Proverbs 14:10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
Read Proverbs 14:1-35.
Bitterness is the normal reaction of a heart that is frustrated, disappointed, unsatisfied, or out of fellowship. Esau missed the patriarchal blessing, and “cried with a bitter cry.” Hannah longed for a child, and not having one, “was in bitterness of soul.” Family matters can often lead to bitterness. Paul wrote “Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter against them” (Col 3:19). And even the church is not immune to bitterness! The writer to the Hebrews said, “Look.ing diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Heb. 12:15).
The source of bitterness, of course, is in one’s heart. “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth” (James 3:14). The cure for bitterness is twofold: peace and holiness (Heb. 12:14). When one follows Paul’s directions in Philippians 4:6-7, turning everything over to the Lord in prayer, it is impossible to remain bitter about anything, because He is in control. Faith fills the believer with hope, peace, and joy (Rom. 15:13). And when the Holy Spirit fills one’s life with Himself, Ephesians 4:31-32 becomes a blessed reality: “Let all bitterness, and wrath and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving.”
The monitoring of the believer’s heart is his own responsibility. The command is quite clear: “Follow peace… and holiness… looking diligently lest any root of bitterness spring up.” God will provide grace. You must provide the attention and the will.
This devotional was written by Dr. Robert A. Cook. You can subscribe to his free email articles and listen to his Spirit-filled 15-minute messages at www.walkwiththeking.org. Used with written permission.
