July 26, 2007

 

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

 

--Hebrews 12:15

 

I’ve never claimed to be the world’s best gardener. But I do know that if you let weeds go, they can take over an entire garden.

 

But to get rid of weeds, you have to do more than clip them off at the top. You have to dig them out by the root.

 

The same is true for the weed of bitterness.

 

Today’s verse points us to the need to deal with bitterness. And for good reason. It’s a root that can easily take hold in any one of our hearts.

 

What does a root of bitterness look like? It’s holding on to an offense, either large or small. It’s determining to hold hostility in your heart towards someone who’s hurt you. It’s anger towards another person that’s not dealt with appropriately.

 

What happens is this offense, hostility, or anger festers and grows. And eventually, it can take over your life! It’s like a cancer that metastasizes in the human soul.

 

Over the next several days, we’re going to be taking a closer look at bitterness and why you shouldn’t allow it to have any place in your heart or life. In preparation for that, I want to encourage you to ask the Lord Jesus to prepare your heart. Ask Him if there is any root of bitterness in your soul right now. And commit to digging up the weed of bitterness from the garden of your life!

 

if left to fester, bitterness will take root and destroy your life.