Bitterness
can be defined as "an intense, deep-seated feeling of resentment,
indignation, and ill-will against someone or something which we feel has
committed an insult, injustice, or offense against us." It is an emotional
response which results from failing to properly deal with feelings of personal
outrage, anger, unforgiveness, and contempt. More so, is a condition which can
arise when we fail to adequately resolve feelings of personal injury such as
being humiliated, offended, unfairly treated, slighted, misunderstood, misused,
misinterpreted, wronged in some way, or having our rights violated or ignored.
What
Does Bitterness Do To Christians?
Bitterness
is like a festering sore (Quote: CEI). It is a cancerous condition which can
consume us with ill-will, negativity, slander, fault-finding, criticism,
complaining, and an argumentative spirit. The Bible compares bitterness to a
"root" and declares that many have been "defiled" by it
(Heb.12:15). The scriptures speak of a "root of bitterness" because
its potential effect upon our lives can be as widespread and entangle our life.
When bitterness is allowed to take root, it becomes an increasingly deadly and
destructive problem which chokes every area of our existence. If left
unchecked, it will completely contaminate us and eventually undermine our
relationship with God, spell spiritual shipwreck, and seriously damage our
relationships with even our closest loved ones and friends.
