"We do not get bitter towards evil outside of our own immediate contact. Bitterness is based upon somebody else's sin--someone who is close to us and who did something to us. It might be minor. It does not have to be great, it just has to be close. Does he pick up his socks? No. Can you get bitter over that? Well, no, but what if he does it 5,000 times?

You may think you have a right to be bitter. But the Bible does not grant anyone the right to be bitter. The text says to get rid of all bitterness.

Here it describes bitterness as if it were a root. A root is something that is underground and cannot be see. But there can be visible evidence of its presence, as when sidewalks are lifted. Roots do other things. The fact that you cannot see roots does not mean they are not there. Neither does it mean you will never see them. They drink in nourishment, and they do not stay roots. Eventually they come up.

The fruit born bears a direct relation to the root producing it. The roots of an apple tree provide us with apples. If there is a bitter root, it will bear a bitter fruit.

That is what this verse is saying. Beware lest any root of bitterness springs up, cause trouble, and defile many people, which means to make people filthy. have you ever seen bitterness go though a church? Bitterness can go through a congregation like a prairie fire. Why is this? Somebody decided to share. He was bitter and he let the root come to the surface and bear fruit. He shared it and many people became bitter. The author of Hebrews warns us about this. He says beware of missing the grace of God. When you allow it, bitterness come up and defiles many people. It makes many people filthy."

Now how convicting it that? Every now and again everyone struggles with bitterness, I know I do, but the main thing that got me was how Jim Wilson says we don't even notice it. We let it creep in under our skin and smolder inside of us all the while convincing ourselves that we are not bitter. Scary. I have personally experienced and watched the destructiveness of bitterness in my life and those closest to me and it is devastating not only to yourself, but those whom you are closest to.

Just thought I'd share my thoughts on my most recent reading.....

Jess~