I was surprised when I answered the phone and heard the voice of a church official. He wanted to arrange a meeting with me, and a fellow minister, who I had not seen in three years. It seemed this individual had an issue with me, and my caller wanted to clear up the matter. “OK”, I replied. I did not have a clue what kind of problem he could have with me. We had worked together at one point, but our ministry philosophies became so different, we both felt it best for us to go our separate ways. I had not given him much thought since then. Not knowing what to expect at this meeting, I asked my pastor to accompany me.
When we finally met, I could not believe how bitter and angry this fellow minister had become. He pulled out a two inch thick dossier folder of issues he had complied against me—even though we had not seen or communicated with each other for three years. After a lot of talk, the entire problem revolved around someone who, three years prior, had asked me something regarding this individual, to whom I replied, “I don’t know.” This was the reason that for three years he had stewed in bitterness. During all that time, I went about life not having a clue he was upset. On my drive home, all I could think about was how utterly stupid bitterness was. He had been miserable in himself over me telling someone, “I don’t know.” The reality was he did not hurt me one bit. He only hurt himself and probably those around him.
The writer of Hebrews uses the analogy of a root describing bitterness; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled (Heb. 12:15). This scripture teaches several lessons. Roots are not something visible and as a result, a root of bitterness can be tricky to recognize. Bitterness is an underlying problem that does not always manifest; rather it dwells in a person’s mind and heart. Peter calls it a poison (Acts 8:21). Paul writes that it is a sin, which can creep back into a believer’s life.
At our last home, I had a Bamboo Briar in my shrubs. I would pull it up several times a year along with the few attached roots. However, every time it would grow back. My neighbor, who was a horticulturist, saw me doing this, came over with his shovel, and showed me why my efforts were futile. About six inches below the ground, he pulled out a root with a large bulb attached. He cut it off, and the briar never returned. I had no idea this root and bulb were there—they were hidden. A root of bitterness is hidden.
The second lesson I see in this verse is that a root of bitterness causes trouble, and can defile many other people. If my neighbor had not showed me there was a hidden root, and how to get rid of this briar, it would have continued sprouting a vine every few weeks. If I had just let it grow, it would soon have produced other roots with their own bulbs. I have seen old abandoned houses that were covered with these briars.
Even though hidden, roots are the source of nutrition for plants on the surface. A root of bitterness can nourish anger, irritability, hatred, and a multitude of other negative emotions. People who have a root of bitterness typically are easily upset by others and always seem angry with someone.
After moving to Africa, because many people drove flatbed trucks, I began noticing that every time I saw one, I got angry. When I realized that for some unknown reason, a flatbed truck triggered something in me, I began asking the LORD to show me why. One day in a time of prayer, the Holy Spirit brought to mind an incident that had taken place when I was in the tenth grade. Those of you who know me probably cannot imagine me being a 90 pound weakling, but I was. When our agriculture class took a field trip, the instructor put us into the back of a flatbed truck with benches around the sides. The problem with this was there were not enough places. After I sat down, the school bully, who should have been a freshman in college by then, but he had failed numerous grades, decided he wanted my seat. When I refused to give it to him, he, being older and stronger, picked me up and threw me on the floor. This embarrassed me so much that I hated this 19 year old tenth grader. I eventually put this thought far in the back of my mind. In that prayer time, I realized now twenty years later, I still subconsciously hated this person, and I had a deep root of bitterness. I asked the LORD to forgive me, and I forgave him, even though, I had not seen him since he dropped out of high school.
After asking for, and giving, forgiveness, my bitterness and anger were gone. The root had been removed. Seeing a flatbed truck has not bothered me since. During Easter, you may have taken part in a Seder or Passover meal. One element of that meal was eating a mixture of bitter roots. This is to remind Israel of the bitterness of their slavery. We can apply that as Christians by remembering our bitterness as slaves to sin. However, if we harbor a root of bitterness, we can still be in spiritual slavery. Eat something bitter this week, remember the bitterness of sin, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there is any kind of hidden bitterness still in your mind or heart.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
Bitterness is stupid! God’s roots produce good fruit—the fruit of the Spirit. Is there a bitter root spoiling your spiritual garden? If so, allow the Holy Spirit to dig it out.