Each one of our taste buds contains 50 to 100 taste receptor cells. The tongue is covered with them. They sense five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, savory, and bitter. Most people enjoy all five. But bitterness is unique. It is a harsh, acrid flavor. Sharp, pungent, and unpleasant. Coffee. Dill. Cranberries. Brussels sprouts. Cocoa powder. For most, bitter foods are an acquired taste learned in adulthood.
But bitterness is not just a sense of taste. It is also a state of emotion. Being bitter with someone is a painful, vexing blend of disappointment and disgust. Resentment and anger. Sometimes hostile. Sometimes hateful. And every one of us has been there.
Romans 3:14 says, “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” All of us are guilty.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”
The First Root of Bitterness Is Outrage
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
The Greek word for clamor is krauge, which means outcry. The Greek for slander is blasphemia, which means to rail against. Outcry and railing. The first root of bitterness is outrage against another. That is the exact opposite of striving for peace.
Maybe the outrage is not screamed at someone directly. Maybe it is consumed through a steady diet of media outrage. If so, watch out. Bitterness is at the door, and malice is not far behind.
Combative talk does not belong in the church. The people of God should be known as peacemakers, not a bitter people.
Ephesians 5:1-2 gives the alternative: “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Put away the outrage. Instead, be kind and walk in love.
In the first century, “peace with everyone” was a radical teaching. Jewish leaders despised Gentiles. Greeks and Romans hated the Jews. Urging peace with everyone pushed against every cultural instinct. And in many churches today, “peace with everyone” is still radical.
Discussion
- Where in your life is outrage most present, whether spoken, consumed, or simmering under the surface?
- What does it look like to be known as a peacemaker rather than a bitter person?
Key Takeaways
- Outrage is the opposite of peace. Clamor and slander have no place in the life of a believer. Put them away.
- Consuming outrage is just as dangerous as expressing it. A steady diet of media rage feeds the root of bitterness even if no words are spoken.
- Walk in love instead. Ephesians 5:2 gives the antidote: imitate God, walk in love, give yourself up as a fragrant offering.
The Second Root of Bitterness Is Ego
James contrasts heavenly wisdom and carnal wisdom. Carnal wisdom is filled with bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in the heart. A clean heart is not bitter. A wise heart is not bitter. But a heart marred by jealousy and selfish ambition is bitter.
The ego clamors for its rights and its own point of view. It boasts. And it is anything but wise.
Verse 15 calls it what it is: earthly, unspiritual, demonic. And what is the fruit of jealous ambition? See verse 16: “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
It does not matter what side of any divide someone falls on. If bitterness toward others takes root, it leads to chaos and bad behavior. This kind of thing has no place in the life of a believer.
Instead, the call is to sow the seeds of peace. Everywhere. All the time. Verse 17 describes the wisdom from above: “First pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
Purity is important. But equally important is peace.
Verse 18 brings it home: “A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Bitter people are not known for making peace. Bitter people are not known for a harvest of righteousness.
Extend grace and take the ego down a notch.
Discussion
- Where has jealousy or selfish ambition crept into your heart and produced bitterness?
- What would it look like to be “open to reason” with someone you disagree with?
Key Takeaways
- Ego feeds bitterness. Jealousy and selfish ambition produce disorder and vile practice. James calls it demonic.
- Wisdom from above is peaceable. Pure, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, impartial, sincere. That is the alternative to ego-driven bitterness.
- A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace. Peacemakers harvest righteousness. Bitter people harvest chaos.
The Final Root of Bitterness Is Stress
There are countless examples of people in bitter distress throughout Scripture. Job, who complained in the bitterness of his soul. Hannah, who wept bitterly when she could not bear a child. Naomi, who lost her husband and sons and changed her name from Naomi (pleasant) to Mara (bitter). King David and his men when their wives and children were captured by the Amalekites. King Hezekiah, who was terminally ill. The prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations. Even Jesus and his disciples faced persecution and distress.
None of us are immune. Health stresses. Money stresses. Family stresses. Work stresses.
But on the cross, something remarkable happened. Matthew 27:34 says they offered Jesus wine mixed with gall, the bitter herb myrrh. And when he tasted it, he would not drink it.
Jesus refused to sip from the cup of bitterness. Not even in his distress.
Hardship is a part of every adult’s life. How that hardship is handled can change someone’s world and bring God glory.
“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”
No circumstance can separate from the love of Christ. Not tribulation. Not distress. Not persecution. Not famine. Not danger. Not sword. Nothing in all creation.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Suffering is only for a season. God has called his people to eternal glory. His kingdom is coming. He is with us now.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The peace of God is a shield that guards the heart and mind from anxiety, and prevents the root of bitterness from springing up.
When believers face adversity without bitterness, the world takes notice. And that testimony can change lives.
Discussion
- What current stress in your life is most at risk of producing bitterness?
- What does it look like practically to “cast all your anxieties on him”?
Key Takeaways
- Stress is a root of bitterness, not an excuse for it. Hardship is real. But Jesus refused the cup of bitterness even on the cross.
- Nothing can separate from God’s love. Romans 8:35-39 is the promise. No circumstance, no matter how severe, can break that bond.
- The peace of God guards the heart. Philippians 4:7 describes a peace that surpasses understanding. It is a shield against bitterness in times of trouble.
Something to Sit With
See to it that no root of bitterness springs up. Strive for peace. With everyone.
Three roots to watch for. Outrage: put it away. Be kind and walk in love. Ego: take it down a notch. Extend grace. Stress: cast every care on him and rejoice, knowing that he cares for you and nothing will separate you from his love and eternal presence.
Bitterness is like knotweed. Invasive. Once it takes root, it spreads. The only way to deal with it is to dig it out by the roots, bag it, and haul it away.
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:15, ESV)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “root of bitterness” mean in Hebrews 12:15?
The author of Hebrews uses the image of a weed that springs up and causes trouble, defiling many people around it. Bitterness is like an invasive plant. Left unchecked, it spreads and poisons relationships, communities, and even churches.
What are the main causes of bitterness according to the Bible?
Three common roots are outrage (clamor and slander against others), ego (bitter jealousy and selfish ambition), and stress (hardship and distress that go unaddressed). Each one can take root in the heart and spread if not identified and dealt with.
How did Jesus handle bitterness?
On the cross, Jesus was offered wine mixed with gall (the bitter herb myrrh). When he tasted it, he refused to drink it. Even in the deepest distress imaginable, Jesus did not give in to bitterness.
What does the Bible say about peace with everyone?
Hebrews 12:14 says to “strive for peace with everyone.” In the first century, this was radical teaching given the hostility between Jews and Gentiles. It remains a challenging command today, calling believers to pursue peace even with those they disagree with.
How can I overcome bitterness in my life?
Put away outrage. Take the ego down a notch. Cast anxieties on God. And lean into the peace of God described in Philippians 4:7, a peace that surpasses understanding and guards the heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway.