Simmering Bitterness
Simmering bitterness can lead to a lack of life in Christians and cause them to fall short of God's grace, but the Holy Spirit can empower them to overcome it.
David Wilkerson addresses the destructive nature of simmering bitterness, using the example of Joseph and his brothers to illustrate how unresolved anger can lead to spiritual stagnation. He warns that harboring bitterness blinds individuals to truth and hinders their relationship with God. Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of pursuing peace and dealing with anger before it manifests into greater issues. He encourages believers to trust in Christ's forgiveness and allow the Holy Spirit to help them overcome bitterness and achieve spiritual maturity. Ultimately, he calls for a proactive approach to emotional healing and reconciliation.
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Americans seem to have a habit of using cooking terms to describe emotions. For example, an upset person is described as steamed and an angry person is referred to as being boiling mad.
Think of the angry, accusing words that Joseph's brothers leveled at him. Satan prompted those words because he wanted Joseph to hold on to bitterness and spend years stewing in the juices of anger, revenge and hatred. Thank God, Joseph laid it all down -- he didn't allow it to simmer!
Are you stewing or simmering over some hurtful thing said or done to you? Is the flame of anger still burning, bringing you to a slow boil, and yet you refuse to shut if off? If so, you are in danger of boiling over. Too many Christians have no life at all because they hold on to a simmering bitterness, letting the emotion stew.
The Word of God warns against harboring bitterness: "Pursue peace ... lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled" (Hebrews 12:14-15). A bitter person will not listen to counsel; a bitter Christian will not even heed God's Word. Why? Because anger blinds the heart to truth.
Beloved, the leaven in your heart is hard at work right now. You may not be stoking the fires in the oven. But, eventually, the leaven will cause a rise. And, in a single moment of rage, it will bring forth the bread of iniquity!
This describes the lives of many Christians today. They've got a little leaven in their heart - some small anger or hurt they've never dealt with - and they won't face it and repent. Instead, they simply turn a blind eye to it. They may believe their heart is clean, innocent. They may even testify, "I have nothing against that person. I'm not stewing over anything."
But the leaven of bitterness is still at work in them - reaching into every area of their life. And the time will come when it will surface again, rising up like leavened bread - because it hasn't been dealt with!
The Holy Spirit will empower you to turn off the fires of agitation that trouble you. Trust in Christ's forgiveness and let him enable you to overcome every hindrance to fulfillment and maturity in him.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Danger of Simmering Bitterness
- A. Bitterness can lead to a lack of life in Christians
- B. It can cause a Christian to fall short of God's grace
- II. The Root of Bitterness
- A. Anger blinds the heart to truth
- B. It prevents a Christian from listening to counsel and God's Word
- III. The Leaven of Bitterness
- A. It can cause a rise in iniquity
- B. It can lead to a Christian turning a blind eye to their sin
- IV. Overcoming Bitterness
- A. The Holy Spirit can empower a Christian to overcome bitterness
- B. Trust in Christ's forgiveness and enablement
Key Quotes
“You are in danger of boiling over.” — David Wilkerson
“The leaven in your heart is hard at work right now.” — David Wilkerson
“Beloved, the leaven in your heart is hard at work right now. You may not be stoking the fires in the oven. But, eventually, the leaven will cause a rise.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize the danger of simmering bitterness in your life and take steps to overcome it.
- Trust in Christ's forgiveness and enabling power to overcome every hindrance to fulfillment and maturity in Him.
- Deal with the leaven of bitterness in your heart by facing it and repenting.