On Hatred & Bitterness
Have you ever noticed how much hatred and bitterness fills our world? How easy it is easy to hold onto anger and resentment? Oftentimes I think we feel more forgiving than we really are. I recently looked up the definitions for some of these terms, and here is what I found:
Forgive - to stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake; to cancel (a debt)
Hate - to feel intense or passionate dislike
Bitterness - anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment
Anger - a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility
Resentment - bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly
Considering these convicting definitions, let’s consider some important, but tough questions…
Is there someone you haven’t forgiven?
Have you forgiven everyone the way Jesus commands you to?
Is there hate, bitterness, anger, or resentment in your heart?
Do you realize the presence of unforgiveness may be a sign you are going to Hell?
What is forgiveness and why do I need it? How do I become forgiven by God? Forgiveness is the restoration of a relationship through the removal of obstacles and offense.
All people have loved themselves more than God and separated themselves from God through sin.
Jesus Christ is the only way for the obstacle and offense of sin to be removed and for true forgiveness to be experienced.
Why is forgiveness so important? Forgiveness is in imitation of Jesus and is evidence of salvation. May we show the world around us the greatness of Jesus’ forgiveness by extending it to those who deserve it…after all, Jesus did that for us.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
—Matthew 6:14
Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
—Ephesians 4:32
Why is unforgiveness so serious? Temporary unforgiveness affects our prayer life and can be spiritually crippling to our growth and health. Unforgiveness is ultimately a hatred of others which often demonstrates a hatred of God and self. Forgiveness chooses to trust God’s plan for justice and vengeance instead of taking it into one’s own hands.
If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
—Matthew 6:15
How can I know if I have truly forgiven someone? You see their spiritual problem before their other issues. You feel pity, not hate. You feel compassion, not anger. Your heart is broken, not bitter. You trust God’s revenge, not plotting your own. You bless them, instead of curse them. You pray for their salvation (if they are lost), not their destruction. You pray for God to convict, change and bless them (if they are saved). You refuse to bring up the hurt, instead of repeating and resisting the matter.
But love your enemies, and do good…Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
—Luke 6:35-36