Did you know that bitterness is a sin? You are not alone. Unfortunately, it is rarely a topic for sermons or Bible studies. But you are in the right place. So spend a little time to see what the Bible says!

Created: Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Bitterness Is A Sin: Get Rid Of It Now

STM Bible Snack

Ephesians 4:31 [read Ephesians 4:25-32 (31)]: Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. (GNT); KJV: Let all bitterness (bitter hatred), and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
KJV Dictionary Definition: bitterness: In a figurative sense, extreme enmity, grudge, hatred; or rather an excessive degree or implacableness [unforgiving or stubborn] of passions and emotions; as the bitterness of anger (Ephesians 4:31).

How do we get rid of hatred?

Ephesians 4:32 [read Ephesians 4:25-32 (32)]: Instead, help one another and be kind to each other. Forgive one another. Remember that God has forgiven you because of what Christ has done. (EASY); KJV: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

James 3:13-14 [read James 3:13-18 (13-14)]: Is there anyone among you who is truly wise and understanding? Then he should show his wisdom by living right. He should do good things without being proud. A wise person does not brag. 14 But if you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, you have no reason to brag. Your bragging is a lie that hides the truth. (ICB); KJV: Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.; Disciple’s Study Bible: Wisdom is God’s will in action, not human knowledge in competition

“Repent of your wickedness…”

When Peter and John placed their hands on the Samarians, Simon—also known as “Simon the sorcerer”—saw that they were filled with the Holy Spirit. He then grew jealous and desired to buy that power. So Peter says:
Acts 8:23 [read Acts 8:14-25 (23)]: Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” (NLT); KJV: For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Christ died for us

Romans 3:14 and 5:8 [read Romans 3:9-20 (14); compare Psalms 10:17]: 3:14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV); KJV: 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.; See Romans 3:10-18.

The sources of the quotations in Romans 3:10-18

10-12 come from Psalms 14:1-3.
13 are from Psalms 5:9 and 140:3.
14 from Psalms 10:7.
15-17 come from Isaiah 59:7-8.
18 from Psalms 36:1.

Advice for husbands

Colossians 3:19 [read Colossians 3:18-25 (19); compare Ephesians 5:21-6:9 (5:25-33)]: Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage]. (AMP); KJV: Husbands (natural born men or males that married a woman), love your wives (natural born women or females that married a man), and be not bitter against them.

Be Careful How You Live

Hebrews 12:14-15 [read Hebrews 12:12-17 (14-15); compare Genesis 25:29-34; 27:30-40]: Try to live in peace with everyone. And try to keep your lives free from sin. Anyone whose life is not holy will never see the Lord. 15 Be careful that no one fails to get God’s grace. Be careful that no one loses their faith and becomes like a bitter weed growing among you. Someone like that can ruin your whole group. (ERV); KJV: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 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;

Replace hatred with love and maintain peace and harmony

Get rid of bitterness, hatred, and malice now. Replace them with love, so you can live in peace and harmony.
Proverbs 10:12 [read Proverbs 10:12]: Hatred stirs up trouble, but love forgives all wrongs. (NCV); KJV: Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

So remember that bitterness is a form of extreme malice, hatred, and anger. None of these are qualities of holy living. Please be mindful that bitterness is a sin. Get rid of it now! Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible snack. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺