A Root of Bitterness

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.


— Hebrews 12:15

When a person becomes offended and doesn’t deal with the cause of his bitterness, that bitterness can persist within him for a long time, eventually putting down deep roots in his soul. Essentially, this is the message of Hebrews 12:15, which emphasizes the importance of vigilance to prevent deep-seated bitterness. Bitterness in our lives doesn’t just hurt or poison us, but also other people. Hebrews 12:15 shows that we should diligently walk in a way that influences others in a positive manner.

The word “root” is the Greek word “ridzo.” It refers to a root that has gone down deep and is now deeply embedded. Therefore, the word “ridzo” often denotes something that is firmly established or fixed.

Has someone hurt you? If you fail to turn away from bitterness and eliminate it from your life, it will become deeply ingrained in you. Your negative opinion of the person who has offended you will become firmly established. As time passes, your judgmental thoughts about that person will grow, and in your mind, they will be thoroughly justified. This root of bitterness will become so deeply ingrained within you that your angry thoughts about the person who has offended you will actually start to make sense to you. 

When a root of bitterness becomes deeply ingrained in your mind, it transforms into a intimidating stronghold. This stronghold dominates your thoughts and feelings, providing you with numerous, and what you perceive as logical, reasons not to have any contact with that person.

The word “bitterness” was translated from the Greek word “pikria,”and it means “acridity (especially poison), literally or figuratively” (Strong’s Concordance). The Houghton Mifflin American Heritage Dictionary defines “bitter” as “exhibiting or proceeding from strong animosity; having or marked by resentfulness or disappointment.” 

Bitterness is like an acid that poisons your soul. It not only harms you but those around you. When it manifests, it often leads to mocking, insulting, cynical, and wounding behavior. Instead of seeking positive aspects in the person who caused the offense, bitterness focuses on negative remarks to influence others’ perceptions of that person.

If you find yourself always criticizing someone who has hurt or upset you, it might be a warning of a deepening root of bitterness. If this lesson convicts you, it’s imperative to confront and address this root of bitterness through repentance and forgiveness. You cannot just cut it off at the surface level and hope it doesn’t grow back; you must uproot its whole root system, intentionally turning away from your negativity and forgiving the offense and the offender. In doing this, you can find freedom from that root’s devastating control. However, if you fail to repent, allowing forgiveness to flow, bitterness will become so deeply embedded in you that it will eventually consume you with the evil it manifests in your life.

If the Holy Spirit is right now addressing a negative attitude you have toward someone, pay attention to Him. Spend quality time with the Lord. As you draw closer to Him, you will find yourself overwhelmed with the need to turn away from that bitter attitude. You will surrender that root of bitterness to Him, allowing Him to remove it. God desires to liberate you from this root of bitterness, but you must first invite Him to liberate you.

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Lord Jesus, I ask you to reveal any unforgiveness or resentment that resides in me, just waiting to wear me out and tear me into shreds. I refuse to allow any root of bitterness to grow deep into my heart. The moment I see bitterness trying to put down roots in me, I will dig it up and turn away from its evil influence in my life. I am tired of walking around with this offensive monkey on my back. He is heavy, draining, and has stolen sweet life from me. With your help, Lord Jesus, I will destroy this offense that has claimed my heart, I will rip up any growing root, and walking in forgiveness, I will stay free. Thank you, Jesus. I choose freedom. I choose you.