Bitterness Defiles All Who Are Around It

January 28

"It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
since any fool can start a quarrel."
Proverbs 20:3

There are quarrels that have lasted years, both parties believing they are right. The question therefore is: if you continue the quarrel another twenty years, what have you gained?

Let it go. It can't produce what you wish. If it hasn't yet, it won't in the future either, so just let it go. Be at peace with the person. THAT is gain. Continued strife is useless.

"...lest any root of bitterness springing up
cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;"

Hebrews 12:15

When one is in the company of someone filled with bitterness, the very air seems defiled. Those nearby come under the cloud of that person and become defiled just from being in his/her presence. There's nothing you can do about someone filled with bitterness. All your efforts to bring them to peace will fail, because bitterness is a monster that so entangles the heart of a person that it's almost impossible for him/her to escape it.

So what CAN you do?

When you are with a bitter person, simply don't enter into conversation. Don't open it up for him/her to spew his bitterness out. Do not argue, lest you open yourself up to bitterness taking hold in YOU. What do you do? Be quiet. Silence sometimes speaks louder than words.

"If it is possible, as much as depends on you,
live peaceably with all men."
Romans 12:18

And above all, pray for that person. Trying to change his viewpoint will fail. Fasting and prayer are the only things that can bring that person to freedom. Ask God to give him/her A PERSPECTIVE that will
enable him to forgive. Ask the Lord to heal his/her broken heart and set this captive free.



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