When Bitterness Takes Over
Part of No Offense
October 13, 2021

NO OFFENSE—4

WHEN BITTERNESS TAKES OVER

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. —Hebrews 12:14-15 (NIV)

Bitterness is a hidden destroyer.

Bitterness poisons others.

miaino:stain, pollute, or contaminate

How Do You Kill a Root of Bitterness?

Expose the objects of your bitterness.

Description automatically generated Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. —Ephesians 5:11 (NIV)

Cancel their debt.

… ‘You wicked servant,’ he said ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. —Matthew 18:32-35 (NIV)

Bless your offender.

But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. —Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)

eulogeo: to speak well of

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger brawling and slander along with every form of malice. Be kind, and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. —Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)