Introductory Thoughts
The believer is to allow no place for bitterness within his life. The book of Ephesians directly associates bitterness with the sins of wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, and malice. Each of these sins grieves the Spirit of God and ought to grieve the believer. As such, Christians are admonished to put away all bitterness. As bitterness shows itself in the depths of our hearts, we ought to immediately seek the Lord and plead for His help in removing it by its root. In a similar passage (Colossians 3:8), we are admonished to “put off” many of these other sins mentioned. Always keep in mind that bitterness does not edify the believer or those around him, nor does it glorify the Lord. Simply choose to obey God by putting away and putting off bitterness.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Read Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13. We are to be like our Lord. He is our greatest example. We must put away bitterness. God is never bitter against us. He is always ready to forgive. Even on the cross, He prayed for His enemies rather than allowing bitterness to spring up (Luke 23:34).
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(For everyone): When the Bible speaks of putting away bitterness, it does not mean for you to hide it away in your heart. Instead, it means that we are to turn it over to the Lord and allow Him to completely remove it from our lives. Will you put away bitterness?
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How does bitterness affect you? How does it affect those around you? How does it affect your relationship with the Lord? Does bitterness bring about anything good?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to give you strength to put away all bitterness.
- Ask God to show you the effect your bitterness has upon others.
Song
Wounded Sin, Now Die In Me!
