Hebrews 12:15

New International Version (NIV)

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

For Meditation

Bitterness is a killer. It often begins with a hurt, an offense, or a loss; however they may occur. The mind broods over it and processes it in a comparative and selfish mode. It mutates into anger and sometimes, rage. The ego demands its pound of flesh over every consideration in the courtroom of the heart. The accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10) takes his stand as chief prosecuting witness, and the pain increases. A verdict is pronounced and the accused is locked up in our prison of unforgiveness until who knows when (Lk. 18:34). By this time, bitterness has become fully grown and established, spreading its poisonous roots all around our heart. Meanwhile, the offender walks free, while we become the real prisoners of unforgiveness. But, wait a minute!

1. Who is the real winner here? Is it not our chief witness, the accuser of the brethren, who goes congratulating himself for inciting us to shut ourselves from something more precious to life – the grace of God (Heb. 12:15)? Was Christ not right when He called him the thief who “only comes to steal and kill and destroy (Jn. 10:10)”?
2. Have you recognized how, over time, the enemy becomes more authoritative and oppressive through our unforgiveness as the tentacles of bitterness spread wider in our heart? A pretty grim picture; don’t you think?
3. Have you been there before? I have, and I can tell you as a brother that it wasn’t pretty. When I locked myself in the prison of unforgiveness, with bitterness spewing its venom into my heart, I was the most miserable in the entire world. But interestingly, I never knew it until Calvary revealed it.
4. So, if you are there now, can I suggest a few things I did to free myself from bitterness?
   1. I acknowledged my hurts and pain and weakness to Jesus (Ps. 32:5), the One who suffered the most at the hands of evil men and yet, forgave us all (Lk. 23:34). The truth that He is able to empathize with my weaknesses encouraged me (Heb. 4:15).
   2. I asked Him to forgive and give me strength to let go and forgive my accusers (Is. 40:29; Dan. 10:18; Matt. 6:14; Col. 3:13).
   3. I told my accusers I forgive them; and O, what a liberating moment that was, when those words tumbled out of my mouth!
5. Can you do the same today? Can you release everyone from your heart and set yourself free so that the grace of God may flow in your life? Can you let go your spouse, children, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and bosses?

I pray the Lord to help all of us in our struggles with bitterness and unforgiveness today.

So: May He apply the Balm of Gilead where we may be hurting; and may His glory shine in our faces, as bitterness gives way to joy in Christ Jesus. Amen!

Shalom