Today's walk returns us to one of the most terrible vices that sometimes find their way into our lives as Christians. The Bible refers to it as the root of bitterness. It calls it poison; it spreads, festers and defiles. It is dangerous; it kills the one who lets it in. Don't let it have room in your life. So many have fallen victim to its deadly grip. Run from it with all your might. It requires great effort from us as we live in a world of sin, but Jesus, our elder brother, went through life without bitterness, and so can we.
The reason for the bitterness is often genuine, but can anything be worth such costs? I dare say no. Bitterness brings out the beast in us. It makes a beautiful person ugly. It defaces the owner. Absalom would know. The Bible records that he was a very handsome young man, much loved by everyone. He let bitterness take root, and it destroyed him and caused much harm. What happened? His brother Amnon raped his sister, Tamar. It was disgraceful, annoying, shameful and most uncalled for. He said nothing (bitter people sometimes carry on like nothing's amiss). He was angry with his brother for raping his sister but madder with his father for doing nothing.
Absalom, for two years, did nothing, said neither good nor bad to Amnon. Everyone must have thought it was all good until Absalom plotted to kill his brother Amnon. He did not stop there; he planned to take over his father's throne and win the people's hearts, but bitterness defiles, and its end is always bad. Absalom ended up with his hair caught up on the branch of a tree—the aftermath of trying to go after his father. Bitterness will take the life of its owner. Do not let it in. It is not worth the trouble and pain that accompanies it.
Ahitophel was a good man, a trusted official. He was righteous, and his counsel was sound. He never missed it until one bitter man hooked up with another. He was grandfather to Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, whom David killed. He knew it was a wrong thing David did, and when it was time to advise Absalom against David, what did he recommend? 'Sleep with your father's wives in the open.' In other words, do exactly what your father did to my grandbaby. Notice he started as David's adviser; he never said anything about David's crime, but we find that he was bitter. We learn from the story of his life that the poison of bitterness destroys from the inside. Ahitophel ended up committing suicide because his counsel, which until that point in time had never been rejected, was not taken. Bitterness will hang you if you don't hang it. The account is in 2 Samuel 13, 14 & 15
Beloved, who are you intensely angry with? You were wronged, we agree, but would you let bitterness take your life? It is not worth that trouble. You may have to endure shame, abuse, disgrace, whatever. They may abandon you, leave you alone with the children, or kill your loved ones. Whatever they did, you are the one suffering. Bitterness is like poison. It spreads like wildfire. You may be surrounded by fellow bitter souls who make it sound like you are justified in your anguish. Do not let it. It brings death to the camp.
Jesus came that we may have life. Today, I chose life, and I believe you should too. It is the wisest thing to do. Give the devil a deadly blow. Come out of his employ. Embrace life in Christ. Let all bitterness go.
