## Beware of Bitterness

## Ephesians 4:30-32

I. Introduction.

A. Bitterness is a common fact of life. (Exo 1:14) "And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour."

(Exo 12:8) "And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it."

1. Egypt was a difficult place for God's people.

2. When preparing for the Passover, they were instructed to eat bitter herbs.

3. These bitter herbs were a reminder of the harsh conditions in Egypt.

B. Bitterness is a sign of a worldly attitude.

(Rom 3:13-14) "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: {14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:"

1. Paul here was talking about an unsaved person.

2. One who did not seek God in their life.

3. It is clear from this and other scriptures that bitterness should not be the attitude of a believer.

C. Many Christians are afflicted with bitterness.

1. It can destroy your spiritual joy.

2. It can destroy your witness with non- believers.

II. Causes of Bitterness.

A. Bitterness toward people.

1. They have done some wrong toward you. example: Dad and Aunt Inez

2. They have something you don't.

(James 3:14-15) "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. {15} This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."

B. Bitterness toward God.

1. Naomi felt embittered due to death of husband and son.

(Ruth 1:20-21) "And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. {21} I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?"

2. "Bitterness of soul" is a common expression throughout the Bible.

3. Whether we become bitter or not is determined by how we handle the circumstances of life.

C. Bitterness often comes from harboring unforgiveness and envy in heart.

1. We feel that someone received something that they didn't deserve.

2. Or we have ought against another because of some real or perceived offense that we refuse to be willing to forgive.

3. The Bible tells us to forgive others as the Lord has forgiven us.

(Eph 4:32) "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

III. Effects of Bitterness.

A. Bitterness moves us away from God.

(Heb 12:15) "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"

1. Grows, quietly, each moment becoming more firmly entrenched -- like a root.

2. It turns our heart away from God's grace and love.

B. Bitterness breaks down relationships.

1. Trouble is caused for others "…thereby many be defiled."

2. Deut 29:18 - all of God's people can be infected.

(Deu 29:18) "Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;"

C. Bitterness makes us a captive of sin.

1. Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer for trying to purchase the power of God.

2. Peter perceived that the problem was bitterness.

(Acts 8:22-23) "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. {23} For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."

IV. We Can Gain Victory over Bitterness.

A. Don't let bitterness begin: Be watchful for the early signs of it.

Note: Weeds in the flowerbed can be controlled before the fact or after the fact. Prepare the ground so weeds will not grow. Or else, uproot them and throw them away. Either way they must be dealt with, but preparing the ground is the most effective way to handle them.

1. David and experience at Ziklag.

(1 Sam 30:6) "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

a. While on a raid, his city was destroyed and the families of his men taken.

b. His men were bitter.

c. David did not get bitter, but found strength in God.

B. If bitterness does start, admit it and be ready to do something about it.

(Eph 4:30-32) "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. {31} Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: {32} And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

1. Deal with grudges directly.

2. Get rid of bitterness by having a forgiving heart.

3. Never say 'never'… allow God to change us and grant to us the true spirit of forgiveness.

C. Turn thoughts toward love.

A Christian father and mother whose 20-year-old daughter had been brutally murdered, traveled to the prison where their daughter's convicted killer was being held. "We love this special person from the bottom of our hearts," the mother said. "We harbor no hatred, no revenge." Is this woman simply crazy? "We had the normal human reaction of grief and anguish," she declared: "Didn't I have the right to be filled with red-hot hate? But where would it have gotten me? It wouldn't have gotten me my daughter back.

God led us on this journey. You don't have to commit a horrible crime to be lost. You just have to ignore Jesus Christ."

We know that circumstances and situations will come that will be difficult for us to deal with. They may cause us to become bitter if we do not handle them biblically. The trials and testings are designed to make us better, not bitter.

We cannot forgive others until we personally have experienced the forgiveness of God. We do not deserve His forgiveness, but it is totally by grace that we are saved. "…Not of works…lest any man should boast…" Do you know the forgiveness of God today? If not, why not come and allow us to show you from God's Word how you can be born again…cleansed…and forgiven.

Christian, have you allowed circumstances to make you bitter? Bitter toward God…bitter toward others? Whatever your need. Come now.