Bitterness

A feeling of anger and resentment, caused particularly by perceived unfairness in suffering or by adverse circumstances.

The causes of bitterness

Adverse personal circumstances

Job 10:1 See also Genesis 27:34; Ruth 1:20 “Mara” means “bitter”; 1 Samuel 30:6; 2 Samuel 13:36; 2 Kings 4:27; Psalm 55:4–14; Proverbs 17:25; Jeremiah 6:26

“I loathe my own life; I will express my complaint and speak in the bitterness of my soul.

External circumstances

Ezekiel 3:14 Because of the exiles' hardness of heart. See also Job 21:25, Job 27:2; Lamentations 3:1–20; Ezekiel 21:6

So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.

Human failure

Matthew 26:75 parallel Luke 22:61–62 See also Ezra 10:1; Jeremiah 2:19, Jeremiah 4:18; Lamentations 1:4

Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Bitterness is evidence of a sinful heart

Acts 8:23 See also Romans 3:10–18

For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”

Bitterness is to be avoided

Hebrews 12:15 See also Ephesians 4:31; James 3:14

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.

The remedy for bitterness

Forgiveness

Genesis 33:1–11; Luke 15:25–32; Ephesians 4:31–32

The causes of bitterness will pass away

Psalm 37:1–2

Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.