
? Genuine blessing of those who offend me
The opposites would cultivate the perfect soil for the germination and flourishing of bitter roots.
? Proud rebellion against the Father’s work in my life.
? Self-centered focus.
? Revenge and retaliation.
? Negative and hurtful words and curses.
“But you don’t understand what they did to me!”
Does God know? Did God allow it? Does God have some purpose related to me or them?
Does God have His greatest glory and my best good in mind? Then I can positively respond to the hammer, the file and the furnace.
Have I dedicated my life to His purposes?
Have I agreed to let God use me in any way that pleases Him? Do I care about reaching and healing others? Am I willing to suffer pain for the healing of others? Then I can positively respond to the hammer, the file and the furnace.
It worked for Jesus. It worked for many others. I believe a study of those who did not become bitter at the offenses of people and life would uncover the presence of these four resolves guiding that life.
The example of Joseph
From the time he was a young boy, Joseph suffered rejection and injustice even from the people who should have protected and cared for him. None of it fostered bitterness toward them. There is not a single hint of negative thinking or emotions on Joseph's part toward his offenders. How could that be? Like Jesus, Joseph entrusted his life into the Father’s loving care and offered his life to sacrificial service and the good of others, including his offenders. He focused on trusting God and serving others no matter where he was and God was with him. He forgave and blessed his brothers. Therefore, there was no supporting soil for the development of a bitter root. Bitterness simply could not grow in such an environment.
But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. "So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21
He submitted his life to God. He sacrificed his life for others. He forgave his offenders. He blessed his offenders. As a result, his heart was free of bitterness and God was able to use him to bless not only all of Egypt but Israel as well.
The example of Job
Job did well in the face of unbearable suffering. He kept a proper perspective most of the way through the ordeal. He remarkably avoided a negative bitter spirit toward God most of the time.
His wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:9-10
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Job 13:15
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. "Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another.! Job 19:25-27
At times, Job lost perspective on the sovereignty of God.
I loathe my own life; I will give full vent to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God, 'Do not condemn me; Let me know why You contend with me. Job 10:1-2
He vacillated from “simple trust no matter’ what to insistence that God answer to him.
God finally spoke in chapter 38 and didn’t stop till chapter 42. He released a barrage of rapid fire questions all leading to one unavoidable conclusion. Where were you? Who is God here, Me or you? At the end Job recaptures his eternal perspective on life and God.
Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." 'Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.' "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:1-6
Because of his regained perspective on God’s sovereignty, all his bitterness disappeared.
Any bitterness toward God or his three miserable friends and even his mouthy wife.
In fact, Job blessed them.
"Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has." Job 42:8
In the process, God double blessed Job. He not only restored what he had at the beginning but doubled it including children.
It is nearly impossible for bitter plants to grow in soil saturated with a healthy view of God and a clear sense of mission.
The Example of Paul
Paul trusted God through horrendous persecution and offense. We detect no trace of bitterness; caution, but no bitterness. He concentrated on what would further God’s purposes. He sacrificed his own comfort in order to more effectively spread the gospel. He went to prison. He was beaten. He was misunderstood and persecuted by Jews and Christians alike. He supported himself by manual labor. He considered himself as an offering poured out for others.
I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 2 Tim 4:6
Paul fully trusted God. Paul sacrificially served people. Paul completely forgave his offenders.
Paul genuinely blessed his offenders.
The Example of Saint Patrick
Patrick was born in Roman Britain. He suffered horribly at the hands of the Irish raiders who captured and enslaved him as a young teen. He worked as a herdsman for six years praying daily and growing in faith. One day he heard a voice telling him that he would soon go home and that his ship was ready. Fleeing his master, he traveled to a port, two hundred miles away where he found a ship and returned home to his family. He entered the church as his father and grandfather before him, becoming a deacon and a bishop. He one day had a vision of a man coming from Ireland appealing to him, “We appeal to you, holy servant boy, to come and walk among us.” Because he had continually entrusted himself into His Father’s care and given himself to His Father’s service, he never became bitter and was used by God to free the very ones who had enslaved him. It is thought that he baptized thousands of people, ordained priests to lead the new Christian communities and converted wealthy women who gave themselves to Christ’s service.
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 also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 4:31-5:1-2
Love releases such a fragrant aroma. Bitterness emanates from the infected soul as foul a stench as an infected wound. Will you consider accepting the vaccine today?
1. Fully trust God
I joyfully accept adversity as well as prosperity from Your hand knowing that everything in life is a tool in Your hand to make me more like Jesus and keep my heart fully devoted to You.
I refuse to be bitter against You or demand the glories of the Renewed Earth on this fallen earth.
I purpose not to negatively react to those who offend me knowing that You have allowed it for a higher purpose I may not know or understand now. I choose to put my expectations on You and not on people. I acknowledge that only You and not people bring meaning to life here and hereafter. You alone never fail. I resist becoming bitter when people fail me or disappoint me or even offend me. I humbly entrust my life into Your care as my loving Heavenly Father who works all things together for my greatest good and Your greatest glory.
2. Sacrificially serve people
I offer my life and resources to You to use as You choose; in prosperity or poverty, notoriety or obscurity, delight or difficulty. I am willing to be used by You for the healing of those You bring into my life. Make me an instrument of Your peace. Let me be an effective extension of Your hands and heart to a hurting world. I am willing to surrender my personal comfort in order to minister to those in need. Help me to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind regard others as more important then myself. Help me not to focus on my own personal interests but on the interests of others (Philip 2:3-4); to bear their burdens, to encourage, to comfort, to uphold in prayer, to point to Jesus.
3. Completely forgive those who have offended me.
I purpose to completely forgive all who have offended me no matter the offense. I gratefully embrace the forgiveness of my offenses against You and can do no less than forgive those who have offended me. Through Your enabling grace, I choose to personally bear the pain and cost of forgiving the debts of others. I choose not to personally demand repayment or punishment by any negative and bitter attitudes, words or actions. Help me put all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander away, along with all malice. Help me instead be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving, just as God in Christ also has forgiven me. Ephesians 4:31-32
4. Genuinely bless those who have offended me.
I purpose not to speak evil of those who have offended me or pass on an evil report but to speak will of them. I refuse to be Satan’s instrument of cursing but Your mouthpiece of blessing. I purpose to never let any worthless or hurtful word proceed from my mouth but only such as is good for building others up according to their need that it will give enabling grace (energy) to those who hear (Eph 4:29). I choose not to return evil for evil or insult for insult but to give a blessing instead. (1 Pet 3.9)
