Bitterness, Avoidance The devil is an expert in spiritual destruction (I Pet. 5: 8, 2 Cor. 2: 11, I John 2: 16). He makes use of weakness (Matt. 4: 2, 3, I Cor. 7: 5). The immature may experience doubt (cp. Heb. 5: 13, 14). The mature may be more vulnerable regarding “bitterness.”

Bitterness, Avoidance Definition: “To embitter, exasperate, i.e. render angry, indignant, to be embittered, irritated – Col. 3: 19 (Greek, pikria)” (Thayer, pg. 509, said regarding the verb translated bitter, see Eph. 4: 31 and Heb. 12: 15, Greek pikraino).

Bitterness, Avoidance “19: Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them” (Col. 3: 19). “God knew how petty and trying some women’s ways would be when he said this. In the power of the new life one may manifest patience and grace under the most trying circumstances, and not suffer himself to become exasperated” (J.W. Shepherd on Col. 3: 19).

Bitterness, Avoidance Only a few will stand and keep on standing against sin and false doctrine! Comment: Knowing this can help us avoid extreme let down and then the too often bitterness and resentment to follow.

Bitterness, Avoidance “14: Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16: At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17: Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” (stress v. 17, Matt. 7: 13, 14). Comment: Also stress Romans 8: 31.

Remember we all sin and fall short of God’s glory! Bitterness, Avoidance Remember we all sin and fall short of God’s glory!

Bitterness, Avoidance “8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10: If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (I John 1).

Trials and difficulties develop patience and perfection. Bitterness, Avoidance Trials and difficulties develop patience and perfection.

Bitterness, Avoidance “2: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (Jas. 1).

A way of escape is always provided, God has promised! Bitterness, Avoidance A way of escape is always provided, God has promised!

Bitterness, Avoidance “13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Cor. 10).

Bitterness, Avoidance Going to God in prayer!

Bitterness, Avoidance “6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phili. 4).

Bitterness, Avoidance Some contend that the only way we can avoid bitterness is to produce watered down First Century Christianity, unity in diversity, and denial of basic doctrinal facts. Not so! A Christian can be a realist and still not be bitter.

Bitterness, Avoidance Only minority saved. We all sin. Trails result in good. Way of escape. The value of prayer.