Bitterness & Resentment

School of wisdom Seyi Olanrewaju 24th march 2013

Scriptures
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 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 - Heb. 12:14,15 KJV

Scriptures
Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison - Heb. 12:14,15 NLT

what is bitterness?
Bitterness is a negative emotion Any adverse action, reaction, situation, circumstance, etc. perceived or received as distasteful or distressing to a persons judgment is bitterness Bitterness is retaining the hurts that you feel people have visited upon you and not letting the feelings go

what is resentment?
ill feeling: aggrieved feelings caused by a sense of having been badly treated

bitterness & resentment

Is an emotional suicide Is a CHOICE It affects our health, well being and relationships (with God & man) Because of its poisonous nature, its a tool in devils hand Is a sin

where does bitterness arise?

It can arise from conflicts between
God and man Husband and wife Parents and children Teachers and students Leaders and followers e.g. national leaders & masses Arab spring Privileged and less privileged e.g. masters & servants housemaids Powerful and less powerful e.g. in rape

 What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone wrongs you?
Anger? Resentment? Desire to hurt them back? All of these are forms of bitterness

Terry Brooks

causes of bitterness & resentment

Hurt Ways we are hurt: a. By what is DONE to us b. By what is SAID about us c. By what is TAKEN from us

causes of bitterness & resentment

Loss of a precious thing or death of a loved one

 Misunderstanding, Grudges & Conflict

 Rejection, Disappointment or Broken promises

 Failure

 Abuse

 Feeling of Injustice
Justice Delayed Justice Denied Justice Diverted

 Frustration

 Illness or physical problems/limitations John Foppe, Lillie Velsquez

 Things not working out hardship or poverty

effects of bitterness & resentment

On Our Bodies Headaches, ulcers, sleeplessness, heartattacks, anxiety, fear, tension, depression, fatigue, backache, loss of vitality and appetite Addictive behaviours (drugs, alcohol, smoking, sex outside marriage, driving too fast) Suicidal tendencies

On Our Emotions Hypercritical attitudes

On Other People Bitterness spreads and infects others. They either catch the critical and grouching spirit from the bitter people, or they decide to avoid their company. And, of course, the rejection caused by the bitterness leads to the people concerned feeling even more bitter, and so the cycle continues. Loss of respect for person, people (e.g. tribal alienation Igbo vs. Yoruba, Ijebu vs. Ondo) or system

On Relationship with God & our Eternity Loss of Peace Loss of Communion or fellowship with God Unanswered Prayers Loss of interest in kingdom practices like evangelism, giving, intercession, etc. Hell

way out of bitterness

Recognize and appreciate Gods love
1John 3:1 (MSG) What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it--we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to.

 Gratitude
Rejoice and be grateful that someone could do stuffs to you Matt. 5:11 NKJV - Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake

 Self Examination
Psalm 73:21 (NLT) -Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen

 Willingness to forgive
Matthew 6:14-15 ESV - For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses

 Become a peace maker & loving unconditionally

Heb. 12:14 - Follow peace with all men Proverbs 10:12 ESV - Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses 1Jn 3:14-16 - We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

 Get saturated and be controlled by the word of God

 Constantly surrender to God and receive His help

 Become a peace maker & love unconditionally

Heb. 12:14 - Follow peace with all men Proverbs 10:12 ESV - Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses

Get saturated and be controlled by the word of God Constantly surrender to God and receive His help

 Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV - 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. Proverbs 20:22 ESV - Do not say, I will repay evil; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. James 1:19-20 ESV - Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

finally
4 Basic Taste Sensations & Human Tongue
Sweet Salty Sour Bitter

 You dont always have control what is done to you or said about you, but you can always control how you feel or react to it
When life is sweet, celebrate it When it is salty, enjoy it When it is sour, endure it When it is bitter, dont swallow it, spew it out Dont always swallow it, the bitter bud of the tongue is most times a place of no return

Thank You!

Questions & Answers