THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:  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 12:14‭-‬15 (KJV)

In his book "None of these diseases", S.I. McMillen wrote:- "The moment I start hating a man, I become his slave. The man I hate bounds me wherever I go. I can't escape his tyranical grasp on my mind. The man I hate may be many miles from my bedroom, but, more cruel than any slave driver, he whips my thoughts into such a frenzy that my innerspring mattress becomes a rack of torture. The lowliest of the serfs can sleep, but not I. I really must acknowledge the fact that I am a slave to every man whom I pour the vials of my wrath".

"For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."-Acts 8:23

Bitterness is a plantation of trouble and a orchard of defilement (Hebrews 12:15). The gardener of that farmland is a terrible slave driver that must be avoided like a plague (Acts 8:23). He is a latent murderer with proven track record (1 John 3:15). This slave driver sponsored the first murder case in the world. The callous gardener drove Cain to kill his only brother - Abel when the floor light of the field had been switched off (Genesis 4:5-8). That callous act made God to pronounce irreversible curse on the fugitive and vagabond called Cain immediately (Genesis 4:11-13).

"Those who hate others are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life in them".- 1 John 3:15 (GNT)

Friends, it is unfortunate that the plantation of bitterness is still being inhabited by many people in this generation. They are locked up and tortured like murderers by their wicked slave driver. I hope you are not among those prisoners of bitterness in our world today? If you are, then, please set yourself free today. No matter the gravity of the offence, please forgive and never let the sun go down upon your wrath again (Ephesians 4:26, 32). Always strive to make peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14). However, it is impossible to make peace, if you don't know the Prince of Peace. Therefore, I urge you to please surrender or rededicate your life to Jesus Christ today. If you do, you will graciously walk you out of the terrible prison of bitterness and resentment.  

"Never be bitter, angry, or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ"- Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 (ERV)

A very powerful poem that summarises the root of bitterness is titled "Anger and Bitterness". As you meditate on this poem below, I trust God to depopulate the prison of bitterness and hatred today. 

ANGER AND BITTERNESS By Dan Thompson

Anger and Bitterness is a sin

That destroys a person from within

It robs a person of life

And delivers nothing but strife

Anger and Bitterness is a cancer that will spread

Until inside that person is spiritually dead

Besides affecting the soul it will affect the body too

There have been studies to prove what I say is true

Now the Lord warns us from this to stay away

So from Him we will not stray

Anger will end a friendship

Even those that have survived many a hardship

Anger and Bitterness can make a person Vindictive be

Blinding them so the truth they cannot see

It really is sad to watch the path

That leads the person to even more wrath

Some in a family try to sow strife

So in others Anger and Bitterness will come to life

These people love to watch and see

Their work destroy a person's glee

Now sometimes the problem stems from within

And not from someone that is kin

They get angry in what they hear

Pride may be what robs them of their cheer

Now no matter what the reason may be

Anger and Bitterness in a life should never be

For it will grow and spread

And you will become a person others dread

It's my prayer that the Holy Spirit will dry up every root of bitterness springing up across our land among ethic and religious groups. Every flourishing orchard of defilement shall be set ablazed and many captives set free. The Prince of Peace shall speak peace to every battle zone in our hearts, homes and nations in Jesus name.  Amen

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit -

http://okanlawon.webnode.com

http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com

Twitter: @tammytaiwo