Bitterness
in the Garden of Our Hearts.
.
"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 be defiled." (Hebrews 12:15)
Unless we
process our struggles in Christ, a single wounding of our soul can create a
deep bitterness within us, poisoning our very existence.
In my
forty-six years of ministry, I have known far too many Christians who have
perfected the art of looking polite while living inwardly with an angry,
cynical or resentful spirit.
They have
swallowed the poison of bitterness, and they are dying spiritually because of
it. The problem is that, as Christians, we know it is wrong to react with open
anger toward people.
However,
rather than truly forgiving and surrendering that injustice to God, we suppress
our anger.
Anger is a
result of perceived injustice. Suppressed anger always degrades into
bitterness, which is, in reality, unfulfilled revenge.
Embittered
People
A bitter soul is trapped in a time warp; the person dwells in the memory of his pain.
A bitter soul is trapped in a time warp; the person dwells in the memory of his pain.
Several
years ago I met a woman who had suffered a difficult divorce.
I talked
with her every six months or so for two years, and each time we talked she said
exactly the same negative things about her ex-husband.
Although she was
divorced from him, she was now married to a bitter spirit that held her captive
to her heartache.
An
embittered soul continually blames others for his situation. I’m thinking of
Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Here was a person who blamed her bitterness on God.
She
was angry that He allowed hardship and loss in her life. "The Lord has brought me back empty."
(Ruth
1:21)
In effect
she was saying, My sorrow is God's fault.
Contrast
her life with that of Job's first encounter with loss (Job 1).
Job
lost his children and possessions, yet he bowed and worshiped: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be
the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21)
How we
handle sorrow reveals the depth of our worship of God. When life cuts us, do we
bleed bitterness or worship?
Job bowed
and drew close to God.
Naomi
withdrew and talked about the Lord with her back toward Him.
I have
dear friends who lost their only son when he was a teenager. In the midst of
their heartache, they have become examples to everyone of true worship.
Over the
years, their pain actually purified and deepened their worship; their suffering
made them more compassionate toward the suffering of others. (See 2 Corinthians
1:3-4)
I also
know others who have suffered the sudden loss of a loved one and, within weeks,
withdrew from God and became embittered.
Adversity
does not perfect character; it reveals character. It exposes what is happening
inside of us.
Poisoned
In ancient times mankind experimented with vegetation, seeking to learn which plants were edible and which were poisonous.
In ancient times mankind experimented with vegetation, seeking to learn which plants were edible and which were poisonous.
In his
search, he discovered that, generally speaking, if a plant or fruit was sweet,
it was usually safe to eat; bitter plants, man discovered, would either sicken
or kill.
Likewise,
the bitter experiences of life, if we ingest them into our spirits, can become
a spiritual poison that destroys our hopeful expectations and attitudes.
Such an
experience may enter your soul via a relational wound or injustice; it can
begin through a major disappointment or loss.
However,
once bitterness enters the human soul, like ink spreading in a glass of water,
it can darken every aspect of our existence.
Indeed,
not only can bitterness ruin our lives, Hebrews warns that a root of bitterness
can "defile many."
(Heb.
12:15 NIV)
A
spiritual root of bitterness is a hidden, unresolved anger that is buried
beneath the surface of our lives.
Outwardly
we look "properly
Christian," until we begin to discuss
with others the situation where someone hurt us.
As we
speak, that root "springs up" and it defiles others.
If you
have not dealt with your bitterness, beware when you speak to others, lest you
defile them with your words.
If you are
listening to an embittered person, take heed that the spirit of bitterness is
not being transferred to your life as well!
God
desires to rescue us from bitterness so we can truly love and laugh again.
Let us,
therefore, sincerely approach the throne of God's grace and ask Him to show us
the garden of our hearts.
Yes, and
let us see if our souls are truly free of the root of bitterness.
Healing is
part of the vast provision that God has made available for you. You can be free
of any negative emotion that has been oppressing you from the past.
Talk to
the God of the universe and let Him work in your behalf.
.
Pray the
following prayer: .
“Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated
me from You. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new
life with You. Please forgive me.
You know the situation I am in right now. I lay
everything at Your feet, fully believing that You are in control.
I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my
Master and my Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins,
was buried, and rose from the dead.
I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided
for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of
the Lord shall be saved.’ (Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way,
the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart
and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life. I take
Your promise that by Your stripes I am healed.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy
Spirit Who is in me now. Thank You that Your Word says I am born again.
I surrender my life to You. I promise to study Your
Word – the Bible.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
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Consider These Truths
When God Is Silent
http://puricarefiles.blogspot.com/2016/12/when-god-is-silent-god-talksa-lot-he-is.html
.
.
“PURIFY YOUR PEOPLE O GOD"
.
.
“PURIFY YOUR PEOPLE O GOD"
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oHUZhkhqnALvetoriaLeah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPyVpJ55qX8MrMatthewTan
lyrics
Verse One:
Purify Your people, O God.
Cleanse us with Your fire, O Lord.
May we walk uprightly.
In the presence of Your love.
Purify Your people, O God.
Chorus:
Make us holy Lord, we pray.
In Your likeness.
Righteous in our ways.
Let us be a praise.
To the glory of Your grace.
Purify Your people, O God.
Bridge:
Purify...
Purify...
Purify my heart...
Purify Your people, O God.
Cleanse us with Your fire, O Lord.
May we walk uprightly.
In the presence of Your love.
Purify Your people, O God.
Chorus:
Make us holy Lord, we pray.
In Your likeness.
Righteous in our ways.
Let us be a praise.
To the glory of Your grace.
Purify Your people, O God.
Bridge:
Purify...
Purify...
Purify my heart...
http://francisfrangipanemessages.blogspot.com/2011/08/bitterness-in-garden-of-our-hearts.html
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