The Defilement of Bitterness
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Woodstream Church
Hebrews 12:15
Under Mosaic Law, the Israelites would do all that was possible to avoid ceremonial defilement, which would exclude them from the worship of God until the disqualifying issues were removed. Restoration involved confession, repentance, ritualistic sacrifices, and sometimes restitution. As Christians, we do not live under the Law, but under grace; however, we are not immune from a root of bitterness. A root is below the surface and not seen, but eventually, a stem and branches emerge from it. A root of bitterness can go unnoticed initially, but it will express itself in your life through one’s speech, body language, provocative actions, unsavory associations, sleeplessness, obsessiveness, and anger. Bitterness is destructive and can plague a marriage, workplace, church and community. Though life is sometimes bitter, it is never acceptable for a Christian to be bitter.
Bitterness Is Infectious. Ancient Rabbis commented that some angels took offense that God gave man the authority over His creation, and had angels serve man. Angels were made before man, and are more intelligent and powerful. Satan, the bitter enemy of Christ, fostered bitterness among the angels, attacking God’s judgment, integrity, fairness, and fitness. This enticed 1/3 of the angelic host to follow Lucifer in rebellion, and the war fought in heaven is now waged on earth. The bitterness used in heaven is now infecting the people of earth. If the root of bitterness is not cut out of the heart, its poison will spread.
Bitterness Is Insidious. Bitterness easily lures one in, with arguments and justifications convincing us of our right to be embittered and angry. Satan, who convinced 1/3 of the heavenly host to side with him, can easily lure us into bitter disputes between husband and wife, children and parents, students and teachers, sisters and brothers, and all other relationships.
Bitterness Is Indignant. Esau had no regard for his birth right, and sold it to his twin brother Jacob for a bowl of soup. He later regretted that disrespect, demanding his birth right blessing from his father Isaac. But it was too late; the grace period for Esau had expired. Bitterness is the rejection of grace. God’s grace never fails, but we can fail to accept it. There is a tree that can make bitter waters sweet; that tree is the Cross of Calvary.