Day 27 - The Bitterness Trap

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 35

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

I am amazed at how little attention the church gives to this critical aspect of life.  Unforgiveness and bitterness are so wrapped up in so many church members’ lives that we would think it would be a high priority for pastors and staff.  All it takes is a casual reading of Michael’s words today coupled with God’s warnings in scripture to see that everyone must look earnestly at themselves to see if ANY unforgiveness and bitterness exists.

DAY 27

The Bitterness Trap

. . . promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. –II Peter 2:19

           

When circumstances in life get the best of them, sometimes people passively respond by taking blame, rolling over, playing dead, and accepting all responsibility. There is no fear of change, for each morning brings comfort in the knowledge that whatever happens throughout the day, they are to blame. Similarly, but conversely, bitterness can become a compulsion; it assures a person that no matter what problem has arisen, someone else is to blame. Yes, bitterness develops the type of dependence seen with cigarette smoking, a habit which when started can be enjoyed when a person desires, whether after dinner, at a party, or during leisure times. Soon enough there develops an interesting phenomenon wherein instead of exercising free will, the smoker heeds the domineering call of the cigarette and goes whenever it calls. At this point there is addiction. A person specially created to listen to the glorious Father above listens instead to a cigarette below. The creature is a slave to a new master. When the misery of this revelation sets in, the smoker begins to make a series of vows and smokes hundreds or even thousands of what become known as “the last cigarette.” Soon frustration, anger, and even depression develop. 

At first bitterness is used as an excuse, but with the passing of time bitterness uses us. The fact most evident, yet rarely discerned by the bitter, is that whoever they are bitter toward has become their god. While in the wilderness, Jesus heard Satan make the request to "fall down and worship” him. The word "worship" involves the giving of attention; Jesus replied that only God would have His attention. Most of us have been hurt by others, but making them our gods by continuing to give them our attention is a greater tragedy. Do we want to worship those who offend, abuse, beguile, use, and neglect us? Jesus gives commands not to make us more acceptable to God but to ensure our happiness. Forgiving makes any person happy! When we forgive, we rule! When we do not forgive and become bitter, others rule us. The command to love is not for the good of others, but for our own good. What a deception the enemy imparts, that to obey will hinder our happiness. A paramedic once made the observation that he had never had an emergency call from a Bible study, yet he had received many calls from bars and parties. The commands make us happy and do us great good.  

Very quickly, let me mention one thing that is beautiful, but not really the main item of this day’s writing…worship. What Michael says is important, and we will delve into this more at a future date.

The bitterness trap…how few, especially in Christianity, have even the slightest realization that such an enemy exists.  In fact, the church has become so worldly in this respect, that holding grudges and thinking others should “pay” for any wrongs has become the norm in Christianity.  Ask any pastor how many of their members live here.

When Scripture has given us ample warning about being a servant other than to our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, and to avoid at all costs becoming enslaved to anyone or anything other than to be a bond-slave of Christ’s (as the Apostle Paul said he was)…how can we tolerate either of these in our life or the lives of our loved ones who know Christ?!? 

Three things stand out to me in Michael’s teaching:

1.   bitterness can become a compulsion, a dependence, an addiction, …how alarming! 
2. bitterness can lead to worship of the ones who cause us to become bitter …incredible!
3.   bitterness can capture us, enslave us, giving ourselves over to be ruled by those things/people that have offended us…mind-boggling!

And based on what God has taught us, all this is the direct result of:

·         Not trusting God

·         Not believing His teaching

·         Not forgiving

One of Michael’s teachings in this “day’s” lesson that so many Christians don’t believe:  “Jesus gives commands not to make us more acceptable to God but to ensure our happiness.”  Beautiful!  What a life changer!  There would be far less “feelings of condemnation” (which are totally unscriptural for any Christian!) and “struggle with trying to be a good Christian” (which is totally unscriptural for any Christian).  Accepting and resting in this one truth would lead to a more relaxed, more excited, more fruitful church!  And how many more “forgivers” would there be in the church?!?  Forgiving…one of the main parts of God’s being.  And it is to be just as “main” in our lives.  How soon we forget, or want to forget, the 70x7 story!  Or, don’t believe it.  Or, don’t believe it works.

Unquestionably one of the greatest decisions my wife, Barbara, and I have made since becoming Christians (and we made this decision over 25 years ago): “We cannot (and will not) NOT FORGIVE, no matter what happens to us, or what anyone has done to us.”  Bingo!  We are winners every time!  We are happy.  We rule.  Bless God, it is actually Him ruling in us and giving us His joy! 

It is our prayer that you, too, can enjoy being a winner always, and enjoy God’s rule and joy in your life…no matter what happens to you, or what someone does to you.

By the way, two words we learned from Michael:  “Well, amen.”  Try those two words the next time something or someone stares you in the face and “unforgiveness” raises its ugly head.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point      Green – IT, Incredible Truth        

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                         936-559-5696