An Inward Look at Bitterness

There is a ‘visible’ ghost haunting the churches. It lingers, rises up, and spreads like a plague to simple hearts and souls susceptible to envy and jealousy. It settles in and reigns, brings down blessed servants, and shakes even well-established pulpits. It is a huge wave, like a tsunami

that seeks to sweep away all the beauty of the body of Christ. We need strong retaining walls to stop it. It is unsightly and cold; it divides and sickens because, as a rule, it clothes itself in garments the color of revenge. That is its favorite color. God says that it is so pitiful, and it considers itself so self-sufficient, that it even rejects His grace. I do not have the pleasure of introducing you to bitterness.

Bitterness is a sin that disguises itself as hypocrisy. No one is born bitter. It will always be difficult for a brother or sister to admit that bitterness has taken root in their life. There will usually be justifications and even arguments masquerading as discernment, because this bitterness is so cunning that it even believes itself to be wise, a counselor, a mender of every soul but its own. Those who suffer from this scorching fire stray from God’s purposes, judge others mercilessly, believe that everyone is against their views and decisions, and do not sleep with the peace and security offered by the joy of forgiveness. The apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesians: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and all malice be put away from you. (Ephesians 4:31)

One of the serious problems with bitterness is that no one is sufficiently helpful to convince you that you are bitter. On the contrary, they help you fan the flames of self-pity and revenge. Am I talking about the people of God? How sad to have to admit it, but yes, these things happen and ruin the work and consecration of many! A bitter person generally feels like a victim, deserving every kind of apology, and becomes depressed and self-deceived. “I am not to blame; the other person is,” says bitterness. And thus other sins no less detestable among brothers and sisters in the faith are added: resentment, anger, harboring grudges, gossip, desires for retaliation, defamation, discrediting others, and blasphemy. The list would be endless.

Margarita had a good voice and artistic gifts in general. She came to know the Lord and immediately became involved in her congregation’s praise group, where she eventually became its leader. Her spiritual life seemed very healthy. Her growth was meteoric, and her calling even greater. Then came the trial. From singing so loudly during rehearsals and on Sundays, her vocal cords became so inflamed that the voice specialist prescribed medication along with two months of complete vocal rest. But Margarita believed she was indispensable, and no one in the body of Christ is indispensable, no matter how virtuous or gifted they may be. In Magy’s absence, a member of her group suggested that Lucía replace her in leading worship until she recovered. Lucía not only had the face of an angel, but her voice seemed to have come from heaven. She had been sitting in the church pews, eager to serve and sing, but in her humility she said that she did not have the gifts of the ailing sister. Lucía very quickly won the congregation’s heart, not only because of her heavenly voice, but also because of the way the Holy Spirit guided her as she ministered to God’s people. Then jealousy came upon Margarita, and envious rage ate away at her brain.

She did not wait for the prescribed period of vocal rest and clambered onto the platform to continue singing, sending Lucía back to the pew of sorrow. She also busied herself spreading gossip about Lucía’s personal life so that shame would never allow her to sing again. End of the story: Margarita lost her voice forever, and Lucía, who forgave her sister without resentment or fuss, now leads a choral ministry greatly blessed by God. This is a mild example of what the root of bitterness can cause and, on the other hand, of God’s everlasting grace.

So then, what is the remedy for beginning to pull out the roots of bitterness? After Paul warns us about what we must not do (Ephesians 4:31), one verse later, the Good Shepherd gently whispered in his ear what he should write to us so that we might overcome and uproot our roots of bitterness: “Instead, be kind to one another, merciful, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ” (Ephesians 4:32).

Yes, I agree with those of you who are reading. It is not that easy. These are the trials God gives us, and if they are trials, they are meant to test us. Few Christians have not plowed the garden where their roots of bitterness lie concealed; it is just that we have been crafty enough to heap even more soil over them, trying to hide them from God’s patience. What a great Father of mercy we have, who puts up with so much foolishness from us!

The good news is that God knows us and loves us in such a way that He waits for us to admit, first of all, that the root of bitterness is a sin—silent at times, but always serious—an offense against God Himself; and, moreover, that confessing it will bring us peace and freedom and, above all else, grant us the enormous privilege of forgiving if we have been offended. Come on, do not wait any longer; go and embrace your brother or sister!

God bless you!