Title: “Bitter Roots, Broken Lives — Pulling Up Bitterness by the Root.”

📖 Opening Scripture

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him..."— Psalm 42:11

I. What Does God Say About Bitterness?

Bitterness isn’t just a personality trait or a moment of anger — it’s a root issue, and God deals with it seriously.

“Let all bitterness... be put away from you, with all malice.” — Ephesians 4:31“The heart knows its own bitterness...” — Proverbs 14:10

Bitterness often disguises itself as justice or survival, but in truth, it poisons the very soul it claims to protect. God sees it not as a minor flaw but as spiritual contamination, and He calls us to remove it entirely — not just mask it.

How the World and the Word Handle Bitterness

🌍 Worldly Coping Mechanisms

• “Set boundaries.”

• “Cut off toxic people.”

• “Vent your truth and move on.”

• “You have a right to be angry.”

Worldly coping promotes survival, but it rarely promotes healing. It puts you in control but keeps your soul in chains.

✝️ Biblical Hope Approach

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” — Ephesians 4:32

Biblical hope doesn’t say “just get over it.” It says: forgive through Christ, by faith. It calls us to face the wound — not ignore it — and hand the offense to the only One righteous enough to judge it.

🔍 WORD STUDY – “Bitterness” (Greek: pikria)This word means sharp, piercing poison. In ancient usage, it described something so bitter it ruined the entire pot. One bitter thing — one unresolved offense — can ruin your whole perspective if you don’t root it out.

Worldly Change vs. Biblical Change

🌍 The World’s Strategy for Change:

• No mention of Forgiveness by way of the Cross

• Label it and wear it.

• Learn to live with it.

• Guard your feelings.

• Get used to the new, broken you.

The world teaches you to manage bitterness, but God invites you to uproot it completely.

✝️ God’s Strategy for Change:

“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” — Psalm 51:10

God doesn’t patch a bitter heart — He replaces it with a new one. He doesn't merely offer relief; He offers restoration.

Worldly Experts vs. Biblical Counsel

⚠️ Worldly Counsel Might Say:

• Join a Bitterness Support Group

• “You’ll always carry this.”

• “You’re the victim — protect your space.”

• “Processing takes time — don’t rush it.”

• “Just function and do your best.”

But functioning is not freedom.

✝️ Biblical Counsel Says:

“Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” — John 8:36“Forgiveness is not about them getting away with it — it's about you getting away from it.”

Jesus never taught us to tolerate bitterness — He taught us to forgive through faith, bless our enemies, and leave judgment in God's hands. That’s not weakness — that’s spiritual warfare.

I’ve seen bitterness steal decades of joy from people — and I’ve also watched forgiveness restore what bitterness destroyed. I’ve walked through more than a few situations where bitterness could’ve taken root. But by God’s grace, I’ve learned to let it go.

With decades of pastoral counseling behind me and a heart still open to God’s leading, I share this not as theory, but as tested truth. I’ve lived it. I’ve taught it. And I stand by it.

🔚 Closing Thought

Bitterness is a door the enemy uses to re-enter your life. Forgiveness is the bolt that shuts it.

Let it go — or it will not let go of you.

Pastor Terry

One Truth At A Time

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