Bitterness vs. the Grace of God

Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

A dictionary definition of bitterness may be the following: Keen sorrow; painful affliction; vexation; deep distress of mind, anger, wrath.

Bitterness is one of the most devastating human emotions that we all experience many times in our lives. Bitterness can become all consuming and destroy our lives and the lives of others. It often just creeps in below the surface. We then begin stirring up our imaginations with hurt feelings and a crushed spirit. We desire to get even but may allow the bitterness to bring a state of depression to our lives. Many deal with their bitterness by turning to addictive substances.

However, the Bible teaches that allowing the seeds of bitterness to germinate, root, and grow is a failure to appropriate the grace of God. God is faithful. He provides all the grace we need for every challenge of life. But we can fail to appropriate that grace, even though it is always available. God provides grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).

Bitterness and its fruit are a result of failing to appropriate the grace of God. Bitterness grows when I refuse God’s grace at the point I most need it (pain, disappointment, offense, loss). Bitterness is what happens when I demand repayment instead of releasing that pain, etc. to God. I can accept and learn from the disappointments of life by the grace of God. By God’s grace I can forgive others.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Even Jesus needed the grace of the Father when He suffered and died on the cross (Heb. 2:9).

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Bitterness is unresolved pain held without grace—when I refuse God’s enabling help to forgive, endure, and entrust justice to Him, my heart grows a poisonous root that eventually troubles me and defiles others.

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry