CBN TEACHING SHEETS
Overcoming Bitterness and Resentment
By CBN.com
CBN.com
– When
you are offended or disappointed by others and allow the hurt to germinate in
your heart, bitterness and resentment will take root. Characterized by an unforgiving
spirit and generally negative, critical attitudes, bitterness and resentment are
sinful and self-defeating. They will color your conscious and unconscious thoughts
and actions. Allowed to fester, they will destroy and kill (Galatians 5:19-21).
However, they can be dispelled with love. What Scripture Says"Make
every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no
one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that
no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:14,15).
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with
every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each
other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31,32). "When they hurled
their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.
Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (I Peter 2:23). "Jesus
said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing..." (Luke
23:34). "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will
not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14,15). "Bless those who persecute you; bless
and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate
with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for
evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible,
as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge,
my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to
avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry,
feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will
heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good" (Romans 12:14-21). How To Be Free From Bitterness and ResentmentLife
depression and other emotional stress, bitterness and resentment can aggravate
or cause physical problems such as arthritis. You can be affected mentally, spiritually
and otherwise. Your relationships will always suffer. God can free you from
this sin. It is an oppressive and destructive emotion having its root in hate,
which is likened to murder. You must repent. No one can have peace and happiness
with such emotions tearing at him. If you have not done so, ask God to forgive
you and to come into your life right now. He will deliver you from the power of
the enemy (Psalm 91:3). If you are already a Christian, you should still ask
God to forgive you for being bitter and resentful. Then ask Him to forgive anyone
who may have hurt you, and toward whom you are bitter or resentful, even as He
forgives you. Seek to be baptized with the Holy Spirit if you are not already.
Look for opportunities to demonstrate love to the person who offended you. God
forgives and forgets sin. However, you may have made your best effort to forgive
and forget and find that you cannot. God can help you to cleanse your memory.
Instead of remembering with malice and hurt, remember with forgiveness. Then go
one step further and ask God to forgive your offender. By forgiving and then asking
God to forgive your offender, you release God to bless you and the other person.
As You PrayPray in this manner: Father, I acknowledge that
I've held resentment and bitterness against _______________. I confess this as
sin and ask you to forgive me. I forgive __________________. Remind me, Lord,
to not hold any more resentments, but rather to love this person. Father, I ask
you to also forgive ______________________. Thank you for hearing and answering
my prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen. If you prayed that prayer, please send
us an e-mail to let us know. Or you can call our National
Counseling Center at (800) 759-0700. We would love to
talk with you and send you some literature to help you
continue in your walk with the Lord.
References/Homework
| BITTERNESS | HATRED | | Acts
8:23 | Leviticus 19:17 | | Romans
3:14 | Proverbs 10:12 | | Ephesians
4:31 | Proverbs 15:17 | | Hebrews
12:15 | 1 John 2:9 | | James
3:14 | 1 John 4:20 | | |
| ENVY | MALICE | | Psalms
37:1 | 1 Corin. 5:8, 14:20 | | Proverbs
3:31 | Colossians 3:8 | | Proverbs
23:17 | 1 Peter 2:1 | | Galatians
5:26 | Esther 3:6 | | Genesis
26:14 | Psalms 140:3 | | Matthew
27:18 | Isa. 59:4,5 Matt. 27:23 | | John
12:10, Acts 7:54 | Scripture references are taken form
the New American Standard translation of the Bible. More CBN Teaching Sheets More from Spiritual Life
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