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Lessons
For Christian Ladies
This
Series Of Lessons Was Taught By
Mrs.
James Modlish
Bitter
or Better?
Introduction:
Many years ago I
worked with a woman who was absolutely consumed with
bitterness; I also met a few Christians over the years
who battled this same malady in their lives. If fact, it
is often a dead heat tie as to who can be more
bitter...the Christian or the non-Christian.
We sometimes keep bitterness
as a personal pet; we feed it, pamper it, stroke it and
help it grow. And then when it gets big enough, it
reaches up and bites us. (Jas. 3:14-16) is a great wake
up call.
What
bitterness is:
A.
Likened
to wormwood in
(Proverbs. 5:3-4). Wormwood is a plant with a bitter,
nauseous taste, but with the ability to excite action in
the stomach and to strengthen.
B. Bitterness can be
a powerful motivator. (Deut. 29:18). Bitterness can
become a "god."
C. An enabler to sin.
(Psalms 64:2-4)
What
bitterness does:
(Ruth 1:10-21) - Naomi
found herself in an alien land and had suffered the loss
of her husband and sons. One daughter-in-law made the
choice to stay in her native land rather return with
Naomi to Judah, but Ruth professed her loyalty to her
mother-in-law steadfastly and traveled to Bethlehem with
her.
No one would discount
Naomi's sad plight; she indeed did suffer some real
trials; however...
A. Bitterness causes
self-pity. (Ruth 1:12-13) Another stunning example of
bitterness and self-pity is Jonah. (Jonah
4:1-4)
B. It impairs your
judgment. (Ruth 1:15) Naomi allows Orpah to go back to
"her gods" and advises Ruth to do the same. This was the
god Chemosh mentioned in (1 Kings 11:7) ...worship of him
involved terrible acts.
C. Bitterness changes
your appearance. (Ruth 1:19) Naomi wasn't recognized in
her hometown. Another example of such a change in
appearance is that of Cain in (Gen. 4:5) where it is
recorded that "his countenance fell." This is a deterrent
for me... I don't want my countenance sagging anymore
than it already is! The remedy for your countenance is
found in (Psa. 42:11).
D. Bitterness makes
you mad at God. (Ruth 1:20-21)
[1]. The
name Naomi means pleasant, but Mara means bitter. We
read about this name previously in (Ex. 15:23) in
regard to the water that the children of Israel could
not drink because it was bitter.
Where
bitterness takes aim:
A.
Husbands
[1].
Sometimes the focus of our love and hopes for the
future becomes the focus of our bitterness.
[2]. Women have a
great propensity to become bitter toward husbands than
the reverse. In fact, husbands are instructed not to
in (Col. 3:19).
B. Family -
Bitterness is a great tool for Satan to use in destroying
a family. (See Mic. 7:6 and Pro. 17:25)
C. Church - This is
critical. (Heb. 12:15) explains clearly that an entire
body can be defiled by that root of bitterness. And it
begins with only one person.
D. God - Ultimately,
all bitterness goes back to God. Whether it's family,
husband, church members, etc., it actually ends up being
an act of anger toward the Lord. (Proverbs 14:10) - "The
heart knoweth his own bitterness..."
Conclusion:
A. Accept God's
will for your life. (Lam. 3:31-33) He has a
purpose!
B. With God's help,
you can become an overcomer of bitterness. (Eph.
4:30-32)
C. Move on! (Phil.
3:13-14) This is a great time for a lapse in
memory!
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