Bitterness (Part 1)

A definition of bitterness: holding on to or showing feelings of intense (strong) animosity (hatred, anger), resentment or vindictiveness (wanting to get back at someone). Some other words that describe bitterness are: merciless, unforgiving, holding a grudge. 

All bitterness starts out as hurt, and your emotional pain may well relate to viewing whomever (or whatever) provoked this hurt (generally, your assumed “perpetrator”) as having malicious intent. Bitterness is one of the most destructive and toxic of human emotions; an irritable state of mind which produces harsh and hard opinions of others. Bitterness is also described as an attitude resulting from something that is difficult to accept. 

When you are offended or disappointed by others, and allow the hurt to germinate in your heart, bitterness and resentment will take root. Characterized by an unforgiving spirit and generally negative, critical attitude, bitterness and resentment are sinful and self-defeating. They will color your conscious and unconscious thoughts and actions. Allowed to fester, they will destroy and kill. However, they can be dispelled with love.

1) God's Word warns us against the dangers of bitterness.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. {Proverbs 18:19}

A) When we allow ourselves to become bitter against others, we create walls difficult to overcome, which isolate us. 

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall [poison] of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. {Acts 8:22,23}

B) Bitterness is a sin that we must repent of.

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 [contaminated].{Hebrews 12:15}

C) Be on guard against bitterness, because it can do much harm to you, and others.

If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not [don't brag about it.], and lie not against the truth.{James 3:14}

2) Do not carry or keep bitterness, but replace it with love, kindness, and forgiveness.

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear [carry or keep] any grudge [bitterness] against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.{Leviticus 19:18}

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth [harps about] a matter separateth very [true] friends.{Proverbs 17:9}

D) Love can overcome bitterness, however, be careful opening up an old wound (hurt). It's better to forgive.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.{Matthew 6:14,15}

So likewise shall My Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.{Matthew 18:23-35}

E) Jesus made it clear, that we will suffer if we refuse to sincerely forgive others, when we know Jesus has had mercy on our sins.

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath [you are saving up terrible punishment for yourselves] against the Day of Wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds.{Romans 2:1-6} 

F) Our hypocritical, judgmental self-righteousness can cause us to harbor bitterness, while feeling justified in doing so, we may find ourselves experiencing the correction of God.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour [shouting or crying], and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice [desire to do harm]: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.{Ephesians 4:31,32}

And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.{1 Peter 4:8}

G) Unforgiveness is one of the poisons the enemy (Satan) uses against God's people, and it is probably the deadliest poison a person can take. 

H) Even if someone has mistreated or wronged you, God's love in you, is love enough to forgive.

I) Ask God to forgive you for being bitter and resentful. Then ask Him to forgive anyone who may have hurt you; toward whom you are bitter or resentful, even as He (God) forgives you. 

Here’s a simple prayer (insert the name of the person in the blanks):
Father, I acknowledge that I've held resentment and bitterness against __________. I confess this as sin and ask you to forgive me. I forgive __________. Remind me, Lord, not to hold any more resentments, but rather to love this person. Father, I ask you to forgive ___________ also. 
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.