This week, I am considering five important points found in Hebrews 12:15-17. Here is the passage.
Hebrews 12:15-17 (ESV)
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; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
Last night, we saw that we can fail to obtain the grace of God by refusing to live according to the will of God. Now, the writer of Hebrews gives us a specific way of living that will cause us to lose out on God’s grace, that is, by living under the bondage of bitterness.
The word bitter is never used positively. It denotes something acrid, astringent, and disagreeable (Webster). It brings to mind situations that are accompanied by pain and suffering. We speak of a bitter death. Certainly, intense animosity is associated with bitterness. We sometimes refer to those who are bitter enemies. James goes so far as to say that bitterness is demonic.
James 3:14-15 (ESV)
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Why does bitterness cause us to fail to obtain the grace of God? It is because it is not only a sinful emotion but also leads to sinfully treating others. For example, it causes one to refuse to forgive others, something that God commands us to do.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
When bitterness starts to get the best of you, there is only one person who can do something about it, and that is you. You, Paul said, must put it away from you. Remember, all emotions are controllable. Some people live with so much bitterness for so long that they forget that they can put it away if they wish to do so. We are in real trouble when we allow bitterness to sprout roots in our hearts. The longer we allow it to fill our hearts, the harder it is to get rid of it.
Do not allow bitterness to make you its slave. Since being bitter is sinful itself, you cannot be free in Christ, free to experience the true joy of being in fellowship with God, while being under the bondage of bitterness. Instead of being filled with joy, which is a part of the fruit of the Spirit, you will be miserable and unhappy. In fact, now that I think about it, bitterness will stop you from experiencing any part of the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Do not allow yourself to be trapped in a state of acrimony, always angry at someone who something. It will prevent you from obtaining God’s grace. Living according to the will of God is impossible when you find yourself besmirched by bitterness. Let us all adhere to the warning of the writer of Hebrews.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.