04 May Bitterness: The Poison of the Soul
As believers, there should be a huge contrast between how we lived before we knew Jesus, when we were living far from God and “hopelessly confused”, and how we live after we decide to follow Christ. When I zoom out and look back on the span of my life, I can see change, but up close it’s not always evident.
In particular, I think about the topic of anger that comes up over and over in this passage. Anger can be a good thing. Jesus got angry! Throughout history, anger has brought attention to injustices and crimes that have resulted in positive change. I’ve read a lot of commentary that talks about ways in which anger is not sinful and can be justified. I agree to an extent. I do tend to think my anger is justified. But most of the time, my anger is more selfish than charitable. I am self-righteous and defensive when someone disagrees with something I feel strongly about. I am annoyed when little things don’t go my way. I feel entitled to many more things than I am willing to admit. Can I just be honest and say that the vast majority of my anger is not godly? It is self-serving, self-protective, and self-righteous. Notice a lot of “selfs” there. My anger is much more likely to be the type to “give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].” Ephesians 4:27(AMP). Yeah, that sounds more like me.
Many of the sinful behaviors that Paul mentions here – bitterness, rage, harsh words, slander, foul and abusive language – stem from anger. I have seen the effect of bitterness, rage, anger, and harsh words up close. It’s not pretty. Bitterness about one issue gradually seeps into every issue, every area, every relationship. It cannot be contained. Its poisonous spread is toxic and devastating. Hebrews 12:15b says, “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Bitterness corrupts, divides, and devastates; it damages and destroys. Sounds like I’m describing almost any sin.
As much as I want to be immune from bitterness, unfortunately, God’s Word describes me, and all other sinners under the power of sin, in this way in Romans 3:13-14:
“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their tongues are filled with lies.
Snake venom drips from their lips.
Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
This is a harsh rebuke, and I cringe when I recognize the reality of my depravity in those words. I have harbored bitterness toward others, including those I should love. I have raged when things don’t go my way. I have spoken harshly to and about others. I have slandered friends and enemies alike. Venom has dripped from my lips.
In this passage, Paul calls us to stop, quit, get rid of these sinful, hurtful behaviors. Other versions use the words “put away.” That implies that these are behaviors with which we all struggle; they are part of our sinful nature. But the hope lies in the reality that these sins can be put away. As followers of Jesus, we can choose to put on other godly behaviors. We are called to tell the truth, to let go of anger, to give generously, to use our words to encourage others, to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. These are the hallmarks of our new nature, the re-creation that God does in our hearts and spirits when we surrender our lives to Him—when we give up control that we never had, when we choose to put others before ourselves, when we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit living in and through us. He gives us the strength, the courage, and the supernatural transformation that occurs only when He dwells in our being.
Our motivation should be to “not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” We should desire to live in a way that honors Him and that reflects who He is and that He is the God of life change. He bought us at a high price, with the blood of Jesus, yet this is all He asks in return.
Lord, forgive me for my unrighteous anger. Free me from bitterness. Teach my tongue to say only what is good and helpful. Transform my small-mindedness that keeps me living as if I am the center of the world. Change my heart, my mind, my thoughts, my attitude, and my actions to be more like You.
Am I living for myself and my own desires, or am I living for the One who never changes, who is Truth and Life? Am I letting the Holy Spirit renew my thoughts and attitudes, or am I licking my wounds and clinging to the past? Does my heart seek to honor God and others so that the outflow is encouraging, positive, and helpful?
-Keri Geary, Downtown Campus