bitter root = bitter fruit

“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.”

(Hebrews 12:15)

Bitterness is an attitude sin that devours and destroys. It is one of the deadliest, if not the deadliest, emotions one can have because it is from this root other emotions spring. Bitterness begins when an unpleasant and undesirable event occurs. It may be something said, done or perceived that causes a wound or disappointment thereby resulting in inner turmoil and misery. The object of bitterness can be a person, a life event or even God. Simply put, bitterness occurs when one is unjustly treated, real or perceived, and they do not respond righteously according to the word of God.
One may never see the root, but you can be certain, it does produce toxic fruit. Many times, bitterness can cause physical ailments including high blood pressure, ulcers and anxiety attacks because of the preoccupation with what happened or didn’t happen; what was said or what wasn’t said. The details are fresh in the mind and are repeatedly played over and over again on the screen of the thoughts.
Many times the root is buried so deep, the effects of bitterness become part of the personality and character of a person. Have you ever heard statements like, ‘All men are no good,’ ‘all preachers are crooks’ or ‘I will never be like my mom’ or ’I will never be hurt like that again’? Well, these statements are bitter root judgments or expectations that probably have grown into a full grown tree bearing toxic fruit including slander, suspicion, fear, a critical spirit and judging. Some construct ‘safety structures’ around their bitter root to protect and harbor it. To harbor means ‘secretly shelter; a place of refuge and comfort and security.’ Not only does bitterness affect the person but everyone who eats the fruit from the tree. A bitter person can defile every relationship when the resentment, animosity and hatred remain harbored in the heart. The writer of Hebrews says “many are defiled.”
Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve." Ask God today to reveal if there is any bitterness being harbored in your heart. Yield and surrender to the examination and allow Him to get to the ‘root’ of the matter.
To be continued…