Weeding it out

Christians need to look out for eah other-helping those who are feeling weak and guiding those who are heading in the wrong direction. This will guard against “any root of bitterness” that might pop up in the fellowship of believers. This phrase can refer to the bitterness of unbelief that can poison a church and the bitterness between people that can poison relationships.

Once bitterness is planted, it tends to spread like wildfire and almost always causes some sort of trouble. A bitterness that takes root in our lives, and pop up in our actions and words that can’t be taken back or undone. We can avoid the root of bitterness by dealing with our feelings as soon as they hit us. When hurt or doubt are allowed to remain in our lives, they provide nice and rich soil for the root of anger, and bitterness. With God‘s help, we can keep that root from having a place to grow, and if it’s already taken root, to be weeded out. Now put on those gloves, and let’s go weeding.

As always, I’ve provided some scripture to not only support what we’re praying about today, but to also help us if we’re experiencing bitterness in our lives.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;