Language Lab: What Is “bitterness”?

Language Lab: What Is “Bitterness”?

Bible Blast: Read Matthew 18:21-22

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

When you hear the word bitter, you might automatically think about food. Bitter foods have a sharp, mostly unpleasant taste. Coffee, olives, orange peel, and unsweetened chocolate would all be considered bitter.

The kind of bitterness we’re talking about today isn’t about food. It’s an emotional state of being frozen in unforgiveness. It’s what happens when we choose to be eternally angry rather than to let go of offenses. Maybe you’re still “bitter” from the time your friend hurt your feelings in first grade. It’s time to let that go!

As you read in the Bible Blast, Jesus commands us to forgive those who hurt us. Did you notice how many times? Seventy times seven times. Does that mean you should only forgive someone 490 times and not once more?

Jesus was telling Peter that showing God’s grace to others is not about counting how often you forgive. Forgiveness needs to be a habit and a way of life.

But what if someone does something super bad? Do you have to forgive even that person? Yes. Jesus doesn’t say, “Forgive people most of the time. If someone hurts you really, really badly then you should never forgive her because she doesn’t deserve it.” Colossians 3:13 says, “Forgive anyone who offends you” (emphasis added).

The only way to get rid of bitterness is by choosing to forgive, and that’s not always easy to do. But remember, when you forgive someone, it doesn’t mean that you’re saying what that person did was okay. Forgiveness just means that you’re not going to let that hurt control you anymore, and you don’t expect the ones who hurt you to do anything to earn your forgiveness.

Choose to forgive someone today!

Girl Gab: Mom and Daughter, do you each have someone in your mind you know you need to forgive? Start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear heavenly Father, I choose to forgive (name) for hurting me by (what he or she did). Help me not be bitter anymore. In Jesus’ name, amen.”