There are two conditions of the heart no one can hide: one is when the heart is filled with love and the other when we are affected with bitterness. Either condition can take over our thoughts and both can filter our entire view of life. As followers of Jesus Christ we must make our highest quest to possess hearts full of God's love. How successful we are at revealing Christ's love is the true measure of our spirituality. Love cannot long exist as an unexpressed or hidden secret. If love is real, it will be seen in a thousand manifestations reaching to the heart of its beloved. Bitterness cannot be hidden. A bitter soul is not seeking oneness but justice. It is driven by the unresolved theft of its peace. Bitterness is just not a wound seeking healing: It is like a prosecuting attorney building a case against the guilty. Because a bitter soul is conjoined to the injustice committed against it. Bitterness listens to the voice of the heartache and is wounded by the unforgiven offense. Jesus said He came to give us life in abundance..John 10:10. He said He was anointed and sent to proclaim release to prisoners and freedom to captives..Luke 4:18. Do you feel like you have been spiritually incarcerated by bitter experience or an injustice. God is not seeking to condemn us from the unbearable burden of the past. How Do We Become Free? I know that I can say that I have been through much in my life since I have been in the deliverance ministry...I have been lied on, been slandered, and attacked many times, you could probably say I have had plenty of opportunities to be embittered by injustice. I will also tell you that every time I was hurt and wounded I wasn't healed instantly. Jesus said, ''Buy your endurance you will gain your lives'' Luke 21:19. Being wounded or suffering loss is not the issue Paul said he ''suffered the loss of all things. '' The real issue is that we 'may gain Christ. Phil 3:8. Let me also say this, that the Lord will simply remedy the offending situation itself, bringing healing. Let us make room for God's grace. Look what Heb 2:18 reveals....Christ is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.'' For no other reason except that He loves us. He will help us. Let us always make room for such grace. At the same time, God's highest goal for you is your conformity to Christ. Look at Rom 8:28-29...God Heals us so He can conform us to Christ, and sometimes He reverses that process: He conforms us to Christ so He can Heal you. In other words, your deliverance will come as you receive Christ's love and learn to entrust yourself to God even when you are wounded by injustice. Consider this issue of trusting God. Peter tells us, ''For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth, and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He utterer no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously,'' 1 peter 2:21-23. Many times my healing from being hurt and wounded and bitter came not because the person made things right with me who hurt me, but it was because I decided to give it to God, to entrust myself to God who judges righteously. To trust that God will vindicate me in His time and in His way is a sign of spiritual maturity. To entrust our case to God is the only way we can avoid countering reviling with reviling or allowing a wound to degrade into bitterness. I know many of the times when things has happen in my life and if I allowed it to linger too long it then would become an oppression upon my soul. As an antidote to becoming bitter, Jesus taught, '' Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad..Luke adds ''and leap for joy'', for your reward in heaven is great'' Matt 5:11-12. If you have been hurt and unfairly treated, if some injustice has spotted your name or threatens your future because of your faith in Christ, one antidote is to rejoice. Before you defend your right to remain miserable, let me ask this: Have you obeyed Jesus by leaping for joy? The Israelite went three days without fresh water. When they finally found water, ''they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter, therefore it was named Marah'' ex 15:22-23. Marah, you'll recall, means bitterness. They finally found water, but they could not drink it. The lord, however, showed Moses ''a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet'' ex 15:25. What Moses did was prophetic. The tree that was applied symbolically to the bitter water was a picture of the cross of Christ when it's applied to our bitter experiences: it turns the bitter to sweet. I know in my life the enemy has used many people to wound and attack me in many ways, as I applied the cross to my life-forgiving, blessing and letting love be perfected -the outcome has always been a greater manifestation of Christ in my life. This is exactly how Paul handled adversity and injustice. This is what He wrote, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Cor. 4:7-11). So is this not what you desire most: the life of Jesus Himself manifested in your mortal flesh? Lord Jesus, forgive me for trying so many times trying to save my life. I purpose to trust you, to allow love to be perfected within me, to seek not Justice but mercy for myself and others Help me, Lord. Reveal Your Spirit's power within me. Even now, Lord if there be any bitterness in my heart Please Dear uproot every bitter plant in my soul. Let my words be full of grace and truth. In Jesus name. Amen. Bitterness is known in the Bible as spiritual poison and a means by which many are defiled. Heb 12:15 "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." It is the source of countless spiritual and physical problems in millions of lives today . The Bible tells us that many are defiled by the means of bitterness. Bitterness can be tricky to recognize because it's not a symptom or visible on the surface like anger usually is. Many claim that they are not angry or a hateful person, but that's not what bitterness is all about. Bitterness is an underlying problem that doesn't always manifest on the outside, but dwells in that person's system. Bitterness is a root! What is a root? A root is a source, or a bubbling fountain that is laying under the surface. Roots do not directly manifest or make themselves known, but are a source of nut ] nutrition or fuel for other elements that are on the surface, you don't usually see a plant showing off it's root system, but if the plant didn't have a root system it wouldn't survive. A root's job is not to manifest on the surface, but to brew under the surface and fuel things that are on the surface. So let's take a closer look at a plants root system...where does the roots dwell? Under the surface of the soil. Can everybody see it's root system? No, because it's hidden under under the soil or surface. The same is true with bitterness in a person's soul. It is a hidden element that lies under the surface, and out of it springs up anger and other negative emotions against others and against the circumstances around us. People who have a root of bitterness find it easy to get upset over things that others are doing around them. It's like a brewing fountain that lies beneath the surface, waiting to fuel something that is on the surface. Bitterness can be kept to ones self....Do you know that many women who are raped develop awful emotional and spiritual bondage. It's not because they were raped, but because they allowed the trauma to get them. Many are in bondage today because they become bitter under the surface about what was done to them years ago. One of the ways demonic spirits gain access into a person's life is through rape and abuse and molestation. It's not the abuse or the rape or molestation, but the bitterness and unhealthily feelings that build up within a person who has been taken advantage of. Demons will thrive on bitterness and unforgivness, and it's a wide open door for them to move right in on a person and develop many spiritual, mental and even physical bondage's. Now many of these people who have been hurt, don't express it on the outside, but rather hold the hurt and bitter feelings inside where they fester and grow. I have meet many women who have been raped and abused and they are kind and loving and gentle people, but inside they are bound up because of what was done to them many years ago. Just because they aren't angry or outrageous individuals, does not mean they are free from the root of bitterness. As I said, bitterness is a root, and roots are not always visible on the surface. They may promote ungodly anger and other emotions on the surface but bitterness itself works under the surface. Bitterness is a root, thereby making it harder to identify and expose than many surface issues, but none the less it's a deadly poison that needs to be released. If left alone, it will grow and fester, and it has the ability to spring up many surface issues such as irritability, anger hatred, ect. Individuals who have a root of bitterness will often find it easy to become upset over little things that go on around them. It is easy for them to look at the circumstances around them as the source of their problems, rather than seeing how they are handling those circumstances. Instead of letting go and forgiving, they let it get to them, and it devours them alive. This is a very common route by which demons enter people today. Whether bitterness is manifest on the outside or not does not matter. Due to the nature of bottled feelings up feelings and emotions, they are not always made noticeable on the surface, but that by no means discounts the fact that they are there. If there is a root of bitterness, it needs to be cut off at the root and removed from one's soul. We need to make a choice to release all hurt and bottled up feelings inside our systems, and repent for holding that poison in our hearts. Turn from those feelings and forsake them, and allow the Lord's love to minister to your soul! Bitterness is a deadly poison that needs to be brought into the light and addressed in order to bring many people out of spiritual, emotional and even physical bondage. Bitterness is a means for defilement and countless sickness and disease are a result of bitterness. Wounds can fester into infections if untreated. That's exactly how unforgiveness works. Whatever was done to us pierced our sin, but if we keep prying it open looking at the wound, it won't be able to heal... instead, because it continually exposed to the dirty air, it becomes infected. That infection in the spiritual realm is welcoming to unclean spirits, which fester the wound even more. if something isn't done, the person ends up facing demonic harassment and torture, and becomes a very bitter and unhappy person.You may be saying or thinking right now, That the person who hurt you has NO clue what they have done to you! They don't deserve anything at all! Much less Your Forgiveness!! They certainly don't deserve what Jesus did for us either. Those who killed Jesus didn't deserve anything at all, but look at what He said just before He died, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do! ''look at the deep and rich mercy and love that Jesus has towards us...none of us deserve it! But He loves us for who we are, not because of what we have done. He wanted a relationship with us so much that He gave His life for it! When we grasp what Jesus has done for us, it makes it a lot easier to pass that grace along to others. We aren't letting them off God's hook, we are merely releasing our souls from bondage that un-forgiveness brings us under. You aren't forgiving them for their benefit, but for your own good! Your soul, not theirs, is what is being held in bondage because of the feelings you have allowed yourself to harbor inside. why should you allow what they have done to continue to bring you under bondage? I wouldn't let that person out of my heart...give it to the Lord and seek Him to heal the wounds they have caused. Forgiving others is sometimes very hard, but it is essential if you want to break out of the bondage that it's brought you under. Forgiving others opens you up for the Lord to begin healing your soul inner healing. Since unforgiveness blocks us from receiving God's forgiveness of our sins Matt 6:15, it puts up a wall between us and the source of our healing. I have seen so many people in spiritual bondage due to unforgiveness. It is a common source of bondage and demonic harassment, as Jesus warns us about in Matt 18:23-35.
Matthew 18:34-35, "And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." That is nothing less than a strong literal warning that a person can fall into the hands of demonic spirits for torment and harassment if they are unforgiving and bitter inside. I have seen it again and again, it is not common scene to find a person harassed by demons because of bitterness in their heart. Bitterness is also known in the bible as spiritual poison: Acts 8:23, "For I perceive that thou art in the gall (poison) of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." Unforgiveness not only gives demons the right or ability to torment us, but it also prevents god from forgiving our own sins! Now this is serious, this means that when we cry out for God's help, but have unforgiveness in our hearts, He looks down and our sins are before Him. It puts up a wall in our relationship with our heavenly Father. Jesus was very clear that if we are to be forgiven, we cannot be unforgiving towards others: Matthew 6:15, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Beyond this, bitterness is also a very common means for a born again believer to become spiritually defiled, that is, polluted or unclean spiritually: Hebrews 12:15, "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." Notice the word many in the Heb verse...this is a common means for people to become defiled and open themselves up for spiritual harassment from the enemy. Unforgivness is actually taking something that belongs to god, and taking matters into our own hands. God's Word tells us clearly that we should allow God to bring His wrath upon that person, and let Him have the room to repay those who wrong us: Romans 12:19, "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Those who have wronged us will reap what they sow. If you chose to forgive somebody, they may be off your hook, but that doesn't mean they are off god's word tells us clearly that what we sow, we shall reap. Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Unforgiveness is actually a form of hate against another person, If a person hates somebody, it is a sign that the person is lacking love in their heart. Why? They are not firmly rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, and Christ's love is not flowing through them. As simple as that sounds, thats how it works. what somebody may have done against us is one thing, but if you take Satan's bait of unforgivness to heart, it will do much more harm than they did. Do you want to continue to allow their mess to trouble you even more? Have they not done enough damage? Allowing yourself to hang onto hard feelings and become bitter is only causing your wound to become even more infected spiritually. Honestly tell yourself, what good is it doing you to hold onto the hurt and bitterness that the enemy has tried to plant within you? it is doing nothing but harm, and is holding you in bondage spiritually. The only reason you are holding onto those feelings is because it feels good inside. Don't let this fool you, bitterness is known in the bible as spiritual poison. Acts 8:23, "For I perceive that thou art in the gall (poison) of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." The reason Satan wants you to hold onto that bitterness is because it is poison to your soul. Jesus said that the devil came to steal, kill and destroy. Satan wants to do just that to you. Know wonder Satan makes unforgivness feel good... he wants your soul to be poisoned! Don't let him do this to you...stop him dead in his tracks! Release yourself from those hurt feelings, and let them go..stop holding onto those feelings, and let that poison out of your soul! As I said, unforgivness is a form of hatred which is actually a lack of love. If you are bitter with somebody, then the love of Christ is not flowing through you. So how do you solve that problem? You need to grow in God's love. You need to come to realize that deep and beautiful love that He has for you. As you learn of His love for you, your spirit will respond and you will love Him in return. When you love Him, your love will begin to flow through you to others around you. When that happens, it becomes more natural to see Christ's forgivness flowing through you to them. How do you come to know the love of God? You spend time with Him. You research His word to see what it has to say about His great love for you! Work on developing an intimate relationship with Him, and you will come to know His love. Here are some verses that can get you started John 10:11, 15:13, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep... Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." 1 Corinthians 2:9, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." Romans 2:4, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
1 John 3:1, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God..." Look at this one...you aren't loved for what you've done..but because of who you are! Even before you come to Christ, He loved you so much that He died for you! Romans 5:8, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." (NLT)
1 John 4:9, "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." If you have had a hard time forgiving others, it's because the love of Christ isn't flowing through you. How do you solve this problem? Start working on your relationship with your heavenly Father so you can come to know of His great love for you, and then your spirit will respond and His love will begin to flow through you naturally. When that begins to happen, forgiving those who have wronged you will become much easier. It is nearly impossible for somebody who is flowing in the love of God to hold bitterness inside! If you struggle with bitterness, it's because you lack the love of Christ in your life! You need too become grounded and rooted in the love of Christ, if you want His love to flow through you! I believe Jesus made it clear that if you love Him, keeping His commandments will naturally follow. If you love Jesus, carrying out his love will come naturally to you: John 14:23, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
What was His big commandment? To let His love flow through you to others around you, and love them as He has loved us: John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." The key to forgiving others,,grow in God's love! If you reach out to God, and seek a deeper relationship with Him, He will draw near to you, and you will find that deeper relationship with Him. God's word is clear about this fact: Luke 11:9-10, "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh fonder; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." James 4:8, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..."
The relationship is yours for the taking! Christ wanted this relationship with you so badly, that He gave His life for it! Your heavenly Father wants this intimate relationship with you even more than you do.What kind of relationship does God want with us? An intimate love relationship! You know forgivness is a choice. We must choose to forgive those who have done us wrong, then lay the whole mess in God's hands, and leave it there. Give your hurt and hard feelings to Him. Thank about Jesus... here they murdered Him, they didn't do that to you or I, and yet one of the last words that left His mouth were crying out ''Father, forgive them!'' Look at the depth of God's love for us! God's deep love for us from expressed through Jesus death on the cross. When we begin to comprehend the great expression of love that was towards us, that same love will begin to grow in God's love and become well aware of how deep and rich it is, because when we understand His love for us, we will find that forgiving roman 2:4 others becomes naturally and the choice becomes much easier to make. I remember one time, really having a struggle with a few people who I just couldn't get along with, I would pray and pray and ask the Lord to please help me to Love them like He loved them, it was so hard for me to do. One day I finally noticed that the love for these people was there, I felt it so deep and real true love in my heart at last. I felt such a love that welled up inside me that was not mere human emotion..I felt the love of God flowing through me! I finally was able to get my eyes on God's love for me, and that love flowed right through me to them...as a result, I loved them as Christ loved me. It's one of the most beautiful feelings in the world! This is my advice to you all...First sit everything that bothers you on the back burner, and seek your heavenly Father's love. Seek out a living relationship with Him and seek to learn of His deep love for you. Second, make the choice to release those hurt feelings, and allow God to heal the wounds. As you grow in His love, this choice will become much easier to walk out. If you continue to seek out a loving relationship with Him, it will change your whole perspective on life, and forgiving others will come naturally, and healing of those wounds will also become a very real and tangible reality.
