Overcoming Resentment and Bitterness

Bitterness is anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly.

Resentment the strong and painful bitterness you feel when someone does something wrong to you.

Re – sentiment: Re – replay, sentiment – memory

New Testament references to Bitterness:

Heb 12:14-16 ESV – Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy …

Jas 3:13-14 NIV – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

Eph 4:30-32 ESV – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Examples of two lives filled with Bitterness:

Simon the sorcerer

Acts 8:9… He astonished the people of Samaria by claiming to be someone great. Everyone said of him… “This man is the great power of God.”

Bitterness is a sin and calls for us to repent

The prodigal son’s older brother. Luke 15

Luke 15:28-29 ESV – But he was angry and refused to go in.

His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

Reasons why we should stive to avoid bitterness:

Robs us of God’s grace! Eph 4:32

Proves that we don’t trust God! Rom 12:19

Because we represent Jesus Christ!