Hey Clawson Family,

Song:

Scripture:

Ephesians 4:31-32 New Living Translation

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Hebrews 12:14-16 New Living Translation

A Call to Listen to God

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal.

Devotional:

Bitterness is not just a moment, a thing, or a singular event. Bitterness is a root system. When we allow bitterness to be planted in our hearts, we can’t produce the fruit of the spirit. Instead, we act out of the flesh. Bitterness contaminates things. It’s like a poison. Bitterness holds us back from becoming what God wants us to become. It bleeds all over every part of our life. 

What are the signs of bitterness? 

- A bitter person hates it when their enemies get blessed. 

- A bitter person wants God to feel the same way that they feel about someone instead of allowing ourselves to feel how God feels about them.

- A bitter person ignores scriptures dealing with their bitterness.

- A bitter person justifies their actions because of their injustice.

-  A bitter person is usually judgmental and negative - It is too dark, it is too bright. They sing bad songs, they need to sing good songs, preachers have a hat on, blue and orange shoes, and whatever it is. A bitter person is negative and critical; they always focus on what is wrong rather than appreciate what is right.

- A bitter person sounds defensive. A bitter people can’t admit that when they are wrong, they just live their lives on defense.

- A bitter person sounds like a broken record. They are replaying the hurt over and over again. And they will find as many people as they possibly can to tell their story to.

- A bitter person sounds manipulative. If they are offended, they want others to be offended as well. They get angry that others are not offended, too.

This is so destructive in the body of Christ. Just because a person hurt us, doesn’t mean they hurt everybody else. But when we are blinded by bitterness, we begin to manipulate and try to control the narrative about that person.

It’s no longer about getting justification, now we want  REVENGE…. 

Satan, by bible definition, is the accuser of the brethren. Jesus is the advocate for the brethren. When you are locked in a cage of bitterness, you become an accuser of the brethren instead of an advocate for the brethren.

The scripture in Hebrews says to be careful, watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 

If we are not careful, we have locked ourselves into a prison of bitterness. Bitterness is one of the most common strongholds in the church today. A stronghold is any area of our life where a wall will not allow the truth of God‘s word to get in.

Unforgiveness might be the greatest stronghold in the church today, stopping us from accomplishing what God has us to do because we are trapped. 

Bitterness is such a serious thing that has to be addressed. And we cannot address it by nursing our hurts instead of getting healing for our hurts. 

Journal: 

All bitterness starts out as a hurt. The next time you feel angry or resentful, what can you do to prevent a seed of bitterness from being planted in your heart? Write your answer in your journal.

Training:

Father, it can be really easy to think we know everything, but we’re not as right as we think we are.  Please remind us that You didn’t call us to be right, but You called us to love.

 In Jesus’ name, amen.

Decide to respond from a forgiven posture now so that when disagreements, debates, or controversies come up this week, you’ve already committed to responding from a place of love.