THE GALL OF BITTERNESS - A spiritual cancer

Bitterness is one of the most serious malaise that can be found in the human heart. Not only can it stunt the spiritual growth of a Christian, it can ruin a life and even bring death. Only a proper understanding of this emotional illness can protect us from it taking root or help us remove its cancerous effects.

God clearly warned us of this danger,
"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;" Heb. 12:15
ORIGIN OF BITTERNESS

Bitterness can come from disappointment of an unfulfilled expectation or some hurt. Hurt or pain turns into anger and then can lead to hate. Bitterness is the unforgiven feelings towards whoever or whatever caused the pain.

In the book of Acts, we are told about Simon, a man who used sorcery to gain power amongst his people as an unbeliever. When Philip preached the Gospel, he converted and was baptized. His old nature still remained as he tried to buy the power of giving the Holy Spirit from the hands of Peter and John. 
This is how Peter responded,

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts 8
I believe Simon was saved but allowed envy of Peter and John's special God given privileges to create a bitterness within his heart. Satan uses these moments of unsatisfied happiness to place a seed of bitterness within our hearts. This is what Peter called a "bond of iniquity".  

CONSEQUENCES OF THE BOND OF INIQUITY

I won't say that harboring bitter feelings in your heart will block all blessings or a relationship with God, but it will hinder its growth. In some cases, we might even be unaware of its presence or understand its effects in our lives. What is certain, is that it can affect our behavior in our personal life and block a deeper connection with God. The blessings of a greater communion with our loving Father can be retarded and never realized.

REMOVING THE BOND OF INIQUITY

Simon took this sin seriously and asked for help in removing it.
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. Acts 8:24
Asking for fellow Christians to pray for healing is a good start but inevitably only through personal prayer and a sincere dialog with God is what will result in complete healing.
A deep introspection is necessary to understand how the bond of bitterness began and relate its meaning to God.
Only by a sincere confession and determined desire for God to remove it, will He bestow a miraculous healing.

Every Christian should be able to look deeply into his or her heart and sense no ill.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Psalm 42:5
David questioned himself. It was a deep self introspection of what troubled him. We all must do likewise and be courageous enough to face our hurts.
To stand before God with a clean heart is a powerful position to be in.

SPIRITUAL ANTIDOTES TO BITTERNESS

Here are several things we can do to keep us from falling into bitterness.
  • Remember that God loves your very much. If Jesus died for you, nothing could stop Him from restoring your relationship.
  • Always be thankful. It doesn't take much to look at the sufferings of others and realize how blessed we are. Nothing is more important than our salvation and so everything else is bonus. Even difficulties can be for our good and even when we bring on ourselves trouble, God can turned them into a blessing.

 

 
 

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