“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice,” (Ephesians 4:29).
Children of God often find themselves in situations where they must learn and grow from the experience or they will become angry and perhaps even bitter. The wise man wrote in Proverbs 16:32, “He that is slow to anger is better that the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit that he that taketh a city.” When one is feeling bitterness, he should remember the exhortation given in the letter of Hebrews: “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).
No good can come from a heart that is filled with bitterness. A bitter heart will cause one to bring shame on oneself and will, in a child of God, bring grief to God. Paul wrote “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”, (Ephesians 4:30).
A bitter heart is opposite to the heart that God desires to be in His people. Paul wrote, “And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you,” (Ephesians 4:32). James wrote, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God,” (James 1:19, 20).
When one is feeling bitter, he should follow the example and teaching of Jesus: He lived to glorify God and even in the darkest moment of life He offered forgiveness to those who had placed Him on the cross, (John 12:32; Matthew 11:28-30). In the greatest sermon ever spoken, Jesus stated, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust,” (Matthew 5:44, 45).
Like Christ, those who feel themselves becoming bitter should: Pray for the person who is making them angry, (Matthew 5:5:44). Ask God for help in controlling their actions, so that they do not get caught up in sin, (Ephesians 4:26). Allow God’s word to be the guide and allow the Lord to avenge in whatever way He sees fit, (Romans 12:19).
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