Escape From Bitterness

September 16, 2011
'The escape route for bitterness leads to the Cross, where the only one who had the right to be bitter, wasn't.' I hadn't been in church very long and was taking every note I could at our ladies Bible studies. This was a quote from one of the weekly studies and I never forgot it! It stood out so bluntly, so much so I can't tell you anything else about our study. God for several months has been teaching me somethings and letting go of situations has been the most crucial. When we are hurt or have been done wrong by someone we end up with two basic options. Forgive and move on or be bitter and never move. We become consumed with the torment of the mind that we can't seem to break free. The enemy will use this tactic to draw division among Gods people which acts as cancer. It spreads slowly to the point we can't enjoy life because of the pain.

I was reading in the Old Testament in the book of Numbers chapter 5 about how if the husband of the wife became jealous and suspected her to be sleeping with someone that the husband was to bring her to the priest and they did what was called "the trial of jealousy". In the ceremony the wife would drink a mix of Holy water and dust from the tabernacle floor. This was called 'bitter water' and if she has been defiled then a curse would be placed upon her. You see, only the pure at heart survived this. Now I know this is talking about adultery but I couldn't help but notice three things about this that relates to all bitterness; jealousy, defiled, and cursed.

JEALOUSY
When bitterness attacks it starts with a conflict then settles as we feel we can control this and it ends with evil thoughts and jealous acts. We can never see the good in the person who is on the opposing side because the devil has convinced us that they are only out to get us and they think they are better than us. So this rage bubbles inside and becomes 'bitter' tasting. It doesn't settle well with our body or spirit. It is a form of spiritual indigestion that cause us to lack in sleep because it wants to regurgitate. This jealousy causes unholy ambition in those affected by it. Our motives are not pleasing to God! The Holy Spirit inside us can not swallow this and therefore wants it gone! But we will keep holding it in because we think it will pass. We can't rid ourselves from this alone.

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.  James 3:13-18 

for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.  Song 8:6 

DEFILED
We have defiled our very being. Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-19, 'But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts...' You see those evil thoughts have now been manipulating us. We become hurt and feel that retaliation is appropriate. We may begin saying things about them or telling others our story over and over, thinking this will serve justice. When words come out cold and ugly about a person, it doesn't really serve justice now does it? Where is God in all that? 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks'. Matthew 12:24. Defiled simply means spoiled, desecrate, and profane. God cannot accept a defiled being in Heaven for Heaven is perfect! God separates the good from the wicked and there is no good in wicked. Hanging on to a bitter state of mind will eventually cause us to be defiled and cut off from God if we don't repent.

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.  Psalms 49:3 

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  Psalms 51:10-11 

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 

CURSED
As this progresses we then walk around full of disease. Because of our stubbornness we begin to lose those near us. A barrier forms around us called negativity. This hinders the move of God in our life and affects everyone that is around us. This is a curse that we have brought upon ourselves. Our work in the Lord becomes in vain and nothing prospers. Our everyday challenge seems unbearable. Life is now to difficult. Prayer has diminished because we feel guilty at the emotions we have held on to. We feel God can't do anything to help and we were so rotten that He would turn us away. We now are bringing destruction upon ourselves because of not willing to let it go and show forgiveness. We are cursed by our own hands and this will cause us to be apart from the Lord. He is willing to help us based upon our willingness to allow Him.

And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God.  Psalms 78:8 

Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully  Jer 48:10 

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  Gal 3:10 

This is very serious and we all are subject to failure! When we feel bitterness creeping in the first thing that needs to be done is go straight to Jesus. Lay it at His feet and then ask Him to help us forgive the other person. Then we need to go to that person. It sounds easier than it really is but the truth is it will work out! I have been told many times that God can't bless a mess but I disagree! When else can a person fully appreciate the blessings of the Lord? When God delivers you from the mess you made, that is the beginning of an abundance of blessings! Imagine your best friend has been battling lung cancer for years and God in a instant performed the miraculous. What a beautiful thought to know she would live longer and be a testimony to the world isn't it? Apply this same thought to yourself as God heals you from bitterness! You can breathe again. You have joy again and further more you have life again. We need to equip ourselves with the whole armor of God and be prepared as the devil is seeking whom he may devour. Be aware and alert and take the initial steps to protect ourselves. We have a way out and that is through Christ Jesus. We can't allow the bitterness of our wounds to produce jealousy that will defile the body and cause our lives to be cursed!

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16

Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you.  Luke 6:28 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalms 46:1 

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us Psalms 62:8 

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever  Psalms 73:26 

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.  Mark 11:25-26