I learned to lean my head back with my mouth wide open, throw the pill down my throat, and swallow as quickly as I could. Still, an explosion of bitterness went off from the quinine tablet and lingered for hours. We took them as a prophylactic to lessen the effect of malaria. This was bad enough for my wife and me, but every week we went through same dialogue with our daughter. “Baby, please just swallow the little pill.” Then staring up at me with her big brown eyes as if pleading not to make her, she replied “But daddy, you know I can’t swallow pills.” We could only sympathize as we watched her chew up the bitterest medicine I’ve ever taken.
I know of only one other bitterness that is worse—spiritual bitterness. I admit I have experienced bitterness against others. Yet, I best understood the futility of this sin when I learned someone had been bitter at me for three years almost destroying his walk with God. First, he based it on an action I never did. But the real eye opener came from the fact he lived in misery for three years and I never even knew it. His bitterness never affected me in the least. Someone said that bitterness toward someone is like drinking poison to kill your enemy. You suffer the pain of your bitterness.
The original word meant pointed, sharp, or painful and progressed to mean sharp and pungent to taste and smell. By the time of the New Testament, writers also used it metaphorically indicating extreme wickedness, evil speaking, hatred, anger, and resentful. The experiences of life with its hardships, sorrow, and grief can bring feelings of bitterness. However, these are not always sinful. In Revelation, the angel gave John a little book and commanded him to eat it. He also told him it would be sweet as honey in his mouth, but it will make your stomach bitter (Rev 10:9). The problem arises when we hang onto bitterness. Paul cautioned, husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them (Col 3:19). James warned not to allow bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart (Jam 3:14). Any painful situation can lead to bitterness against other people and even toward God, when we allow it to harbor in our heart.
In the Greek language, the first word in a list normally places prominence on that word. Showing the seriousness of bitterness Paul begins a list of sins with bitterness that he commanded the Ephesian believers to put away. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice (Eph 4:31). This grammatical structure places the emphasis on bitterness—equal to or greater than wrath, anger, clamor, and slander.
The writer of Hebrews wrote this letter to a church experiencing great persecution. These Jewish believers endured great conflict of sufferings, they were mistreated, put in prison, had their property seized, and denied access to the temple. Certainly, these circumstances could have easily led to bitterness. He first reminded them they have a better possession and a lasting one. Then warned, See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled (Heb 12:15). This verse provides much insight to bitterness. First, it is not always visible, rather it is a root hidden below the surface. But when it springs up it causes trouble and defilement to others. At our previous house, a large briar constantly wrapped itself around our shrubs. I would cut it off at the ground, but within a few days, it sprouted up and again weaved through the hedges. After years of this futile routine, my neighbor who was a landscaper saw what I was doing. He laughed and told me I had to dig up the root, which was a large bulb. Once I did this, the annoying briar never returned. Bitterness lies beneath the surface rooted in our hearts. Believers with a root of bitterness often display their hidden bitterness with a resentful attitude. They can be cold, harsh, and many times just unpleasant to be around. This can defile those around them.
Another lesson from this verse addresses how we get rid of bitterness. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God. The first step begins with confessing we are bitter at someone and then asking the Holy Spirit to dig out this root—even if our bitterness is directed toward God. He can help us forgive the one who hurt us and move us back to His joy, love, and trust. This is grace and we can come short of all its benefits. We speak of Jesus’ sufferings and death as the drinking of a bitter cup. Yet, He did if for the joy set before Him. Allowing God to do His work may feel like a bitter process. But look at all the people you are causing trouble and defiling. Our bitter quinine pill was terrible to swallow; however, it reduced the effects of malaria.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Take hold of the grace of God and let Him dig out any root of bitterness.