BITTERNESS IS A CONSEQUENCE OF UN-FORGIVENESS
Remember Matthew 6:12-15 (NKJV)?
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14 āFor if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
At the heart of bitterness is a hurt that is internalized and not forgiven.
CHRIST’S STRONGEST WARNING TO BELIEVERS
Perhaps the strongest warning Jesus ever gave to his disciples was in Matthew 18āHe warned that the results of a bitter and unforgiving heart were grave. For a moment turn there to Matthew 18:35, stand with me and listen to the gravity of Christ’s warning.
āSo My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.ā NKJV
Did you catch that? Jesus just told believers that we would trap ourselves in the prison house, and find ourselves in solitary confinement, tortured by the poisonous and sharp cutting edge of bitterness–if we hold onto an unforgiving spirit that always leads to bitterness.
BITTERNESS LEADS TO INTENSE INNER TORMENT