Romans: Assurance, Providence, and Life in the Spirit: Romans 8:28-39

The Sin of Bitterness - Part 1

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2007-02-11

Synopsis: John Weaver introduces a two-part message on the sin of bitterness, focusing on its nature and consequences before an exposition of Hebrews 12:12-17 next week. He argues that the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit, with bitterness being one of the worst. Bitterness is described as a word used for the unconverted, an attack on God's providence, a source of individual and corporate defilement, incompatible with Christian faith and worship, and a barrier to being right with God. Using Esau as a key example, Weaver shows that bitterness is a personal sin directed ultimately at God, not merely at people or circumstances.

[John Weaver] All right, we are thankful that you're here today, and I want you to open your Bibles, if you would please, to Hebrews chapter 12. Now, let me just tell you that the message today is basically going to be the introduction to the message that I'm going to be bringing next Sunday. In fact, it is a two part message, and I will be dealing primarily with the text next Sunday. So, just because I do not give an exposition of it today does not mean that it will not be done next Sunday. So, there's a lot of material to give out before I can get to the text. So, we're looking at Hebrews chapter 12. We're going to begin reading with verse 12 and read through verse 17. And the message will be on the sin of bitterness. The sin of bitterness. Now look, if you would please, Hebrews chapter 12, verse 12.

[John Weaver] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 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. lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

[John Weaver] For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Herbert Lockyer, many years ago, wrote a book, and he entitled the book, The Sins of the Saints. In that book, he deals with many sins of the spirit. What you and I tend to forget so many times is this simple statement and simple truth that the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit.

[John Weaver] Now, how can I say that? Well, Let me ask that you turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 6 and 2 Corinthians 7 and let me explain that statement. Because I want you to understand that the sins of the saints are indeed primarily sins of the Spirit.

[John Weaver] Now, that does not mean that a saint cannot sin physically. He certainly can. That is not his primary sin. So if you look in First Corinthians, Chapter six, beginning there with verse nine, I think you'll understand what I'm going to show you. First Corinthians, Chapter six, verse nine. Look what the Apostle Paul writes. No, you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Now look at this next phrase. Be not deceived.

[John Weaver] So he says, don't be wrong about this. Don't have bad thinking about this. Be not deceived. Notice now, be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves of mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God. But note what he says in verse 11, and such were, past tense, some of you, but you are washed, you are sanctified, you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

[John Weaver] Now, what is the Apostle Paul saying? He is saying that if you think that a man who lives constantly in fornication and adultery and is an abuser of himself and sodomy and all this kind of thing, he says if you think he's saved, you're deceived. You're wrong. He says that kind of man shall not inherit the kingdom of God. That's what he says very plainly. Then he says, and such were some of you. In other words, if you have done that in time past, And you are now saved.

[John Weaver] You are no longer doing that. You're no longer a fornicator. You're no longer an adulterer. You're no longer an abuser of yourself. You're no longer effeminate. You're no longer wicked and wrong in those areas. Those are primarily sins of the flesh or physical sins. So He says, such were some of you. In other words, when God saves us, He saves us out of those sins.

[John Weaver] Now, if you look in your Bibles, 2 Corinthians 7 and verse 1, Look, if you would, what the Apostle says there. 2 Corinthians 7, verse 1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Now, what is the Apostle Paul saying? Does it do us any good to say, well, bless God, I'm not an adulterer. I'm not a fornicator. I'm not a thief. I'm not a whore monger. I'm not a drunkard. I'm not another. No, no, no. He says those are sins of the flesh and you should be cleansed from those. But primarily, he says, you should also be cleansed from the sins of the spirit.

[John Weaver] And when you begin to think about sins of the spirit, there are all kinds of sins, anger, malice, ill will, bitterness, resentment, bad attitudes, wicked attitudes. Now, the point I'm trying to make is this. If you are indeed a child of God, your sins are not necessarily going to be primarily physical sins, but they will be spiritual sins.

[John Weaver] Now, it is true a saint may sin physically, but usually that is not the case. Where our real problem lies is with spiritual sins. In other words, we are not to act like unbelievers. We are not to walk and talk like unbelievers. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4 and verse 17, This I say and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of the mind.

[John Weaver] So what is he saying? We are to be different. We don't walk like they walk. That is, we don't act the way they act. We do not conduct our lives the way they conduct their lives.

[John Weaver] Now, while it is true that we are sinners and that each of us are capable of committing any sin, the truth of the matter is this. The worst sins for a child of God are really and truly the sins of the Spirit. The sins of the Spirit are those which permeate and which literally destroy our walk with Christ and which will lead us to all other sins as well. All sin is wicked, wrong and ungodly and rebellious, but sins of the Spirit are really worse. When we talk about sins of the Spirit, we're talking about sins of attitude and disposition, which ultimately affect our behavior and our conduct. One of the worst sins of the Spirit is the sin of bitterness and or resentment.

[John Weaver] Listen carefully to this statement. Hardly any Christian escapes this sin. It is a sin that decimates, devours and destroys.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you about bitterness and you're going to see the word in the Bible. But our English word bitterness comes from the Greek word Picros, which is the Greek word for bitter. And it literally means sharp, pungent, bitter, venomous. And it denotes bitterness associated with grief, disappointment, hatred, and anger. Now, as you study in the Bible and look at the word bitterness, you're going to find that bitterness has an extremely close relationship with anger and malice and wrath. And so today I want us just to consider, very briefly, five truths in relationship to bitterness. First of all, bitterness is a word that is used in the Bible to describe the unconverted.

[John Weaver] Now, that ought to shock you. Now, there are plenty of words in the Bible that describe the unconverted. Lost, condemned, under the wrath of God. But it's interesting that one of the main words is the word bitter or bitterness that is used to describe those that are lost. That is true in the Old Testament. It is also true in the New Testament. Let me show you. Look in your Bibles, holding Hebrews chapter 12 please, but look in your Bibles first of all to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 29. Deuteronomy 29 and verse 18. Deuteronomy 29, verse 18. Look what God warns. Deuteronomy 29, verse 18. He says, lest there should be among you man or woman or family or tribe whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of these nations, lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood, or bitterness and wormwood. He said, lest there be among you a root. You remember in Hebrews 12 it was called a root of bitterness.

[John Weaver] Here it is called a root that beareth gall and wormwood. Deuteronomy 29 verse 18. Now turn right over to Deuteronomy 32 and look at verse 32. God is talking about the wickedness of Israel. And he makes this statement, for their vine is of the vine of Sodom and of the fields of Gomorrah, their grapes are grapes of Gaul, their clusters are bitter. What's he describing? He's describing a people who are idolatrous and wicked and he's comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah. And he says they are bitter. Now, if you look in Psalm 10 and verse 7, Psalm 10 and verse 7.

[John Weaver] Just showing you how this word is used to describe the ungodly in both Testaments. Psalm 10 and verse 7. Now, I want you to compare this verse with Romans 3, OK? So get ready to turn to Romans 3. In Psalm 10, he's describing the ungodly. In verse 7, he says, his mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud. Under his tongue is mischief and vanity. Now, we read the word mischief and vanity, but if you will turn in your Bibles to Romans chapter 3, you'll see how the apostle, inspired of God, writes that same truth. Notice, if you would, Romans chapter 3. beginning there in verse 13. Romans 3, verse 13. Their throat is an open sepulcher, with their tongues they have used as seat. The poison of asp is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and what? Bitterness. And if you compare this passage with Psalm 10, you can see undoubtedly the Apostle Paul had Psalm 10 in mind when he wrote that. So, here in the Old Testament, to describe an ungodly man, or in the New Testament, it is talking about someone who is full of bitterness and resentment.

[John Weaver] Now, look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 8. Everyone knows a story, or at least you should, of Simon the sorcerer. In Acts chapter 8, Simon was one of these individuals who professed to believe in Christ, but he was not really converted. He was baptized, but he was still not converted. He associated with the disciples, but he was still not converted. And when the disciples or the apostles came from Jerusalem and he saw that through the laying on of hands the power of the Holy Ghost was given, he tried to buy that power. If you look at Acts chapter 8, and let's begin reading there with verse Let's begin reading with verse 20. Here's what Peter said to Simon after he tried to buy the power of the Holy Ghost. One fact, verse 19. He said to the apostles, give me also this power that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the Holy Ghost. Of course, verse 18 says he offered them money. But Peter said unto him, thy money perish with thee.

[John Weaver] And that's a strong, strong word for perish. It literally means this. your money go to hell with you. Because that's exactly where you're going, Simon. He says, thy money perish with thee, or thy money go to hell with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Now look, thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee, for I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. You remember the word gall that was used in the Old Testament? Here it is again, the gall of bitterness.

[John Weaver] Now, the point I'm trying to make is this. If bitterness and resentment are used to describe the unconverted, and you have bitterness and resentment in a saint, then it is a terrible anomaly. In reality, it is a contradiction in terms, and it should become more evident as we study the subject of bitterness. Let me state this one more time. Saints are to be different from sinners. The converted are to walk differently from unconverted.

[John Weaver] Saved do not act like unsaved. So bitterness then is a word that is used in the Bible to describe the unconverted.

[John Weaver] Secondly, and I will explain this, bitterness is nothing less than an attack upon God and His providential dealings. Now, I want you to look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 12. I'm going to point this out in just a moment. When you and I think of bitterness or resentment, We normally think of bitterness and resentment being directed at people. I don't like him. He did me wrong. I'll get back at him. I'll nail him one day. In other words, we're thinking that bitterness is directed at people, and we tend to think it is the people or the individuals who are trying to harm us, embarrass us, belittle us, or hurt us in some way, and we tend to think that they are the objects of our resentment. Well, they may be indirectly, but in reality, our resentment and our bitterness is directed at God at his providential dealings. Now look at verses 15 through 17. Hebrews 12, God says, 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.

[John Weaver] Lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For you know how that afterwards, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected. Though he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."

[John Weaver] Now, in order to really understand verses 15 through 17, you have to consider the historical background, and that background is found in Genesis 25 and Genesis 27. So I want you to turn back there if you would, and let's look at it, and let me show you how Esau's bitterness, although he thought it was directed at Jacob, and reality was directed at God. Notice, if you would, Genesis chapter 25. And let's begin reading there. With verse 27, Genesis 25, and in fact, let's let's go back and let's begin with verse 22.

[John Weaver] And the children of Israel struggled within are the children's struggles together with her, and she said, If it be so, why am I thus?" And she went to inquire of the Lord. That is Rebekah, verse 23. And the Lord said unto her, two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels, and the one people shall be stronger than the other, and the elder shall serve the younger.

[John Weaver] Now, I don't have to remind you of the book of Malachi, chapter 1, and also Romans, chapter 9. where God said, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Alright? When he says the elder shall serve the younger, what does that mean? God chose Jacob. Right? Okay, now watch this. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red and all over like a hairy garment, and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, His hand took hold of Esau's heel, and his name was called Jacob.

[John Weaver] And Isaac was threescore years old when she bared them. And the boys grew, and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field, and Jacob was a plain man dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison, but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sawed pottage, and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage, for I am faint.

[John Weaver] Therefore was his name called Edom. Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die. What profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day. And he sweared to him, and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils, and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright."

[John Weaver] Now before I comment on that, turn over to Genesis 27. And let me read this passage and let's try to put them together. Genesis 27 and let's begin reading with verse 26. You know how Jacob has now dressed in the garments of Esau. He's taken goat's hair and put it on his arms and he's deceiving his father and he's making his father think that he's Esau. And so in verse 26, And his father Isaac said of him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near and kissed him, and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed.

[John Weaver] Therefore God, give thee the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine, that people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee, be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's son bow down to thee, Cursed be everyone that cursed thee, and blessed be everyone that blessed thee. And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from hunting. And he also made savory meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? He said, I am thy son, thy firstborn, Esau. And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? Where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it to me? And I have eaten all before thou camest, and have blessed him. Yea, and he shall be blessed indeed.

[John Weaver] And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. And he said, Thy brother came with satiety, and hath taken away thy blessing.

[John Weaver] Now, let's skip down, if you would, just to verse 41. Look carefully. And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him. And Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand, and then will I slay, or kill, or murder my brother Jacob. Now, let's go back to Genesis 25. Let me ask you a question. Think about this. Did not God choose Jacob over Esau? Yes. Did not God reveal that choice to Isaac and Rebekah? Yes, He did.

[John Weaver] They knew from the very beginning. Now, in order to demonstrate the wisdom of God in choosing Jacob, you have what is recorded in Genesis 25 when Esau came from the field And he told Jacob, I'm at the point of death. Give me something to eat. Well, first of all. Very obviously, he was not at the point of death. Because if you're at the point of death, you don't walk in to some place and ask for something to eat. You might get dragged there or you might get carried there, but you don't walk in. And so he wanted something to eat and Jacob said, well, I tell you what, you sell me your birthright. And Esau said, sure. I'm at the point of death. What good does that birthright do me? Now, here's the point I want you to note. Esau was willing to sell his birthright for temporal gratification and temporal pleasure. And the Bible says, thus he despised his birthright. What was the birthright? I hope you remember. there was three things included in that birthright.

[John Weaver] First, the birthright included a double portion of the family estate. So if there were four children, the elders then got twice as much as the other three. You say, why? because it was the eldest child's responsibility to take care of his elderly parents when they could not take care of themselves. That was God's divine provision for old age. Secondly, the birthright included headship of the family clan. There was a responsibility, not just of taking care of mom and dad when they're old, but there was a responsibility of being the head and leader of the family clan. And thirdly, it included the lineage of the Messiah. In other words, the Messiah, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, would be through that birthright.

[John Weaver] And the Bible says, that Esau despised this, and he literally sold all of this for a bowl of beans. Truly, Esau hated spiritual things. He had no use for them.

[John Weaver] Now, you ask, well, if he had the birthright, if Jacob had the birthright, now because it was sold to him, when it came time to receive the blessing, Why did Jacob try to deceive his father? Why didn't he just come in and say, Father, the birthright is mine. I bought it from Esau because he knew that Esau would not keep his end of the bargain and the blessing really and truly went with the birthright.

[John Weaver] And so here's what happened. He deceived his father and his father already knew that God had chosen Jacob. But yet he was willing to give that blessing to Esau because Esau was his eldest and he loved to eat of his son's venison. That was it. You have to say that Isaac wasn't right with God at this particular point as well because he was willing to go contrary to what he knew the will of God was. So Jacob had the birthright. The blessing went with the birthright. And he deceived his father and got the blessing to go with the birthright. Now, when Esau comes in and he finds out what Jacob has done, he lifts up his voice and cries. And he says, Bless me, even bless me, O my father. And Isaac said, I'm sorry.

[John Weaver] Your brother's come in, he's taken the blessing, and he shall be blessed indeed. Now, I want you to watch this. When you come down to verse 41, the Bible says in Genesis 27, that Esau hated his brother in his heart. Genesis 27, verse 41. And he said, after my father dies, after the days of mourning are over for him, I'll get my revenge. I will kill my brother Jacob. I'll nail him to the wall.

[John Weaver] Now, let's ask some questions. Why did he so hate Jacob? You say, well, because he got the birthright and the blessing. Why did he want to kill Jacob? You say, well, he was the instrument in taking that birthright and that blessing. Well, let me ask you a question again. Did you not know that God had already chosen Jacob? Did his parents not already know that God had chosen Jacob? Yes. Did Esau not know? Well, of course he knew. What in the world was Esau doing? Esau was murmuring and complaining and was bitter and resentful against God, but he pointed at Jacob and said, Jacob, you're the instrument, so therefore I hate you. But in reality, what he was murmuring about and complaining about was God's choice and God's providential dealings. He didn't like the way God had worked it out. He didn't like God's choice. He didn't like God's working it out. So although he indirectly pointed his hatred and his resentment toward Jacob, in reality, his hatred and his resentment was toward God. Why?

[John Weaver] He didn't like God's dealings. But to show you the irresponsibility of Esau, he was willing to sell it for a bowl of beans. He didn't care anything about it. It's kind of like we have two dogs and we can put a piece of food down for Dixie and she doesn't want it. She'll raise her nose and turn around and walk off. But when Hush Puppy comes up to get the food, she rushes back and takes it just to keep him from getting it.

[John Weaver] You know, that's literally what resentment is. I mean, you know, I don't want you to have it. I can't have it, but I don't want you to have it. It can't be my way, but I don't want it to go your way. Let me show you how we verbalize our resentment against God in such of these providential acts. We begin to ask such questions. Why did God allow this to happen? Why did this happen to me?

[John Weaver] How did I get in such a mess? Why did God even allow this man to be born? I feel so helpless. There's nothing that I can do about it. Why did all this come my way? Why did it have to happen at this time? What are we doing? We're saying, God, we don't like your sovereignty. We don't like your providential dealings in our lives. We don't like what you allowed to come to pass. You see, when you and I get bitter and resentful, it can occur over a number of things. It could occur over our children. It could occur over the loss of mates. It could occur over money. It could occur over accidents or what I rather call incidents. Because there's no accidents in a world that's ruled by God. But we just don't like those things that happen to us. And when we get disappointed in certain areas, we become bitter and resentful. Why? Because we don't like what God has allowed to happen in our lives.

[John Weaver] We've got to understand one simple truth. Whatever God brings to pass in our lives, He does it ultimately for His glory and for our good, whether we like it or not. Whether we understand it or not, it is still for our good. When Henry quoted Romans 8.28 earlier, and we know that all things work together for good, that is not saying that all things are good. It is just saying all things work together for good, whether we like them or not. Whether they're good to us or not. So, we've got to remember that bitterness and resentment, although we sometimes focus on people, in reality it's directed at God and His providential dealings.

[John Weaver] Thirdly, I want you to see that bitterness is the source of individual and corporate problems. Look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. Bitterness is the source of individual and corporate problems. Hebrews 12 verse 15, look carefully, look what God says, 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. Now I want you to note how that verse is written. Look at the latter part of verse 15, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble, who? You, individual, singular, and thereby what? Many, plural, be defiled. So bitterness and resentment, although it may start with one individual, spreads like an infection.

[John Weaver] Let's ask a question and try to answer it. How do we become bitter? How do we become resentful? How does bitterness and resentfulness develop in us? Here is the answer. Bitterness and resentfulness are the result of unbiblical and ungodly responses to people and problems. Let me say that again. Bitterness and resentment are the result of unbiblical and ungodly responses to people and problems. When we respond unbiblically, we always, always develop bitterness and resentment. It's just that simple.

[John Weaver] Let me point it out again, and please listen carefully. Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter. We make ourselves resentful. Bitterness and resentfulness are personal sins. The only way anyone can make us bitter is if we allow them to make us bitter, but we're actually doing it ourselves. We become bitter when we respond unbiblically to people and problems. Let me show you, very quickly, what God has ordained.

[John Weaver] I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all. Let's go to Romans 5. Romans 5. Then we'll... I'll tell you what. Then we'll go to 1 Corinthians and to James, alright? So let's go to Romans chapter 5 first. And look, if you would please, In fact, I can read the first three verses. Verse three is what I want, but let's read verses one and two so you can see the context. Romans 5, verse one.

[John Weaver] Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

[John Weaver] Now let me just stop there. You know what the word rejoice here means? It literally means to exult, to jump up and down in.

[John Weaver] Now look what he says. We're justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, we have access by faith in this grace wherein we stand, and therefore we exalt, we jump up and down, we rejoice in the glory of God. Now look at verse 3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulations work in patience. Guess what? The word glory in verse 3 is the same as the word rejoice in verse 2. He says, and not only so, but we exalt We jump up and down in tribulations also, knowing that tribulations work in patience. And patience, experience, and experience hope.

[John Weaver] Now, what does he say we do with our problems? We rejoice in them. We jump up and down. When's the last time you've actually said, thank God, I don't have enough money to pay my bills. Isn't this wonderful? When's the last time you've said, thank God, I'm as sick as a dog. Isn't this wonderful? We don't normally jump up and down in our problems. We don't normally exult in them.

[John Weaver] And God said the reason we should is that these tribulations, these tests, works patience in us, and patience works experience, and experience works hope, and hope makes God ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. What is He saying? Ultimately, it's going to be for our good, although it may not be good to us at that particular time.

[John Weaver] Now, look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 10. Here's another reason why we should exalt or jump up and down in our tribulations. 1 Corinthians 10, verse 13. Look what he says, 1 Corinthians 10, verse 13. There have no temptation, that is, there's no test. There's no problem. There are no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man. But God is faithful.

[John Weaver] Now look who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you're able to stand. Let's take right there. Stop. But God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you're able. God will never put more on you than you can take. If God puts something on you, you can take it. I don't care if it's the loss of a loved one. I don't care if it's the death of a child. I don't care if it's financial problems. I don't care if it's personal sickness. If God brought it to pass in your life, you can take it. And look what else he says in verse 13.

[John Weaver] There are no temptations taking you, but such as is common to man. So what happens to me happens to Doc. What happens to Doc happens to Henry. What happens to Henry happens to us. We all have the same things. It's all common. There's no supernatural problems. There are no temptations hailing you such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able.

[John Weaver] Now watch, but will with the test, will with the temptation, will with the problem, make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it. God always has a way out for us. You know what his way out is? Obedience to the word of God. That's the way out. And as long as we're disobedient, we stay in our problems. So why should we exalt? Here's why. Because God always makes a way out for us.

[John Weaver] He never puts more on us than we can take. And you're going to see that our problems are designed to build biblical character. And they will if we respond biblically.

[John Weaver] Now, look in the book of James. Right after the book of Hebrews, James 1 and verse 3. And we can read verse 4 as well. James 1 verse 3. Look what he says, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Well, let's go back to verse 2. Verse 2 is what I wanted. My brethren counted all joy when you fall into divers temptations.

[John Weaver] Now the word divers means variegated, many colored, different kinds. So he says, my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of tests and problems. Why should we count it joy? Knowing this, that the trying of your faith work with patience, but let patience have her perfect work that you may be perfect or mature and entire and complete, wanting nothing. He says, ultimately, if we respond biblically, all of these problems are going to build biblical character in us. So let me put it like this, God intends for our problems to be a strengthening process for us. He intends them to build biblical character. Where we sin is this, we refuse to act biblically and scripturally and then we resent what has happened to us. and we become bitter because it has happened.

[John Weaver] In other words, we don't use the problem as a stepping stone. We stumble over it and break sometimes more than our fingernails.

[John Weaver] Now, we tend to think that it is someone or something that is responsible for what has happened to us or what has happened to our family. or someone or something is responsible for bringing unfavorable circumstances in our life, and therefore we develop bitterness and resentment toward them. In other words, we view them as the cause of our problem. We fail to remember that God is in control and that nothing happens apart from God's divine intervention and providence. And whatever happens, He does it for our good and for His glory.

[John Weaver] Now, let me repeat this again. Bitterness and resentment are personal sins. Proverbs 4 and verse 23 commands us, keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. God has commanded us to keep our heart. So when we become bitter, when we become resentful, we're not keeping our heart. You know what the Bible says in Proverbs 25 and verse 28? Listen to this.

[John Weaver] He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down without walls. What's that mean? Walls were built around a city to protect it. You break down the walls, anybody can walk in, get what they want, and walk out. So God says he who has no control over his own spirit, it's like a city broken down without walls. People can manipulate you left and right.

[John Weaver] They can make you angry. They can make you bitter. How? Because you can't control yourself. My father used to box some, and I took some boxing lessons from him, and he told me this, and I never have forgotten it. He said, son, if you ever really want to hurt somebody in a fight, the first thing you do is make them mad. You know why? Because when a man gets mad, he loses control and he'll draw back for a haymaker. And when he draws back for that haymaker, if you keep your cool, you can step in and pop him four or five times before he can ever swing. Why? Because he's lost it. If you can control someone, You can manipulate them any way you want them. But if they keep their spirit under control, there's not one thing you can do. You know what the Bible says? Let me quote it. Proverbs 16, verse 32. Listen to this.

[John Weaver] He that is slow to anger. Is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit. It's better than he that taketh the city. So God says if you can control your own self, if you can control your own spirit, your mind, your heart, your disposition, your attitude, you're better than the greatest warrior that ever lived. But see, let me point this out too. What he said, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled. What is he saying? He's saying bitterness and resentment are infectious. It's venomous. It's like a snake bite. The snake might bite you on the arm, but pretty soon that venom is spread throughout the entire body.

[John Weaver] And that's what happens in a lot of church bodies. Bitterness and resentment spreads throughout, and God says that bitterness and resentment are contagious. They're infectious. Bitterness and resentment have cause and compounded multitudes of problems, but they have never, ever solved a problem. So bitterness is a source of individual and corporate problems.

[John Weaver] Fourthly, number four today, bitterness is utterly incompatible with the Christian faith and makes worship impossible. We're in the book of James. I want you to turn there to James chapter 3. Look at verses 14 through 16. James chapter 3. Let's begin reading there in verse 14. Look what he says. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not and lie not against the truth.

[John Weaver] This wisdom descended not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

[John Weaver] Now, James 3 verses 14 through 16 reveals the true nature of bitterness. Now, many times we try to hide our bitterness under a false zeal, under a hypocritical righteousness, or by masking our anger and bitterness and pretending that we have greater insight and greater wisdom.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look what Scripture says. Verse 14, if you have bitter envying and strife in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. Now, I want you to note the command is to glory not. What does that mean? It means that we're not to exult in it. We're not to rejoice in it. We're not to jump up and down in it. But you know, we often do exactly that. We glory in it.

[John Weaver] You say, how do you do so? Well, I've heard people say, I have a right to be bitter. Oh, you do? How about this one? Well, if you had to live with that man, you'd be bitter too. Or if you had to live with that woman, you'd be bitter too. I mean, come on. How about this one? I tried to tell them, but they wouldn't listen to me.

[John Weaver] They'll find out next time, won't they? What are we saying? I don't like it because they wouldn't follow what I wanted to say, and they got just exactly what they deserved. You're rejoicing in your bitterness. You're rejoicing in your resentment.

[John Weaver] Now, look what he says, glory not and lie not against the truth. This is something that if it ever hits home to us, it'll put a little difference on our attitude. You talk about an attitude adjustment. He says, glory not and lie not against the truth. In other words, when we are glorying or rejoicing in bitterness and resentment and bitter envy, we are lying against the truth. What is truth? Well, the Bible tells us in John 17, 17, number one, that the scriptures are truth. Our Lord said, sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth. John 14, verse 6 tells us that Jesus Christ is truth, the Son is truth. He said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh to the Father but by me. And John 14, verse 17 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. So when we are glorying in our resentment and our bitterness, we're lying against the Scriptures, we're lying against the Son, we're lying against the Spirit of God.

[John Weaver] How can we do that? Well, we lie against the Scriptures, for Scriptures teach that bitterness and resentment are to be put off and put away. We're lying against the Son because the Son commands us to meekness, humility, and forgiveness. And we're lying against the Spirit because the Holy Spirit does not lead us, guide us, or direct us into an unbiblical and ungodly attitude. So that means when we rejoice in a bad, wicked attitude, we're lying against the scriptures, against the Son of God and the Spirit of God.

[John Weaver] I want you to see in this that bitterness is not only incompatible with the Christian faith, it makes real, genuine worship unacceptable, not performable. If you've got that attitude, your worship is unacceptable. Why? Because you're overcome with bitterness and resentment and you cannot render to God that which he deserves, nor that which he demands. And he demands that you come with a humble and meek spirit and meek attitude, not a haughty, resentful, bitter attitude.

[John Weaver] Now, fifthly, and I want you to look in James chapter three again. Here's the fifth point, bitterness makes it impossible for one to be right with God. Let's just. Cut to the chase, here it is, bitterness and resentment make it impossible for an individual to be right with God. Now, we're in James chapter three, and I want you to hold that, but I want you to turn back to Ephesians chapter four. Ephesians chapter four, hold James three, because we're coming back there. But look in Ephesians chapter 4. Ephesians 4 verse 31. Look what God says. Ephesians 4 verse 31. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. Now, what is God commanding? That all bitterness, wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking is to be put away from us with all malice. In other words, we're not to do that. That is to be put off. Verse 32, And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you.

[John Weaver] That is to be put on. So God tells us to put off all this bitterness.

[John Weaver] Now, look in your Bibles to James 3, if you would, and let's begin reading there, verse 11. Watch what is said. James 3, verse 11. Here are the questions. Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries, either of vine figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh?

[John Weaver] Now, it is impossible to be obedient and disobedient at the same time. It's impossible to be in submission to God and in rebellion at the same time. How can we be right when we're wrong? Can a fountain send forth sweet water and bitter at the same time? No. One at the time. Can a fig tree bear olives? No. Can an olive bear figs? No. What is he saying? You can only have one attitude at the time. You can only be one thing at the time. If we're bitter and resentful and hateful and full of ill will. We can't be right with God. Because when we're right with God, we put those things off.

[John Weaver] We cast them from us. We don't want them around us. We don't want them near us.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you what will happen. If we want to hold on to our bitterness and our resentment. One of several things will happen. Either number one, we will cease performing our duties as a child of God as we ought. Let me explain what I mean by that. Are you commanded to read your Bible? Sure. Supposed to read it every day? Sure. You know, I don't necessarily endorse Dwight L. Moody's theology, but he did write something in the flyleaf of his Bible that I do agree with. He wrote in the flyleaf of his Bible, now listen, either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book. That's true, folks.

[John Weaver] You let somebody get their heart in a knot, you let them get their attitude wrong, they're not going to be reading this book. Why? Because this book is going to condemn their attitude and their actions. Either this book will keep them from sin, or sin is going to keep them from this book. Do you remember what David asked in Psalm 119, verse 9? Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

[John Weaver] By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee. O let me not wander from thy commandment. Thy word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. So, we will either, if we hold on to our bad attitudes, we'll either cease from our duties, or Our duties will dry up altogether. I have seen this a hundred times. People who get their attitude wrong, their heart wrong, used to sit on the front row.

[John Weaver] Next thing you know, they're out in the middle. Then they're in the back, kind of like the Batons are today, you know. And they get on the back row. And the next thing you know, they start skipping one service, then two services, then three services, then they're gone. You do it gradually. This is what I'm saying. You either, you either drop or if you stay, you do what you do grudgingly.

[John Weaver] I got to do it. I might as well do it anyhow. I mean, get it over with. You follow me? Because it's impossible to be right and wrong at the same time.

[John Weaver] Now, let me just make an application that you try to tie this together. Our exposition of Hebrews 12 will come next Sunday, OK? Are you listening? Removing people or removing problems will not help our bitterness. Why? Because bitterness is a personal sin. And until bitterness and resentment are repented of and dealt with biblically, they're just simply going to continue. So if I say I don't like Dr. Homer.

[John Weaver] Bless God, he caused me to do this and he made me do that. I don't like him. You know what? He could move to Timbuktu and I'd still be a bitter person. Why? Because bitterness is personal. And if I got rid of him or I moved to Timbuktu and left him in South Georgia, I would still be a bitter person. Some of you remember Pogo the Possum, he used to be on the water tower here, I don't know if he still is. But you remember his famous saying, we have met the enemy and he is us.

[John Weaver] And that's a fact, folks. Bitterness and resentment, bad attitudes are personal sins. You remember Esau was so upset with Jacob, he was going to murder him. And what did Isaac and Rebekah do? They sent him to Paddan Aram. And he stayed there for years. I forget how many. Seven, seven, fourteen, and then seven more. So at least 21 years. He was gone for 21 years. Here's my question. Did that change Esau? No. Esau was still wicked, ungodly.

[John Weaver] It didn't help him at all. You know, I've heard men say, and I hope they said it jokingly, but I've heard men say, you know, I could be the best husband in the world if it wasn't for my wife. Or I could be the best wife in the world if it wasn't for my husband. Or I could be the best parent if it wasn't for my children. Well, you know.

[John Weaver] The point is, removing the person or removing the problem doesn't change us. We have to change. We have to repent. We have to confess and acknowledge our sins. And put away our bitterness and resentment and our anger and our ill will. And replace it with biblical obedience, you know. One of the. Men in the Bible that everyone knows. It's the Apostle Peter. You remember how he denied Christ three times. And Christ told him, he said, before the cock crows thrice, you'll deny me three times. And Peter did. And when that old cock crowed the third time, you know what the Bible says in Matthew 26 and Luke 22 about Peter?

[John Weaver] He went out and wept bitterly. He was repenting. Lord, you were right. I was wrong. You know, that's where we have to come to with our attitudes, Lord, You're right. I'm wrong. And I want my attitude to be right. I want to be humble and meek and thankful and obedient. I want my life brought in conformity to your words. And I want my life to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Bitterness and resentment.

[John Weaver] Do not harm our enemies. They harm us. And they harm our ministry. And they dishonor Christ. Let's pray. Father, we are thankful for Jesus Christ and for his love and mercy and grace to us. And Lord, we must confess and acknowledge that each of us have had problems with attitudes and bitterness and resentment and ill will and hatred and hard feelings. And Lord, I pray that you would help us to bring our lives in conformity to your word and help us to realize that when problems come.

[John Weaver] They're not for our detriment, but for our benefit, and they will be. If we will respond biblically, they will strengthen us. And build us up. Of the character. Help us, Lord, to love thee and to live for thee and to bring our lives in conformity to your word. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

The Sin of Bitterness - Part 1

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	3707175759
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Assurance, Providence, and Life in the Spirit: Romans 8:28-39
Genre	Sermon
Date	2007-02-11
Dictation Name
Book	Book 161: The Sin of Bitterness — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	94

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and Text

Weaver introduces the two-part message on the sin of bitterness, reading Hebrews 12:12-17 and noting that today's sermon is introductory, with exposition to follow next week.

All right, we are thankful that you're here today, and I want you to open your Bibles, if you would please, to Hebrews chapter 12. Now, let me just tell you that the message today is basically going to be the introduction to the message that I'm going to be bringing next Sunday. In fact, it is a two-part message, and I will be dealing primarily with the text next Sunday. So, just because I do not give an exposition of it today does not mean that it will not be done next Sunday. So, there's a lot of material to give out before I can get to the text. So, we're looking at Hebrews chapter 12. We're going to begin reading with verse 12 and read through verse 17. And the message will be on the sin of bitterness. The sin of bitterness. Now look, if you would please, Hebrews chapter 12, verse 12.

"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 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; lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."

Sins of the Saints Are Primarily Sins of the Spirit

Weaver explains that while saints can sin physically, their primary sins are spiritual, citing 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and 2 Corinthians 7:1 to show that believers are cleansed from fleshly sins but must also be cleansed from spiritual sins like bitterness.

"For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Herbert Lockyer, many years ago, wrote a book, and he entitled the book, *The Sins of the Saints*. In that book, he deals with many sins of the spirit. What you and I tend to forget so many times is this simple statement and simple truth that the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit. Now, how can I say that? Well, let me ask that you turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 6 and 2 Corinthians 7 and let me explain that statement. Because I want you to understand that the sins of the saints are indeed primarily sins of the spirit.

Now, that does not mean that a saint cannot sin physically. He certainly can. That is not his primary sin. So if you look in 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, beginning there with verse 9, I think you'll understand what I'm going to show you. 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 9. Look what the Apostle Paul writes: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" Now look at this next phrase: "Be not deceived."

So he says, don't be wrong about this. Don't have bad thinking about this. Be not deceived. Notice now, "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God." But note what he says in verse 11: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

Now, what is the Apostle Paul saying? He is saying that if you think that a man who lives constantly in fornication and adultery and is an abuser of himself and sodomy and all this kind of thing, he says if you think he's saved, you're deceived. You're wrong. He says that kind of man shall not inherit the kingdom of God. That's what he says very plainly. Then he says, "And such were some of you." In other words, if you have done that in time past, and you are now saved. You are no longer doing that. You're no longer a fornicator. You're no longer an adulterer. You're no longer an abuser of yourself. You're no longer effeminate. You're no longer wicked and wrong in those areas. Those are primarily sins of the flesh or physical sins. So he says, "Such were some of you." In other words, when God saves us, He saves us out of those sins.

Now, if you look in your Bibles, 2 Corinthians 7 and verse 1, look, if you would, what the Apostle says there. 2 Corinthians 7, verse 1:

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 7:1

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Now, what is the Apostle Paul saying? Does it do us any good to say, "Well, bless God, I'm not an adulterer. I'm not a fornicator. I'm not a thief. I'm not a whoremonger. I'm not a drunkard. I'm not another"? No, no, no. He says those are sins of the flesh and you should be cleansed from those. But primarily, he says, you should also be cleansed from the sins of the spirit.

And when you begin to think about sins of the spirit, there are all kinds of sins: anger, malice, ill will, bitterness, resentment, bad attitudes, wicked attitudes. Now, the point I'm trying to make is this: If you are indeed a child of God, your sins are not necessarily going to be primarily physical sins, but they will be spiritual sins.

Bitterness Describes the Unconverted

Weaver demonstrates that the Bible uses 'bitterness' to describe the lost, referencing Deuteronomy 29:18, Deuteronomy 32:32, Psalm 10:7 (cf. Romans 3:13-14), and Acts 8:20-23 (Simon the sorcerer). Bitterness in a saint is a contradiction.

Now, it is true a saint may sin physically, but usually that is not the case. Where our real problem lies is with spiritual sins. In other words, we are not to act like unbelievers. We are not to walk and talk like unbelievers. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4 and verse 17, "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind."

So what is he saying? We are to be different. We don't walk like they walk. That is, we don't act the way they act. We do not conduct our lives the way they conduct their lives.

Now, while it is true that we are sinners and that each of us are capable of committing any sin, the truth of the matter is this: The worst sins for a child of God are really and truly the sins of the spirit. The sins of the spirit are those which permeate and which literally destroy our walk with Christ and which will lead us to all other sins as well. All sin is wicked, wrong and ungodly and rebellious, but sins of the spirit are really worse. When we talk about sins of the spirit, we're talking about sins of attitude and disposition, which ultimately affect our behavior and our conduct. One of the worst sins of the spirit is the sin of bitterness and or resentment. Listen carefully to this statement: Hardly any Christian escapes this sin. It is a sin that decimates, devours and destroys.

Now, let me tell you about bitterness and you're going to see the word in the Bible. But our English word bitterness comes from the Greek word *pikros*, which is the Greek word for bitter. And it literally means sharp, pungent, bitter, venomous. And it denotes bitterness associated with grief, disappointment, hatred, and anger. Now, as you study in the Bible and look at the word bitterness, you're going to find that bitterness has an extremely close relationship with anger and malice and wrath. And so today I want us just to consider, very briefly, five truths in relationship to bitterness. First of all, bitterness is a word that is used in the Bible to describe the unconverted.

Now, that ought to shock you. Now, there are plenty of words in the Bible that describe the unconverted: lost, condemned, under the wrath of God. But it's interesting that one of the main words is the word bitter or bitterness that is used to describe those that are lost. That is true in the Old Testament. It is also true in the New Testament. Let me show you. Look in your Bibles, holding Hebrews chapter 12 please, but look in your Bibles first of all to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 29. Deuteronomy 29 and verse 18. Deuteronomy 29, verse 18. Look what God warns. Deuteronomy 29, verse 18. He says, "Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood," or bitterness and wormwood. He said, "Lest there be among you a root." You remember in Hebrews 12 it was called a root of bitterness.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 29:18

Here it is called a root that beareth gall and wormwood. Deuteronomy 29 verse 18. Now turn right over to Deuteronomy 32 and look at verse 32. God is talking about the wickedness of Israel. And he makes this statement: "For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter." What's he describing? He's describing a people who are idolatrous and wicked and he's comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah. And he says they are bitter. Now, if you look in Psalm 10 and verse 7, Psalm 10 and verse 7.

Just showing you how this word is used to describe the ungodly in both Testaments. Psalm 10 and verse 7. Now, I want you to compare this verse with Romans 3, OK? So get ready to turn to Romans 3. In Psalm 10, he's describing the ungodly. In verse 7, he says, "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity." Now, we read the word mischief and vanity, but if you will turn in your Bibles to Romans chapter 3, you'll see how the apostle, inspired of God, writes that same truth. Notice, if you would, Romans chapter 3, beginning there in verse 13. Romans 3, verse 13: "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." And if you compare this passage with Psalm 10, you can see undoubtedly the Apostle Paul had Psalm 10 in mind when he wrote that. So, here in the Old Testament, to describe an ungodly man, or in the New Testament, it is talking about someone who is full of bitterness and resentment.

Now, look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 8. Everyone knows a story, or at least you should, of Simon the sorcerer. In Acts chapter 8, Simon was one of these individuals who professed to believe in Christ, but he was not really converted. He was baptized, but he was still not converted. He associated with the disciples, but he was still not converted. And when the disciples or the apostles came from Jerusalem and he saw that through the laying on of hands the power of the Holy Ghost was given, he tried to buy that power. If you look at Acts chapter 8, and let's begin reading there with verse 20. Here's what Peter said to Simon after he tried to buy the power of the Holy Ghost. One fact, verse 19. He said to the apostles, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." Of course, verse 18 says he offered them money. But Peter said unto him, "Thy money perish with thee."

And that's a strong, strong word for perish. It literally means this: your money go to hell with you. Because that's exactly where you're going, Simon. He says, "Thy money perish with thee," or thy money go to hell with thee, "because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." You remember the word gall that was used in the Old Testament? Here it is again, the gall of bitterness.

Now, the point I'm trying to make is this: If bitterness and resentment are used to describe the unconverted, and you have bitterness and resentment in a saint, then it is a terrible anomaly. In reality, it is a contradiction in terms, and it should become more evident as we study the subject of bitterness. Let me state this one more time: Saints are to be different from sinners. The converted are to walk differently from unconverted. Saved do not act like unsaved. So bitterness then is a word that is used in the Bible to describe the unconverted.

Bitterness Is an Attack on God's Providence

Weaver argues that bitterness, though often directed at people, is ultimately against God's providential dealings. Using Esau (Genesis 25, 27), he shows Esau's hatred for Jacob was really resentment of God's sovereign choice.

Secondly, and I will explain this, bitterness is nothing less than an attack upon God and His providential dealings. Now, I want you to look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 12. I'm going to point this out in just a moment. When you and I think of bitterness or resentment, we normally think of bitterness and resentment being directed at people. "I don't like him. He did me wrong. I'll get back at him. I'll nail him one day." In other words, we're thinking that bitterness is directed at people, and we tend to think it is the people or the individuals who are trying to harm us, embarrass us, belittle us, or hurt us in some way, and we tend to think that they are the objects of our resentment. Well, they may be indirectly, but in reality, our resentment and our bitterness is directed at God at His providential dealings. Now look at verses 15 through 17. Hebrews 12, God says, "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;

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Now, in order to really understand verses 15 through 17, you have to consider the historical background, and that background is found in Genesis 25 and Genesis 27. So I want you to turn back there if you would, and let's look at it, and let me show you how Esau's bitterness, although he thought it was directed at Jacob, in reality was directed at God. Notice, if you would, Genesis chapter 25. And let's begin reading there with verse 27, Genesis 25, and in fact, let's go back and let's begin with verse 22.

"And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord." That is Rebekah, verse 23. "And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." Now, I don't have to remind you of the book of Malachi, chapter 1, and also Romans, chapter 9, where God said, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Alright? When he says the elder shall serve the younger, what does that mean? God chose Jacob. Right? Okay, now watch this. "And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob."

"And Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint." "Therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright."

Scripture Reading — Genesis 25:22-34

Now before I comment on that, turn over to Genesis 27. And let me read this passage and let's try to put them together. Genesis 27 and let's begin reading with verse 26. You know how Jacob has now dressed in the garments of Esau. He's taken goat's hair and put it on his arms and he's deceiving his father and he's making his father think that he's Esau. And so in verse 26, "And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed."

"Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee. And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau. And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me? and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed."

Scripture Reading — Genesis 27:26-41

"And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing."

Now, let's skip down, if you would, just to verse 41. Look carefully.

Scripture Reading — Genesis 27:26-41

"And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob."

Now, let's go back to Genesis 25. Let me ask you a question. Think about this. Did not God choose Jacob over Esau? Yes. Did not God reveal that choice to Isaac and Rebekah? Yes, He did.

They knew from the very beginning. Now, in order to demonstrate the wisdom of God in choosing Jacob, you have what is recorded in Genesis 25 when Esau came from the field and he told Jacob, "I'm at the point of death. Give me something to eat." Well, first of all, very obviously, he was not at the point of death. Because if you're at the point of death, you don't walk in to some place and ask for something to eat. You might get dragged there or you might get carried there, but you don't walk in. And so he wanted something to eat and Jacob said, "Well, I tell you what, you sell me your birthright." And Esau said, "Sure. I'm at the point of death. What good does that birthright do me?" Now, here's the point I want you to note. Esau was willing to sell his birthright for temporal gratification and temporal pleasure. And the Bible says, "Thus he despised his birthright." What was the birthright? I hope you remember. There were three things included in that birthright.

First, the birthright included a double portion of the family estate. So if there were four children, the eldest then got twice as much as the other three. You say, why? Because it was the eldest child's responsibility to take care of his elderly parents when they could not take care of themselves. That was God's divine provision for old age. Secondly, the birthright included headship of the family clan. There was a responsibility, not just of taking care of mom and dad when they're old, but there was a responsibility of being the head and leader of the family clan. And thirdly, it included the lineage of the Messiah. In other words, the Messiah, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, would be through that birthright.

And the Bible says that Esau despised this, and he literally sold all of this for a bowl of beans. Truly, Esau hated spiritual things. He had no use for them. Now, you ask, well, if he had the birthright, if Jacob had the birthright, now because it was sold to him, when it came time to receive the blessing, why did Jacob try to deceive his father? Why didn't he just come in and say, "Father, the birthright is mine. I bought it from Esau"? Because he knew that Esau would not keep his end of the bargain and the blessing really and truly went with the birthright.

And so here's what happened. He deceived his father and his father already knew that God had chosen Jacob. But yet he was willing to give that blessing to Esau because Esau was his eldest and he loved to eat of his son's venison. That was it. You have to say that Isaac wasn't right with God at this particular point as well because he was willing to go contrary to what he knew the will of God was. So Jacob had the birthright. The blessing went with the birthright. And he deceived his father and got the blessing to go with the birthright. Now, when Esau comes in and he finds out what Jacob has done, he lifts up his voice and cries. And he says, "Bless me, even me also, O my father." And Isaac said, "I'm sorry.

Your brother's come in, he's taken the blessing, and he shall be blessed indeed." Now, I want you to watch this. When you come down to verse 41, the Bible says in Genesis 27 that Esau hated his brother in his heart. Genesis 27, verse 41. And he said, "After my father dies, after the days of mourning are over for him, I'll get my revenge. I will kill my brother Jacob. I'll nail him to the wall."

Now, let's ask some questions. Why did he so hate Jacob? You say, well, because he got the birthright and the blessing. Why did he want to kill Jacob? You say, well, he was the instrument in taking that birthright and that blessing. Well, let me ask you a question again. Did you not know that God had already chosen Jacob? Did his parents not already know that God had chosen Jacob? Yes. Did Esau not know? Well, of course he knew. What in the world was Esau doing? Esau was murmuring and complaining and was bitter and resentful against God, but he pointed at Jacob and said, "Jacob, you're the instrument, so therefore I hate you." But in reality, what he was murmuring about and complaining about was God's choice and God's providential dealings. He didn't like the way God had worked it out. He didn't like God's choice. He didn't like God's working it out. So although he indirectly pointed his hatred and his resentment toward Jacob, in reality, his hatred and his resentment was toward God. Why?

He didn't like God's dealings. But to show you the irresponsibility of Esau, he was willing to sell it for a bowl of beans. He didn't care anything about it. It's kind of like we have two dogs and we can put a piece of food down for Dixie and she doesn't want it. She'll raise her nose and turn around and walk off. But when Hush Puppy comes up to get the food, she rushes back and takes it just to keep him from getting it. You know, that's literally what resentment is. I mean, you know, I don't want you to have it. I can't have it, but I don't want you to have it. It can't be my way, but I don't want it to go your way. Let me show you how we verbalize our resentment against God in such of these providential acts. We begin to ask such questions: Why did God allow this to happen? Why did this happen to me?

How did I get in such a mess? Why did God even allow this man to be born? I feel so helpless. There's nothing that I can do about it. Why did all this come my way? Why did it have to happen at this time? What are we doing? We're saying, "God, we don't like your sovereignty. We don't like your providential dealings in our lives. We don't like what you allowed to come to pass." You see, when you and I get bitter and resentful, it can occur over a number of things. It could occur over our children. It could occur over the loss of mates. It could occur over money. It could occur over accidents or what I rather call incidents. Because there's no accidents in a world that's ruled by God. But we just don't like those things that happen to us. And when we get disappointed in certain areas, we become bitter and resentful. Why? Because we don't like what God has allowed to happen in our lives.

We've got to understand one simple truth: Whatever God brings to pass in our lives, He does it ultimately for His glory and for our good, whether we like it or not. Whether we understand it or not, it is still for our good. When Henry quoted Romans 8:28 earlier, "And we know that all things work together for good," that is not saying that all things are good. It is just saying all things work together for good, whether we like them or not. Whether they're good to us or not. So, we've got to remember that bitterness and resentment, although we sometimes focus on people, in reality it's directed at God and His providential dealings.

Bitterness Causes Individual and Corporate Problems

Weaver explains from Hebrews 12:15 that bitterness starts with one person but defiles many. Bitterness results from unbiblical responses to people and problems; God intends problems to build character (Romans 5:3, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:2-4).

Thirdly, I want you to see that bitterness is the source of individual and corporate problems. Look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. Bitterness is the source of individual and corporate problems. Hebrews 12 verse 15, look carefully, look what God says: "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." Now I want you to note how that verse is written. Look at the latter part of verse 15: "lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you"—who? You, individual, singular—"and thereby many"—plural—"be defiled." So bitterness and resentment, although it may start with one individual, spreads like an infection. Let's ask a question and try to answer it. How do we become bitter? How do we become resentful? How does bitterness and resentfulness develop in us? Here is the answer: Bitterness and resentfulness are the result of unbiblical and ungodly responses to people and problems. Let me say that again. Bitterness and resentment are the result of unbiblical and ungodly responses to people and problems. When we respond unbiblically, we always, always develop bitterness and resentment. It's just that simple.

Let me point it out again, and please listen carefully. Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter. We make ourselves resentful. Bitterness and resentfulness are personal sins. The only way anyone can make us bitter is if we allow them to make us bitter, but we're actually doing it ourselves. We become bitter when we respond unbiblically to people and problems. Let me show you, very quickly, what God has ordained.

I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all. Let's go to Romans 5. Romans 5. Then we'll—I'll tell you what. Then we'll go to 1 Corinthians and to James, alright? So let's go to Romans chapter 5 first. And look, if you would please. In fact, I can read the first three verses. Verse 3 is what I want, but let's read verses 1 and 2 so you can see the context. Romans 5, verse 1.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Now let me just stop there. You know what the word rejoice here means? It literally means to exult, to jump up and down in.

Now look what he says. We're justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, we have access by faith in this grace wherein we stand, and therefore we exalt, we jump up and down, we rejoice in the glory of God. Now look at verse 3: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience." Guess what? The word glory in verse 3 is the same as the word rejoice in verse 2. He says, "And not only so, but we exalt, we jump up and down in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope."

Now, what does he say we do with our problems? We rejoice in them. We jump up and down. When's the last time you've actually said, "Thank God, I don't have enough money to pay my bills. Isn't this wonderful?" When's the last time you've said, "Thank God, I'm as sick as a dog. Isn't this wonderful?" We don't normally jump up and down in our problems. We don't normally exult in them.

And God said the reason we should is that these tribulations, these tests, work patience in us, and patience works experience, and experience works hope, and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. What is He saying? Ultimately, it's going to be for our good, although it may not be good to us at that particular time. Now, look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 10. Here's another reason why we should exalt or jump up and down in our tribulations. 1 Corinthians 10, verse 13. Look what he says, 1 Corinthians 10, verse 13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful."

Now look: "who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." Let's stop right there. "But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." God will never put more on you than you can take. If God puts something on you, you can take it. I don't care if it's the loss of a loved one. I don't care if it's the death of a child. I don't care if it's financial problems. I don't care if it's personal sickness. If God brought it to pass in your life, you can take it. And look what else he says in verse 13.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man." So what happens to me happens to Doc. What happens to Doc happens to Henry. What happens to Henry happens to us. We all have the same things. It's all common. There's no supernatural problems. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."

Now watch: "but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." God always has a way out for us. You know what His way out is? Obedience to the word of God. That's the way out. And as long as we're disobedient, we stay in our problems. So why should we exalt? Here's why: Because God always makes a way out for us.

He never puts more on us than we can take. And you're going to see that our problems are designed to build biblical character. And they will if we respond biblically. Now, look in the book of James. Right after the book of Hebrews, James 1 and verse 3. And we can read verse 4 as well. James 1 verse 3. Look what he says: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Well, let's go back to verse 2. Verse 2 is what I wanted: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."

Now the word divers means variegated, many colored, different kinds. So he says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations," or different kinds of tests and problems. Why should we count it joy? "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." He says, ultimately, if we respond biblically, all of these problems are going to build biblical character in us. So let me put it like this: God intends for our problems to be a strengthening process for us. He intends them to build biblical character. Where we sin is this: we refuse to act biblically and scripturally and then we resent what has happened to us, and we become bitter because it has happened.

In other words, we don't use the problem as a stepping stone. We stumble over it and break sometimes more than our fingernails. Now, we tend to think that it is someone or something that is responsible for what has happened to us or what has happened to our family, or someone or something is responsible for bringing unfavorable circumstances in our life, and therefore we develop bitterness and resentment toward them. In other words, we view them as the cause of our problem. We fail to remember that God is in control and that nothing happens apart from God's divine intervention and providence. And whatever happens, He does it for our good and for His glory.

Now, let me repeat this again. Bitterness and resentment are personal sins. Proverbs 4 and verse 23 commands us, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." God has commanded us to keep our heart. So when we become bitter, when we become resentful, we're not keeping our heart. You know what the Bible says in Proverbs 25 and verse 28? Listen to this.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 25:28

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

What's that mean? Walls were built around a city to protect it. You break down the walls, anybody can walk in, get what they want, and walk out. So God says he who has no control over his own spirit, it's like a city broken down without walls. People can manipulate you left and right.

They can make you angry. They can make you bitter. How? Because you can't control yourself. My father used to box some, and I took some boxing lessons from him, and he told me this, and I never have forgotten it. He said, "Son, if you ever really want to hurt somebody in a fight, the first thing you do is make them mad." You know why? Because when a man gets mad, he loses control and he'll draw back for a haymaker. And when he draws back for that haymaker, if you keep your cool, you can step in and pop him four or five times before he can ever swing. Why? Because he's lost it. If you can control someone, you can manipulate them any way you want them. But if they keep their spirit under control, there's not one thing you can do. You know what the Bible says? Let me quote it. Proverbs 16, verse 32. Listen to this.

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." So God says if you can control your own self, if you can control your own spirit, your mind, your heart, your disposition, your attitude, you're better than the greatest warrior that ever lived. But see, let me point this out too. What he said, "lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." What is he saying? He's saying bitterness and resentment are infectious. It's venomous. It's like a snake bite. The snake might bite you on the arm, but pretty soon that venom is spread throughout the entire body.

And that's what happens in a lot of church bodies. Bitterness and resentment spreads throughout, and God says that bitterness and resentment are contagious. They're infectious. Bitterness and resentment have caused and compounded multitudes of problems, but they have never, ever solved a problem. So bitterness is a source of individual and corporate problems.

Bitterness Is Incompatible with Christian Faith and Worship

Weaver teaches from James 3:14-16 that bitterness is earthly, sensual, devilish, and causes confusion. Rejoicing in bitterness is lying against the truth (Scripture, Christ, the Spirit), making genuine worship impossible.

Fourthly, number four today, bitterness is utterly incompatible with the Christian faith and makes worship impossible. We're in the book of James. I want you to turn there to James chapter 3. Look at verses 14 through 16. James chapter 3. Let's begin reading there in verse 14. Look what he says: "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth."

"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Now, James 3 verses 14 through 16 reveals the true nature of bitterness. Now, many times we try to hide our bitterness under a false zeal, under a hypocritical righteousness, or by masking our anger and bitterness and pretending that we have greater insight and greater wisdom.

Now, I want you to look what Scripture says. Verse 14: "If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth." Now, I want you to note the command is to glory not. What does that mean? It means that we're not to exult in it. We're not to rejoice in it. We're not to jump up and down in it. But you know, we often do exactly that. We glory in it.

You say, how do you do so? Well, I've heard people say, "I have a right to be bitter." Oh, you do? How about this one? "Well, if you had to live with that man, you'd be bitter too." Or "If you had to live with that woman, you'd be bitter too." I mean, come on. How about this one? "I tried to tell them, but they wouldn't listen to me. They'll find out next time, won't they?" What are we saying? "I don't like it because they wouldn't follow what I wanted to say, and they got just exactly what they deserved." You're rejoicing in your bitterness. You're rejoicing in your resentment.

Now, look what he says: "glory not, and lie not against the truth." This is something that if it ever hits home to us, it'll put a little difference on our attitude. You talk about an attitude adjustment. He says, "glory not, and lie not against the truth." In other words, when we are glorying or rejoicing in bitterness and resentment and bitter envy, we are lying against the truth. What is truth? Well, the Bible tells us in John 17:17, number one, that the scriptures are truth. Our Lord said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 14:6 tells us that Jesus Christ is truth, the Son is truth. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." And John 14:17 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. So when we are glorying in our resentment and our bitterness, we're lying against the Scriptures, we're lying against the Son, we're lying against the Spirit of God.

How can we do that? Well, we lie against the Scriptures, for Scriptures teach that bitterness and resentment are to be put off and put away. We're lying against the Son because the Son commands us to meekness, humility, and forgiveness. And we're lying against the Spirit because the Holy Spirit does not lead us, guide us, or direct us into an unbiblical and ungodly attitude. So that means when we rejoice in a bad, wicked attitude, we're lying against the scriptures, against the Son of God and the Spirit of God. I want you to see in this that bitterness is not only incompatible with the Christian faith, it makes real, genuine worship unacceptable, not performable. If you've got that attitude, your worship is unacceptable. Why? Because you're overcome with bitterness and resentment and you cannot render to God that which he deserves, nor that which he demands. And he demands that you come with a humble and meek spirit and meek attitude, not a haughty, resentful, bitter attitude.

Bitterness Makes It Impossible to Be Right with God

Weaver asserts that bitterness prevents a right relationship with God. Ephesians 4:31 commands putting away bitterness; James 3:11-12 illustrates that one cannot produce both sweet and bitter water. Holding onto bitterness leads to neglect of spiritual duties.

Now, fifthly, and I want you to look in James chapter 3 again. Here's the fifth point: bitterness makes it impossible for one to be right with God. Let's just cut to the chase, here it is: bitterness and resentment make it impossible for an individual to be right with God. Now, we're in James chapter 3, and I want you to hold that, but I want you to turn back to Ephesians chapter 4. Ephesians chapter 4, hold James 3, because we're coming back there. But look in Ephesians chapter 4. Ephesians 4 verse 31. Look what God says. Ephesians 4 verse 31: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." Now, what is God commanding? That all bitterness, wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking is to be put away from us with all malice. In other words, we're not to do that. That is to be put off. Verse 32: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

That is to be put on. So God tells us to put off all this bitterness. Now, look in your Bibles to James 3, if you would, and let's begin reading there, verse 11. Watch what is said. James 3, verse 11. Here are the questions: "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."

Now, it is impossible to be obedient and disobedient at the same time. It's impossible to be in submission to God and in rebellion at the same time. How can we be right when we're wrong? Can a fountain send forth sweet water and bitter at the same time? No. One at a time. Can a fig tree bear olives? No. Can an olive bear figs? No. What is he saying? You can only have one attitude at a time. You can only be one thing at a time. If we're bitter and resentful and hateful and full of ill will, we can't be right with God. Because when we're right with God, we put those things off.

We cast them from us. We don't want them around us. We don't want them near us. Now, let me tell you what will happen. If we want to hold on to our bitterness and our resentment, one of several things will happen. Either number one, we will cease performing our duties as a child of God as we ought. Let me explain what I mean by that. Are you commanded to read your Bible? Sure. Supposed to read it every day? Sure. You know, I don't necessarily endorse Dwight L. Moody's theology, but he did write something in the flyleaf of his Bible that I do agree with. He wrote in the flyleaf of his Bible, now listen: either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book. That's true, folks.

You let somebody get their heart in a knot, you let them get their attitude wrong, they're not going to be reading this book. Why? Because this book is going to condemn their attitude and their actions. Either this book will keep them from sin, or sin is going to keep them from this book. Do you remember what David asked in Psalm 119, verse 9? "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" "By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." So, we will either, if we hold on to our bad attitudes, we'll either cease from our duties, or our duties will dry up altogether. I have seen this a hundred times. People who get their attitude wrong, their heart wrong, used to sit on the front row.

Next thing you know, they're out in the middle. Then they're in the back, kind of like the Baptists are today, you know. And they get on the back row. And the next thing you know, they start skipping one service, then two services, then three services, then they're gone. You do it gradually. This is what I'm saying. You either drop or if you stay, you do what you do grudgingly.

"I got to do it. I might as well do it anyhow. I mean, get it over with." You follow me? Because it's impossible to be right and wrong at the same time.

Application and Conclusion

Weaver applies that removing people or problems does not cure bitterness because it is a personal sin requiring repentance. He cites Peter's bitter weeping as an example of repentance and closes in prayer.

Now, let me just make an application that you try to tie this together. Our exposition of Hebrews 12 will come next Sunday, OK? Are you listening? Removing people or removing problems will not help our bitterness. Why? Because bitterness is a personal sin. And until bitterness and resentment are repented of and dealt with biblically, they're just simply going to continue. So if I say, "I don't like Dr. Homer.

Bless God, he caused me to do this and he made me do that. I don't like him." You know what? He could move to Timbuktu and I'd still be a bitter person. Why? Because bitterness is personal. And if I got rid of him or I moved to Timbuktu and left him in South Georgia, I would still be a bitter person. Some of you remember Pogo the Possum, he used to be on the water tower here, I don't know if he still is. But you remember his famous saying: "We have met the enemy and he is us."

And that's a fact, folks. Bitterness and resentment, bad attitudes are personal sins. You remember Esau was so upset with Jacob, he was going to murder him. And what did Isaac and Rebekah do? They sent him to Padan Aram. And he stayed there for years. I forget how many. Seven, seven, fourteen, and then seven more. So at least 21 years. He was gone for 21 years. Here's my question: Did that change Esau? No. Esau was still wicked, ungodly.

It didn't help him at all. You know, I've heard men say, and I hope they said it jokingly, but I've heard men say, "You know, I could be the best husband in the world if it wasn't for my wife." Or "I could be the best wife in the world if it wasn't for my husband." Or "I could be the best parent if it wasn't for my children." Well, you know. The point is, removing the person or removing the problem doesn't change us. We have to change. We have to repent. We have to confess and acknowledge our sins. And put away our bitterness and resentment and our anger and our ill will. And replace it with biblical obedience, you know. One of the men in the Bible that everyone knows is the Apostle Peter. You remember how he denied Christ three times. And Christ told him, he said, "Before the cock crows twice, thou shalt deny me thrice." And Peter did. And when that old cock crowed the third time, you know what the Bible says in Matthew 26 and Luke 22 about Peter?

He went out and wept bitterly. He was repenting. "Lord, you were right. I was wrong." You know, that's where we have to come to with our attitudes: "Lord, You're right. I'm wrong. And I want my attitude to be right. I want to be humble and meek and thankful and obedient. I want my life brought in conformity to your words. And I want my life to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ." Bitterness and resentment

do not harm our enemies. They harm us. And they harm our ministry. And they dishonor Christ. Let's pray. Father, we are thankful for Jesus Christ and for his love and mercy and grace to us. And Lord, we must confess and acknowledge that each of us have had problems with attitudes and bitterness and resentment and ill will and hatred and hard feelings. And Lord, I pray that you would help us to bring our lives in conformity to your word and help us to realize that when problems come,

they're not for our detriment, but for our benefit, and they will be. If we will respond biblically, they will strengthen us and build us up in character. Help us, Lord, to love thee and to live for thee and to bring our lives in conformity to your word. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

Primacy of Spiritual Sins in Believers

Summary: The sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit, such as bitterness, rather than physical sins, though believers are capable of both.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit' and cites 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and 2 Corinthians 7:1 to show that believers are cleansed from fleshly sins but must also be cleansed from spiritual sins.

Bitterness as a Mark of the Unconverted

Summary: The Bible uses 'bitterness' to describe the lost, making its presence in a believer a contradiction.

Evidence: Weaver references Deuteronomy 29:18, 32:32, Psalm 10:7 (cf. Romans 3:13-14), and Acts 8:23 (Simon the sorcerer) to show bitterness characterizes the ungodly.

Bitterness Directed Against God's Providence

Summary: Bitterness is ultimately an attack on God's sovereign dealings, not merely on people.

Evidence: Weaver uses Esau's hatred of Jacob (Genesis 25, 27) to illustrate that Esau's bitterness was really against God's choice, saying, 'he didn't like God's dealings.'

Personal Responsibility for Bitterness

Summary: Bitterness is a personal sin; people and problems do not cause it—we cause it by unbiblical responses.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter.' He cites Proverbs 4:23 and 25:28 on ruling one's spirit.

Incompatibility of Bitterness with Christian Faith

Summary: Bitterness is earthly, sensual, devilish, and makes genuine worship impossible; rejoicing in it is lying against the truth.

Evidence: Weaver expounds James 3:14-16, saying bitterness 'makes real, genuine worship unacceptable,' and that glorying in it is lying against Scripture, Christ, and the Spirit.

Bitterness as a Barrier to Right Relationship with God

Summary: Bitterness makes it impossible to be right with God; one cannot produce both sweet and bitter fruit.

Evidence: Weaver cites Ephesians 4:31-32 and James 3:11-12, concluding, 'If we're bitter and resentful... we can't be right with God.'

Key Arguments

Saints' primary sins are spiritual, not physical

Summary: Believers are cleansed from fleshly sins at conversion and are called to cleanse themselves from spiritual sins like bitterness.

Evidence: Weaver contrasts 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (such were some of you) with 2 Corinthians 7:1 (cleanse from filthiness of flesh and spirit) to argue that spiritual sins are the real problem for saints.

Bitterness is a characteristic of the lost

Summary: Scripture uses 'bitterness' to describe the unconverted, so its presence in a believer is an anomaly.

Evidence: Weaver cites Deuteronomy 29:18, 32:32, Psalm 10:7 (cf. Romans 3:13-14), and Acts 8:23 to show bitterness describes the ungodly.

Bitterness is rebellion against God's sovereignty

Summary: Esau's hatred of Jacob was really resentment of God's choice, showing bitterness is directed at God's providential dealings.

Evidence: Weaver analyzes Genesis 25 and 27, concluding, 'Esau was murmuring and complaining and was bitter and resentful against God, but he pointed at Jacob.'

Bitterness is a personal sin, not caused by others

Summary: We become bitter by our own unbiblical responses; removing people or problems does not cure bitterness.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter,' and illustrates with Esau's unchanged heart after Jacob left.

Bitterness defiles many and spreads like an infection

Summary: Hebrews 12:15 warns that a root of bitterness troubles the individual and defiles many, showing its corporate impact.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'bitterness and resentment, although it may start with one individual, spreads like an infection.'

Bitterness makes worship and right relationship with God impossible

Summary: James 3:11-12 shows one cannot produce both sweet and bitter; bitterness must be put away (Ephesians 4:31) to be right with God.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'If we're bitter and resentful... we can't be right with God,' and notes that holding onto bitterness leads to neglect of spiritual duties.

Scripture References

Hebrews 12:12-17

Context: Primary text for the sermon series; read at the beginning and referenced throughout, especially verse 15 on the root of bitterness.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Context: Used to show that the unrighteous (characterized by physical sins) will not inherit the kingdom, but believers are washed and sanctified from such sins.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Context: Cited to emphasize cleansing from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, highlighting the need to address spiritual sins.

Ephesians 4:17

Context: Quoted to show believers are not to walk as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.

Deuteronomy 29:18

Context: Warns against a root bearing gall and wormwood (bitterness) among the people, describing the unconverted.

Deuteronomy 32:32

Context: Describes the wicked as having bitter clusters, comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah.

Psalm 10:7

Context: Describes the ungodly; compared with Romans 3:13-14 to show bitterness characterizes the lost.

Romans 3:13-14

Context: Paul's quotation/allusion to Psalm 10:7, showing the ungodly are full of cursing and bitterness.

Acts 8:20-23

Context: Peter tells Simon the sorcerer he is in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity, showing bitterness marks the unconverted.

Genesis 25:22-34

Context: Account of Esau selling his birthright; used to show Esau despised spiritual things and later became bitter.

Genesis 27:26-41

Context: Jacob deceives Isaac for the blessing; Esau's bitter cry and hatred for Jacob, illustrating bitterness against God's providence.

Malachi 1:2-3

Context: Referenced as God's statement, 'Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated,' affirming divine election.

Romans 9:13

Context: Referenced alongside Malachi 1:2-3 regarding God's choice of Jacob over Esau.

Romans 5:1-5

Context: Teaches that believers should glory in tribulations because they produce patience, experience, and hope.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Context: God is faithful to not allow temptation beyond what we can bear and provides a way of escape.

James 1:2-4

Context: Believers are to count it all joy when facing trials, knowing they produce patience and maturity.

Proverbs 4:23

Context: Commands keeping the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.

Proverbs 25:28

Context: He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls.

Proverbs 16:32

Context: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.

James 3:14-16

Context: Bitter envying and strife is earthly, sensual, devilish, and leads to confusion and every evil work.

Historical References

Herbert Lockyer, The Sins of the Saints

Context: Weaver mentions Lockyer's book dealing with sins of the spirit, introducing the concept that saints' sins are primarily spiritual.

Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25, 27)

Context: Extensive historical example used to illustrate bitterness as an attack on God's providence; Esau sold his birthright and later hated Jacob for receiving the blessing.

Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8)

Context: Example of an unconverted person described as being in the gall of bitterness, showing bitterness marks the lost.

Dwight L. Moody

Context: Weaver quotes Moody's inscription in his Bible: 'either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book,' though he does not endorse all Moody's theology.

Pogo the Possum (comic strip character)

Context: Weaver quotes Pogo's famous saying, 'We have met the enemy and he is us,' to illustrate that bitterness is a personal sin.

Apostle Peter's denial and bitter weeping

Context: Peter's repentance after denying Christ is cited as an example of godly sorrow over sin, contrasting with Esau's unrepentant bitterness.

Important Quotes

the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit.

Significance: Central thesis of the sermon, establishing that believers' main struggle is with internal, spiritual sins like bitterness rather than outward physical sins.

Bitterness and resentment are the result of unbiblical and ungodly responses to people and problems.

Significance: Defines the root cause of bitterness as a personal, sinful response rather than external circumstances.

Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter.

Significance: Emphasizes personal responsibility for bitterness, countering the tendency to blame others.

Esau was murmuring and complaining and was bitter and resentful against God, but he pointed at Jacob and said, 'Jacob, you're the instrument, so therefore I hate you.'

Significance: Key illustration that bitterness is ultimately directed at God's providence, not merely at human agents.

lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

Significance: Quotation of Hebrews 12:15 used to show the corporate defiling effect of bitterness.

either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.

Significance: Attributed to D.L. Moody, illustrating how bitterness leads to neglect of Scripture.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

Significance: Pogo quote used to drive home that the problem of bitterness is internal, not external.

He went out and wept bitterly.

Significance: Reference to Peter's repentance, contrasting godly sorrow with sinful bitterness.

Discussion Questions

Why does Weaver argue that the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit? How does this challenge common perceptions of sin in believers?

Context: Weaver introduces this concept early, using 1 Corinthians 6 and 2 Corinthians 7 to distinguish between physical and spiritual sins.

How does the Bible's use of 'bitterness' to describe the unconverted (e.g., Deuteronomy 29:18, Acts 8:23) affect our understanding of bitterness in a believer's life?

Context: Weaver shows that bitterness is a mark of the lost, making it a contradiction in a saint.

In what ways was Esau's bitterness ultimately directed at God rather than Jacob? How does this apply to our own resentments?

Context: Weaver uses the Esau narrative to illustrate that bitterness is an attack on God's providential dealings.

Weaver states, 'Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter.' Do you agree? How does this truth change the way we handle offenses?

Context: This statement is part of the argument that bitterness is a personal sin requiring personal repentance.

According to James 3:14-16, why is bitterness incompatible with genuine Christian worship? What does it mean to 'lie against the truth' when we glory in bitterness?

Context: Weaver explains that bitterness is earthly, sensual, devilish, and that rejoicing in it is lying against Scripture, Christ, and the Spirit.

How does bitterness make it impossible to be right with God, according to James 3:11-12 and Ephesians 4:31-32? What practical steps can we take to put away bitterness?

Context: Weaver argues that one cannot produce both sweet and bitter fruit; bitterness must be put off and replaced with kindness and forgiveness.

Weaver says that removing people or problems does not cure bitterness. Why is this true, and what is the biblical solution?

Context: In the application, Weaver emphasizes that bitterness is a heart issue that requires repentance, not circumstantial change.

How does Peter's bitter weeping (Matthew 26:75) serve as a positive example in contrast to Esau's bitterness? What does true repentance from bitterness look like?

Context: Weaver closes with Peter's repentance as a model of godly sorrow leading to change.

Applications

Examine your heart for spiritual sins

Summary: Believers should recognize that their primary sins are often spiritual, like bitterness, and not assume that avoiding physical sins is sufficient.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit' and calls for cleansing from 'all filthiness of the flesh and spirit' (2 Corinthians 7:1).

Repent of bitterness as a personal sin

Summary: Rather than blaming people or circumstances, believers must take responsibility for their own bitter responses and repent.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'We make ourselves bitter' and 'Bitterness and resentment are personal sins.'

Trust God's providence in difficult circumstances

Summary: Instead of resenting what God allows, believers should trust that He works all things for good and respond biblically to trials.

Evidence: Weaver explains that bitterness is an attack on God's providence and that God intends problems to build character (Romans 5:3, James 1:2-4).

Put away bitterness through biblical obedience

Summary: Believers are commanded to put off bitterness, wrath, and anger, and put on kindness and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Evidence: Weaver cites Ephesians 4:31-32 and emphasizes that bitterness must be 'put away from you.'

Guard against the spread of bitterness in the church

Summary: Because bitterness defiles many, believers must be vigilant to root it out personally and corporately.

Evidence: Weaver warns from Hebrews 12:15 that a root of bitterness 'trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.'

Maintain spiritual disciplines to combat bitterness

Summary: Regular engagement with Scripture helps prevent sin; bitterness leads to neglect of Bible reading and church attendance.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Moody: 'either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book,' and notes that bitter people often drop out of services.

Respond to trials with joy, knowing they produce maturity

Summary: Believers should count trials as joy because they work patience and build biblical character.

Evidence: Weaver references James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3, urging believers to 'exalt, jump up and down in tribulations.'

Seek genuine repentance, not just removal of problems

Summary: True change comes from heart repentance, not from changing circumstances or people; like Peter, we must weep bitterly over our sin.

Evidence: Weaver concludes with Peter's example and states, 'Removing people or removing problems will not help our bitterness.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T23:19:43Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T14:23:39Z

Clean Transcript

The Sin of Bitterness - Part 1

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

All right, we are thankful that you're here today, and I want you to open your Bibles, if you would please, to Hebrews chapter 12. Now, let me just tell you that the message today is basically going to be the introduction to the message that I'm going to be bringing next Sunday. In fact, it is a two-part message, and I will be dealing primarily with the text next Sunday. So, just because I do not give an exposition of it today does not mean that it will not be done next Sunday. So, there's a lot of material to give out before I can get to the text. So, we're looking at Hebrews chapter 12. We're going to begin reading with verse 12 and read through verse 17. And the message will be on the sin of bitterness. The sin of bitterness. Now look, if you would please, Hebrews chapter 12, verse 12.
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"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. 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; lest there be any fornicator or profane person as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright."
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"For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." Herbert Lockyer, many years ago, wrote a book, and he entitled the book, *The Sins of the Saints*. In that book, he deals with many sins of the spirit. What you and I tend to forget so many times is this simple statement and simple truth that the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit.
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Now, how can I say that? Well, let me ask that you turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 6 and 2 Corinthians 7 and let me explain that statement. Because I want you to understand that the sins of the saints are indeed primarily sins of the spirit.
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Now, that does not mean that a saint cannot sin physically. He certainly can. That is not his primary sin. So if you look in 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, beginning there with verse 9, I think you'll understand what I'm going to show you. 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 9. Look what the Apostle Paul writes: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" Now look at this next phrase: "Be not deceived."
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So he says, don't be wrong about this. Don't have bad thinking about this. Be not deceived. Notice now, "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God." But note what he says in verse 11: "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
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Now, what is the Apostle Paul saying? He is saying that if you think that a man who lives constantly in fornication and adultery and is an abuser of himself and sodomy and all this kind of thing, he says if you think he's saved, you're deceived. You're wrong. He says that kind of man shall not inherit the kingdom of God. That's what he says very plainly. Then he says, "And such were some of you." In other words, if you have done that in time past, and you are now saved.
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You are no longer doing that. You're no longer a fornicator. You're no longer an adulterer. You're no longer an abuser of yourself. You're no longer effeminate. You're no longer wicked and wrong in those areas. Those are primarily sins of the flesh or physical sins. So he says, "Such were some of you." In other words, when God saves us, He saves us out of those sins.
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Now, if you look in your Bibles, 2 Corinthians 7 and verse 1, look, if you would, what the Apostle says there. 2 Corinthians 7, verse 1: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." Now, what is the Apostle Paul saying? Does it do us any good to say, "Well, bless God, I'm not an adulterer. I'm not a fornicator. I'm not a thief. I'm not a whoremonger. I'm not a drunkard. I'm not another"? No, no, no. He says those are sins of the flesh and you should be cleansed from those. But primarily, he says, you should also be cleansed from the sins of the spirit.
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And when you begin to think about sins of the spirit, there are all kinds of sins: anger, malice, ill will, bitterness, resentment, bad attitudes, wicked attitudes. Now, the point I'm trying to make is this: If you are indeed a child of God, your sins are not necessarily going to be primarily physical sins, but they will be spiritual sins.
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Now, it is true a saint may sin physically, but usually that is not the case. Where our real problem lies is with spiritual sins. In other words, we are not to act like unbelievers. We are not to walk and talk like unbelievers. The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4 and verse 17, "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind."
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So what is he saying? We are to be different. We don't walk like they walk. That is, we don't act the way they act. We do not conduct our lives the way they conduct their lives.
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Now, while it is true that we are sinners and that each of us are capable of committing any sin, the truth of the matter is this: The worst sins for a child of God are really and truly the sins of the spirit. The sins of the spirit are those which permeate and which literally destroy our walk with Christ and which will lead us to all other sins as well. All sin is wicked, wrong and ungodly and rebellious, but sins of the spirit are really worse. When we talk about sins of the spirit, we're talking about sins of attitude and disposition, which ultimately affect our behavior and our conduct. One of the worst sins of the spirit is the sin of bitterness and or resentment.
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Listen carefully to this statement: Hardly any Christian escapes this sin. It is a sin that decimates, devours and destroys.
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Now, let me tell you about bitterness and you're going to see the word in the Bible. But our English word bitterness comes from the Greek word *pikros*, which is the Greek word for bitter. And it literally means sharp, pungent, bitter, venomous. And it denotes bitterness associated with grief, disappointment, hatred, and anger. Now, as you study in the Bible and look at the word bitterness, you're going to find that bitterness has an extremely close relationship with anger and malice and wrath. And so today I want us just to consider, very briefly, five truths in relationship to bitterness. First of all, bitterness is a word that is used in the Bible to describe the unconverted.
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Now, that ought to shock you. Now, there are plenty of words in the Bible that describe the unconverted: lost, condemned, under the wrath of God. But it's interesting that one of the main words is the word bitter or bitterness that is used to describe those that are lost. That is true in the Old Testament. It is also true in the New Testament. Let me show you. Look in your Bibles, holding Hebrews chapter 12 please, but look in your Bibles first of all to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 29. Deuteronomy 29 and verse 18. Deuteronomy 29, verse 18. Look what God warns. Deuteronomy 29, verse 18. He says, "Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood," or bitterness and wormwood. He said, "Lest there be among you a root." You remember in Hebrews 12 it was called a root of bitterness.
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Here it is called a root that beareth gall and wormwood. Deuteronomy 29 verse 18. Now turn right over to Deuteronomy 32 and look at verse 32. God is talking about the wickedness of Israel. And he makes this statement: "For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter." What's he describing? He's describing a people who are idolatrous and wicked and he's comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah. And he says they are bitter. Now, if you look in Psalm 10 and verse 7, Psalm 10 and verse 7.
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Just showing you how this word is used to describe the ungodly in both Testaments. Psalm 10 and verse 7. Now, I want you to compare this verse with Romans 3, OK? So get ready to turn to Romans 3. In Psalm 10, he's describing the ungodly. In verse 7, he says, "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity." Now, we read the word mischief and vanity, but if you will turn in your Bibles to Romans chapter 3, you'll see how the apostle, inspired of God, writes that same truth. Notice, if you would, Romans chapter 3, beginning there in verse 13. Romans 3, verse 13: "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." And if you compare this passage with Psalm 10, you can see undoubtedly the Apostle Paul had Psalm 10 in mind when he wrote that. So, here in the Old Testament, to describe an ungodly man, or in the New Testament, it is talking about someone who is full of bitterness and resentment.
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Now, look in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 8. Everyone knows a story, or at least you should, of Simon the sorcerer. In Acts chapter 8, Simon was one of these individuals who professed to believe in Christ, but he was not really converted. He was baptized, but he was still not converted. He associated with the disciples, but he was still not converted. And when the disciples or the apostles came from Jerusalem and he saw that through the laying on of hands the power of the Holy Ghost was given, he tried to buy that power. If you look at Acts chapter 8, and let's begin reading there with verse 20. Here's what Peter said to Simon after he tried to buy the power of the Holy Ghost. One fact, verse 19. He said to the apostles, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." Of course, verse 18 says he offered them money. But Peter said unto him, "Thy money perish with thee."
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And that's a strong, strong word for perish. It literally means this: your money go to hell with you. Because that's exactly where you're going, Simon. He says, "Thy money perish with thee," or thy money go to hell with thee, "because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." You remember the word gall that was used in the Old Testament? Here it is again, the gall of bitterness.
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Now, the point I'm trying to make is this: If bitterness and resentment are used to describe the unconverted, and you have bitterness and resentment in a saint, then it is a terrible anomaly. In reality, it is a contradiction in terms, and it should become more evident as we study the subject of bitterness. Let me state this one more time: Saints are to be different from sinners. The converted are to walk differently from unconverted.
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Saved do not act like unsaved. So bitterness then is a word that is used in the Bible to describe the unconverted.
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Secondly, and I will explain this, bitterness is nothing less than an attack upon God and His providential dealings. Now, I want you to look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 12. I'm going to point this out in just a moment. When you and I think of bitterness or resentment, we normally think of bitterness and resentment being directed at people. "I don't like him. He did me wrong. I'll get back at him. I'll nail him one day." In other words, we're thinking that bitterness is directed at people, and we tend to think it is the people or the individuals who are trying to harm us, embarrass us, belittle us, or hurt us in some way, and we tend to think that they are the objects of our resentment. Well, they may be indirectly, but in reality, our resentment and our bitterness is directed at God at His providential dealings. Now look at verses 15 through 17. Hebrews 12, God says, "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;
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Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."
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Now, in order to really understand verses 15 through 17, you have to consider the historical background, and that background is found in Genesis 25 and Genesis 27. So I want you to turn back there if you would, and let's look at it, and let me show you how Esau's bitterness, although he thought it was directed at Jacob, in reality was directed at God. Notice, if you would, Genesis chapter 25. And let's begin reading there with verse 27, Genesis 25, and in fact, let's go back and let's begin with verse 22.
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"And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord." That is Rebekah, verse 23. "And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger."
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Now, I don't have to remind you of the book of Malachi, chapter 1, and also Romans, chapter 9, where God said, "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." Alright? When he says the elder shall serve the younger, what does that mean? God chose Jacob. Right? Okay, now watch this. "And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob."
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"And Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint."
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"Therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright."
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Now before I comment on that, turn over to Genesis 27. And let me read this passage and let's try to put them together. Genesis 27 and let's begin reading with verse 26. You know how Jacob has now dressed in the garments of Esau. He's taken goat's hair and put it on his arms and he's deceiving his father and he's making his father think that he's Esau. And so in verse 26, "And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed."
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"Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee. And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau. And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me? and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed."
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"And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing."
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Now, let's skip down, if you would, just to verse 41. Look carefully. "And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob." Now, let's go back to Genesis 25. Let me ask you a question. Think about this. Did not God choose Jacob over Esau? Yes. Did not God reveal that choice to Isaac and Rebekah? Yes, He did.
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They knew from the very beginning. Now, in order to demonstrate the wisdom of God in choosing Jacob, you have what is recorded in Genesis 25 when Esau came from the field and he told Jacob, "I'm at the point of death. Give me something to eat." Well, first of all, very obviously, he was not at the point of death. Because if you're at the point of death, you don't walk in to some place and ask for something to eat. You might get dragged there or you might get carried there, but you don't walk in. And so he wanted something to eat and Jacob said, "Well, I tell you what, you sell me your birthright." And Esau said, "Sure. I'm at the point of death. What good does that birthright do me?" Now, here's the point I want you to note. Esau was willing to sell his birthright for temporal gratification and temporal pleasure. And the Bible says, "Thus he despised his birthright." What was the birthright? I hope you remember. There were three things included in that birthright.
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First, the birthright included a double portion of the family estate. So if there were four children, the eldest then got twice as much as the other three. You say, why? Because it was the eldest child's responsibility to take care of his elderly parents when they could not take care of themselves. That was God's divine provision for old age. Secondly, the birthright included headship of the family clan. There was a responsibility, not just of taking care of mom and dad when they're old, but there was a responsibility of being the head and leader of the family clan. And thirdly, it included the lineage of the Messiah. In other words, the Messiah, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, would be through that birthright.
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And the Bible says that Esau despised this, and he literally sold all of this for a bowl of beans. Truly, Esau hated spiritual things. He had no use for them.
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Now, you ask, well, if he had the birthright, if Jacob had the birthright, now because it was sold to him, when it came time to receive the blessing, why did Jacob try to deceive his father? Why didn't he just come in and say, "Father, the birthright is mine. I bought it from Esau"? Because he knew that Esau would not keep his end of the bargain and the blessing really and truly went with the birthright.
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And so here's what happened. He deceived his father and his father already knew that God had chosen Jacob. But yet he was willing to give that blessing to Esau because Esau was his eldest and he loved to eat of his son's venison. That was it. You have to say that Isaac wasn't right with God at this particular point as well because he was willing to go contrary to what he knew the will of God was. So Jacob had the birthright. The blessing went with the birthright. And he deceived his father and got the blessing to go with the birthright. Now, when Esau comes in and he finds out what Jacob has done, he lifts up his voice and cries. And he says, "Bless me, even me also, O my father." And Isaac said, "I'm sorry.
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Your brother's come in, he's taken the blessing, and he shall be blessed indeed." Now, I want you to watch this. When you come down to verse 41, the Bible says in Genesis 27 that Esau hated his brother in his heart. Genesis 27, verse 41. And he said, "After my father dies, after the days of mourning are over for him, I'll get my revenge. I will kill my brother Jacob. I'll nail him to the wall."
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Now, let's ask some questions. Why did he so hate Jacob? You say, well, because he got the birthright and the blessing. Why did he want to kill Jacob? You say, well, he was the instrument in taking that birthright and that blessing. Well, let me ask you a question again. Did you not know that God had already chosen Jacob? Did his parents not already know that God had chosen Jacob? Yes. Did Esau not know? Well, of course he knew. What in the world was Esau doing? Esau was murmuring and complaining and was bitter and resentful against God, but he pointed at Jacob and said, "Jacob, you're the instrument, so therefore I hate you." But in reality, what he was murmuring about and complaining about was God's choice and God's providential dealings. He didn't like the way God had worked it out. He didn't like God's choice. He didn't like God's working it out. So although he indirectly pointed his hatred and his resentment toward Jacob, in reality, his hatred and his resentment was toward God. Why?
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He didn't like God's dealings. But to show you the irresponsibility of Esau, he was willing to sell it for a bowl of beans. He didn't care anything about it. It's kind of like we have two dogs and we can put a piece of food down for Dixie and she doesn't want it. She'll raise her nose and turn around and walk off. But when Hush Puppy comes up to get the food, she rushes back and takes it just to keep him from getting it.
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You know, that's literally what resentment is. I mean, you know, I don't want you to have it. I can't have it, but I don't want you to have it. It can't be my way, but I don't want it to go your way. Let me show you how we verbalize our resentment against God in such of these providential acts. We begin to ask such questions: Why did God allow this to happen? Why did this happen to me?
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How did I get in such a mess? Why did God even allow this man to be born? I feel so helpless. There's nothing that I can do about it. Why did all this come my way? Why did it have to happen at this time? What are we doing? We're saying, "God, we don't like your sovereignty. We don't like your providential dealings in our lives. We don't like what you allowed to come to pass." You see, when you and I get bitter and resentful, it can occur over a number of things. It could occur over our children. It could occur over the loss of mates. It could occur over money. It could occur over accidents or what I rather call incidents. Because there's no accidents in a world that's ruled by God. But we just don't like those things that happen to us. And when we get disappointed in certain areas, we become bitter and resentful. Why? Because we don't like what God has allowed to happen in our lives.
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We've got to understand one simple truth: Whatever God brings to pass in our lives, He does it ultimately for His glory and for our good, whether we like it or not. Whether we understand it or not, it is still for our good. When Henry quoted Romans 8:28 earlier, "And we know that all things work together for good," that is not saying that all things are good. It is just saying all things work together for good, whether we like them or not. Whether they're good to us or not. So, we've got to remember that bitterness and resentment, although we sometimes focus on people, in reality it's directed at God and His providential dealings.
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Thirdly, I want you to see that bitterness is the source of individual and corporate problems. Look back in your Bibles to Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 15. Bitterness is the source of individual and corporate problems. Hebrews 12 verse 15, look carefully, look what God says: "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." Now I want you to note how that verse is written. Look at the latter part of verse 15: "lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you"—who? You, individual, singular—"and thereby many"—plural—"be defiled." So bitterness and resentment, although it may start with one individual, spreads like an infection.
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Let's ask a question and try to answer it. How do we become bitter? How do we become resentful? How does bitterness and resentfulness develop in us? Here is the answer: Bitterness and resentfulness are the result of unbiblical and ungodly responses to people and problems. Let me say that again. Bitterness and resentment are the result of unbiblical and ungodly responses to people and problems. When we respond unbiblically, we always, always develop bitterness and resentment. It's just that simple.
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Let me point it out again, and please listen carefully. Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter. We make ourselves resentful. Bitterness and resentfulness are personal sins. The only way anyone can make us bitter is if we allow them to make us bitter, but we're actually doing it ourselves. We become bitter when we respond unbiblically to people and problems. Let me show you, very quickly, what God has ordained.
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I want you to turn in your Bibles, first of all. Let's go to Romans 5. Romans 5. Then we'll—I'll tell you what. Then we'll go to 1 Corinthians and to James, alright? So let's go to Romans chapter 5 first. And look, if you would please. In fact, I can read the first three verses. Verse 3 is what I want, but let's read verses 1 and 2 so you can see the context. Romans 5, verse 1.
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"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
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Now let me just stop there. You know what the word rejoice here means? It literally means to exult, to jump up and down in.
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Now look what he says. We're justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, we have access by faith in this grace wherein we stand, and therefore we exalt, we jump up and down, we rejoice in the glory of God. Now look at verse 3: "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience." Guess what? The word glory in verse 3 is the same as the word rejoice in verse 2. He says, "And not only so, but we exalt, we jump up and down in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope."
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Now, what does he say we do with our problems? We rejoice in them. We jump up and down. When's the last time you've actually said, "Thank God, I don't have enough money to pay my bills. Isn't this wonderful?" When's the last time you've said, "Thank God, I'm as sick as a dog. Isn't this wonderful?" We don't normally jump up and down in our problems. We don't normally exult in them.
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And God said the reason we should is that these tribulations, these tests, work patience in us, and patience works experience, and experience works hope, and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. What is He saying? Ultimately, it's going to be for our good, although it may not be good to us at that particular time.
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Now, look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 10. Here's another reason why we should exalt or jump up and down in our tribulations. 1 Corinthians 10, verse 13. Look what he says, 1 Corinthians 10, verse 13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful."
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Now look: "who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." Let's stop right there. "But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able." God will never put more on you than you can take. If God puts something on you, you can take it. I don't care if it's the loss of a loved one. I don't care if it's the death of a child. I don't care if it's financial problems. I don't care if it's personal sickness. If God brought it to pass in your life, you can take it. And look what else he says in verse 13.
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"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man." So what happens to me happens to Doc. What happens to Doc happens to Henry. What happens to Henry happens to us. We all have the same things. It's all common. There's no supernatural problems. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."
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Now watch: "but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." God always has a way out for us. You know what His way out is? Obedience to the word of God. That's the way out. And as long as we're disobedient, we stay in our problems. So why should we exalt? Here's why: Because God always makes a way out for us.
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He never puts more on us than we can take. And you're going to see that our problems are designed to build biblical character. And they will if we respond biblically.
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Now, look in the book of James. Right after the book of Hebrews, James 1 and verse 3. And we can read verse 4 as well. James 1 verse 3. Look what he says: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Well, let's go back to verse 2. Verse 2 is what I wanted: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."
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Now the word divers means variegated, many colored, different kinds. So he says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations," or different kinds of tests and problems. Why should we count it joy? "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." He says, ultimately, if we respond biblically, all of these problems are going to build biblical character in us. So let me put it like this: God intends for our problems to be a strengthening process for us. He intends them to build biblical character. Where we sin is this: we refuse to act biblically and scripturally and then we resent what has happened to us, and we become bitter because it has happened.
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In other words, we don't use the problem as a stepping stone. We stumble over it and break sometimes more than our fingernails.
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Now, we tend to think that it is someone or something that is responsible for what has happened to us or what has happened to our family, or someone or something is responsible for bringing unfavorable circumstances in our life, and therefore we develop bitterness and resentment toward them. In other words, we view them as the cause of our problem. We fail to remember that God is in control and that nothing happens apart from God's divine intervention and providence. And whatever happens, He does it for our good and for His glory.
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Now, let me repeat this again. Bitterness and resentment are personal sins. Proverbs 4 and verse 23 commands us, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." God has commanded us to keep our heart. So when we become bitter, when we become resentful, we're not keeping our heart. You know what the Bible says in Proverbs 25 and verse 28? Listen to this.
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"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." What's that mean? Walls were built around a city to protect it. You break down the walls, anybody can walk in, get what they want, and walk out. So God says he who has no control over his own spirit, it's like a city broken down without walls. People can manipulate you left and right.
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They can make you angry. They can make you bitter. How? Because you can't control yourself. My father used to box some, and I took some boxing lessons from him, and he told me this, and I never have forgotten it. He said, "Son, if you ever really want to hurt somebody in a fight, the first thing you do is make them mad." You know why? Because when a man gets mad, he loses control and he'll draw back for a haymaker. And when he draws back for that haymaker, if you keep your cool, you can step in and pop him four or five times before he can ever swing. Why? Because he's lost it. If you can control someone, you can manipulate them any way you want them. But if they keep their spirit under control, there's not one thing you can do. You know what the Bible says? Let me quote it. Proverbs 16, verse 32. Listen to this.
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"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." So God says if you can control your own self, if you can control your own spirit, your mind, your heart, your disposition, your attitude, you're better than the greatest warrior that ever lived. But see, let me point this out too. What he said, "lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." What is he saying? He's saying bitterness and resentment are infectious. It's venomous. It's like a snake bite. The snake might bite you on the arm, but pretty soon that venom is spread throughout the entire body.
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And that's what happens in a lot of church bodies. Bitterness and resentment spreads throughout, and God says that bitterness and resentment are contagious. They're infectious. Bitterness and resentment have caused and compounded multitudes of problems, but they have never, ever solved a problem. So bitterness is a source of individual and corporate problems.
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Fourthly, number four today, bitterness is utterly incompatible with the Christian faith and makes worship impossible. We're in the book of James. I want you to turn there to James chapter 3. Look at verses 14 through 16. James chapter 3. Let's begin reading there in verse 14. Look what he says: "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth."
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"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
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Now, James 3 verses 14 through 16 reveals the true nature of bitterness. Now, many times we try to hide our bitterness under a false zeal, under a hypocritical righteousness, or by masking our anger and bitterness and pretending that we have greater insight and greater wisdom.
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Now, I want you to look what Scripture says. Verse 14: "If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth." Now, I want you to note the command is to glory not. What does that mean? It means that we're not to exult in it. We're not to rejoice in it. We're not to jump up and down in it. But you know, we often do exactly that. We glory in it.
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You say, how do you do so? Well, I've heard people say, "I have a right to be bitter." Oh, you do? How about this one? "Well, if you had to live with that man, you'd be bitter too." Or "If you had to live with that woman, you'd be bitter too." I mean, come on. How about this one? "I tried to tell them, but they wouldn't listen to me.
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They'll find out next time, won't they?" What are we saying? "I don't like it because they wouldn't follow what I wanted to say, and they got just exactly what they deserved." You're rejoicing in your bitterness. You're rejoicing in your resentment.
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Now, look what he says: "glory not, and lie not against the truth." This is something that if it ever hits home to us, it'll put a little difference on our attitude. You talk about an attitude adjustment. He says, "glory not, and lie not against the truth." In other words, when we are glorying or rejoicing in bitterness and resentment and bitter envy, we are lying against the truth. What is truth? Well, the Bible tells us in John 17:17, number one, that the scriptures are truth. Our Lord said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 14:6 tells us that Jesus Christ is truth, the Son is truth. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." And John 14:17 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. So when we are glorying in our resentment and our bitterness, we're lying against the Scriptures, we're lying against the Son, we're lying against the Spirit of God.
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How can we do that? Well, we lie against the Scriptures, for Scriptures teach that bitterness and resentment are to be put off and put away. We're lying against the Son because the Son commands us to meekness, humility, and forgiveness. And we're lying against the Spirit because the Holy Spirit does not lead us, guide us, or direct us into an unbiblical and ungodly attitude. So that means when we rejoice in a bad, wicked attitude, we're lying against the scriptures, against the Son of God and the Spirit of God.
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I want you to see in this that bitterness is not only incompatible with the Christian faith, it makes real, genuine worship unacceptable, not performable. If you've got that attitude, your worship is unacceptable. Why? Because you're overcome with bitterness and resentment and you cannot render to God that which he deserves, nor that which he demands. And he demands that you come with a humble and meek spirit and meek attitude, not a haughty, resentful, bitter attitude.
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Now, fifthly, and I want you to look in James chapter 3 again. Here's the fifth point: bitterness makes it impossible for one to be right with God. Let's just cut to the chase, here it is: bitterness and resentment make it impossible for an individual to be right with God. Now, we're in James chapter 3, and I want you to hold that, but I want you to turn back to Ephesians chapter 4. Ephesians chapter 4, hold James 3, because we're coming back there. But look in Ephesians chapter 4. Ephesians 4 verse 31. Look what God says. Ephesians 4 verse 31: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." Now, what is God commanding? That all bitterness, wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking is to be put away from us with all malice. In other words, we're not to do that. That is to be put off. Verse 32: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
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That is to be put on. So God tells us to put off all this bitterness.
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Now, look in your Bibles to James 3, if you would, and let's begin reading there, verse 11. Watch what is said. James 3, verse 11. Here are the questions: "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."
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Now, it is impossible to be obedient and disobedient at the same time. It's impossible to be in submission to God and in rebellion at the same time. How can we be right when we're wrong? Can a fountain send forth sweet water and bitter at the same time? No. One at a time. Can a fig tree bear olives? No. Can an olive bear figs? No. What is he saying? You can only have one attitude at a time. You can only be one thing at a time. If we're bitter and resentful and hateful and full of ill will, we can't be right with God. Because when we're right with God, we put those things off.
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We cast them from us. We don't want them around us. We don't want them near us.
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Now, let me tell you what will happen. If we want to hold on to our bitterness and our resentment, one of several things will happen. Either number one, we will cease performing our duties as a child of God as we ought. Let me explain what I mean by that. Are you commanded to read your Bible? Sure. Supposed to read it every day? Sure. You know, I don't necessarily endorse Dwight L. Moody's theology, but he did write something in the flyleaf of his Bible that I do agree with. He wrote in the flyleaf of his Bible, now listen: either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book. That's true, folks.
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You let somebody get their heart in a knot, you let them get their attitude wrong, they're not going to be reading this book. Why? Because this book is going to condemn their attitude and their actions. Either this book will keep them from sin, or sin is going to keep them from this book. Do you remember what David asked in Psalm 119, verse 9? "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?"
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"By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." So, we will either, if we hold on to our bad attitudes, we'll either cease from our duties, or our duties will dry up altogether. I have seen this a hundred times. People who get their attitude wrong, their heart wrong, used to sit on the front row.
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Next thing you know, they're out in the middle. Then they're in the back, kind of like the Baptists are today, you know. And they get on the back row. And the next thing you know, they start skipping one service, then two services, then three services, then they're gone. You do it gradually. This is what I'm saying. You either drop or if you stay, you do what you do grudgingly.
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"I got to do it. I might as well do it anyhow. I mean, get it over with." You follow me? Because it's impossible to be right and wrong at the same time.
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Now, let me just make an application that you try to tie this together. Our exposition of Hebrews 12 will come next Sunday, OK? Are you listening? Removing people or removing problems will not help our bitterness. Why? Because bitterness is a personal sin. And until bitterness and resentment are repented of and dealt with biblically, they're just simply going to continue. So if I say, "I don't like Dr. Homer.
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Bless God, he caused me to do this and he made me do that. I don't like him." You know what? He could move to Timbuktu and I'd still be a bitter person. Why? Because bitterness is personal. And if I got rid of him or I moved to Timbuktu and left him in South Georgia, I would still be a bitter person. Some of you remember Pogo the Possum, he used to be on the water tower here, I don't know if he still is. But you remember his famous saying: "We have met the enemy and he is us."
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And that's a fact, folks. Bitterness and resentment, bad attitudes are personal sins. You remember Esau was so upset with Jacob, he was going to murder him. And what did Isaac and Rebekah do? They sent him to Padan Aram. And he stayed there for years. I forget how many. Seven, seven, fourteen, and then seven more. So at least 21 years. He was gone for 21 years. Here's my question: Did that change Esau? No. Esau was still wicked, ungodly.
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It didn't help him at all. You know, I've heard men say, and I hope they said it jokingly, but I've heard men say, "You know, I could be the best husband in the world if it wasn't for my wife." Or "I could be the best wife in the world if it wasn't for my husband." Or "I could be the best parent if it wasn't for my children." Well, you know.
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The point is, removing the person or removing the problem doesn't change us. We have to change. We have to repent. We have to confess and acknowledge our sins. And put away our bitterness and resentment and our anger and our ill will. And replace it with biblical obedience, you know. One of the men in the Bible that everyone knows is the Apostle Peter. You remember how he denied Christ three times. And Christ told him, he said, "Before the cock crows twice, thou shalt deny me thrice." And Peter did. And when that old cock crowed the third time, you know what the Bible says in Matthew 26 and Luke 22 about Peter?
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He went out and wept bitterly. He was repenting. "Lord, you were right. I was wrong." You know, that's where we have to come to with our attitudes: "Lord, You're right. I'm wrong. And I want my attitude to be right. I want to be humble and meek and thankful and obedient. I want my life brought in conformity to your words. And I want my life to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ." Bitterness and resentment
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do not harm our enemies. They harm us. And they harm our ministry. And they dishonor Christ. Let's pray. Father, we are thankful for Jesus Christ and for his love and mercy and grace to us. And Lord, we must confess and acknowledge that each of us have had problems with attitudes and bitterness and resentment and ill will and hatred and hard feelings. And Lord, I pray that you would help us to bring our lives in conformity to your word and help us to realize that when problems come,
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they're not for our detriment, but for our benefit, and they will be. If we will respond biblically, they will strengthen us and build us up in character. Help us, Lord, to love thee and to live for thee and to bring our lives in conformity to your word. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T23:19:43Z

The Sin of Bitterness - Part 1

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver introduces a two-part message on the sin of bitterness, focusing on its nature and consequences before an exposition of Hebrews 12:12-17 next week. He argues that the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit, with bitterness being one of the worst. Bitterness is described as a word used for the unconverted, an attack on God's providence, a source of individual and corporate defilement, incompatible with Christian faith and worship, and a barrier to being right with God. Using Esau as a key example, Weaver shows that bitterness is a personal sin directed ultimately at God, not merely at people or circumstances.

Introduction and Text

Weaver introduces the two-part message on the sin of bitterness, reading Hebrews 12:12-17 and noting that today's sermon is introductory, with exposition to follow next week.

Sins of the Saints Are Primarily Sins of the Spirit

Now, if you look in your Bibles, 2 Corinthians 7 and verse 1, look, if you would, what the Apostle says there. 2 Corinthians 7, verse 1:

Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 7:1

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Bitterness Describes the Unconverted

So what is he saying? We are to be different. We don't walk like they walk. That is, we don't act the way they act. We do not conduct our lives the way they conduct their lives.

Scripture Reading — Deuteronomy 29:18

Here it is called a root that beareth gall and wormwood. Deuteronomy 29 verse 18. Now turn right over to Deuteronomy 32 and look at verse 32. God is talking about the wickedness of Israel. And he makes this statement: "For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter." What's he describing? He's describing a people who are idolatrous and wicked and he's comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah. And he says they are bitter. Now, if you look in Psalm 10 and verse 7, Psalm 10 and verse 7.

Bitterness Is an Attack on God's Providence

Scripture Reading — Genesis 25:22-34

Now before I comment on that, turn over to Genesis 27. And let me read this passage and let's try to put them together. Genesis 27 and let's begin reading with verse 26. You know how Jacob has now dressed in the garments of Esau. He's taken goat's hair and put it on his arms and he's deceiving his father and he's making his father think that he's Esau. And so in verse 26, "And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed."

Scripture Reading — Genesis 27:26-41

"And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing."

Now, let's skip down, if you would, just to verse 41. Look carefully.

Scripture Reading — Genesis 27:26-41

"And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob."

Now, let's go back to Genesis 25. Let me ask you a question. Think about this. Did not God choose Jacob over Esau? Yes. Did not God reveal that choice to Isaac and Rebekah? Yes, He did.

Bitterness Causes Individual and Corporate Problems

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 25:28

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

Bitterness Is Incompatible with Christian Faith and Worship

Bitterness Makes It Impossible to Be Right with God

"I got to do it. I might as well do it anyhow. I mean, get it over with." You follow me? Because it's impossible to be right and wrong at the same time.

Application and Conclusion

The Sin of Bitterness - Part 1

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	3707175759
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Assurance, Providence, and Life in the Spirit: Romans 8:28-39
Genre	Sermon
Date	2007-02-11
Dictation Name
Book	Book 161: The Sin of Bitterness — Chapter 1
Source Timed Segments	94

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction and Text: Weaver introduces the two-part message on the sin of bitterness, reading Hebrews 12:12-17 and noting that today's sermon is introductory, with exposition to follow next week.
Sins of the Saints Are Primarily Sins of the Spirit: Weaver explains that while saints can sin physically, their primary sins are spiritual, citing 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and 2 Corinthians 7:1 to show that believers are cleansed from fleshly sins but must also be cleansed from spiritual sins like bitterness.
Bitterness Describes the Unconverted: Weaver demonstrates that the Bible uses 'bitterness' to describe the lost, referencing Deuteronomy 29:18, Deuteronomy 32:32, Psalm 10:7 (cf. Romans 3:13-14), and Acts 8:20-23 (Simon the sorcerer). Bitterness in a saint is a contradiction.
Bitterness Is an Attack on God's Providence: Weaver argues that bitterness, though often directed at people, is ultimately against God's providential dealings. Using Esau (Genesis 25, 27), he shows Esau's hatred for Jacob was really resentment of God's sovereign choice.
Bitterness Causes Individual and Corporate Problems: Weaver explains from Hebrews 12:15 that bitterness starts with one person but defiles many. Bitterness results from unbiblical responses to people and problems; God intends problems to build character (Romans 5:3, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:2-4).
Bitterness Is Incompatible with Christian Faith and Worship: Weaver teaches from James 3:14-16 that bitterness is earthly, sensual, devilish, and causes confusion. Rejoicing in bitterness is lying against the truth (Scripture, Christ, the Spirit), making genuine worship impossible.
Bitterness Makes It Impossible to Be Right with God: Weaver asserts that bitterness prevents a right relationship with God. Ephesians 4:31 commands putting away bitterness; James 3:11-12 illustrates that one cannot produce both sweet and bitter water. Holding onto bitterness leads to neglect of spiritual duties.
Application and Conclusion: Weaver applies that removing people or problems does not cure bitterness because it is a personal sin requiring repentance. He cites Peter's bitter weeping as an example of repentance and closes in prayer.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Saints' primary sins are spiritual, not physical

Believers are cleansed from fleshly sins at conversion and are called to cleanse themselves from spiritual sins like bitterness.

Weaver contrasts 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (such were some of you) with 2 Corinthians 7:1 (cleanse from filthiness of flesh and spirit) to argue that spiritual sins are the real problem for saints.

Bitterness is a characteristic of the lost

Scripture uses 'bitterness' to describe the unconverted, so its presence in a believer is an anomaly.

Weaver cites Deuteronomy 29:18, 32:32, Psalm 10:7 (cf. Romans 3:13-14), and Acts 8:23 to show bitterness describes the ungodly.

Bitterness is rebellion against God's sovereignty

Esau's hatred of Jacob was really resentment of God's choice, showing bitterness is directed at God's providential dealings.

Weaver analyzes Genesis 25 and 27, concluding, 'Esau was murmuring and complaining and was bitter and resentful against God, but he pointed at Jacob.'

Bitterness is a personal sin, not caused by others

We become bitter by our own unbiblical responses; removing people or problems does not cure bitterness.

Weaver states, 'Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter,' and illustrates with Esau's unchanged heart after Jacob left.

Bitterness defiles many and spreads like an infection

Hebrews 12:15 warns that a root of bitterness troubles the individual and defiles many, showing its corporate impact.

Weaver explains, 'bitterness and resentment, although it may start with one individual, spreads like an infection.'

Bitterness makes worship and right relationship with God impossible

James 3:11-12 shows one cannot produce both sweet and bitter; bitterness must be put away (Ephesians 4:31) to be right with God.

Weaver says, 'If we're bitter and resentful... we can't be right with God,' and notes that holding onto bitterness leads to neglect of spiritual duties.

Scripture References

Hebrews 12:12-17: Primary text for the sermon series; read at the beginning and referenced throughout, especially verse 15 on the root of bitterness.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11: Used to show that the unrighteous (characterized by physical sins) will not inherit the kingdom, but believers are washed and sanctified from such sins.
2 Corinthians 7:1: Cited to emphasize cleansing from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, highlighting the need to address spiritual sins.
Ephesians 4:17: Quoted to show believers are not to walk as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.
Deuteronomy 29:18: Warns against a root bearing gall and wormwood (bitterness) among the people, describing the unconverted.
Deuteronomy 32:32: Describes the wicked as having bitter clusters, comparing them to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Psalm 10:7: Describes the ungodly; compared with Romans 3:13-14 to show bitterness characterizes the lost.
Romans 3:13-14: Paul's quotation/allusion to Psalm 10:7, showing the ungodly are full of cursing and bitterness.
Acts 8:20-23: Peter tells Simon the sorcerer he is in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity, showing bitterness marks the unconverted.
Genesis 25:22-34: Account of Esau selling his birthright; used to show Esau despised spiritual things and later became bitter.
Genesis 27:26-41: Jacob deceives Isaac for the blessing; Esau's bitter cry and hatred for Jacob, illustrating bitterness against God's providence.
Malachi 1:2-3: Referenced as God's statement, 'Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated,' affirming divine election.
Romans 9:13: Referenced alongside Malachi 1:2-3 regarding God's choice of Jacob over Esau.
Romans 5:1-5: Teaches that believers should glory in tribulations because they produce patience, experience, and hope.
1 Corinthians 10:13: God is faithful to not allow temptation beyond what we can bear and provides a way of escape.
James 1:2-4: Believers are to count it all joy when facing trials, knowing they produce patience and maturity.
Proverbs 4:23: Commands keeping the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 25:28: He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls.
Proverbs 16:32: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.
James 3:14-16: Bitter envying and strife is earthly, sensual, devilish, and leads to confusion and every evil work.

Historical References

Herbert Lockyer, *The Sins of the Saints*: Weaver mentions Lockyer's book dealing with sins of the spirit, introducing the concept that saints' sins are primarily spiritual.
Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25, 27): Extensive historical example used to illustrate bitterness as an attack on God's providence; Esau sold his birthright and later hated Jacob for receiving the blessing.
Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8): Example of an unconverted person described as being in the gall of bitterness, showing bitterness marks the lost.
Dwight L. Moody: Weaver quotes Moody's inscription in his Bible: 'either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book,' though he does not endorse all Moody's theology.
Pogo the Possum (comic strip character): Weaver quotes Pogo's famous saying, 'We have met the enemy and he is us,' to illustrate that bitterness is a personal sin.
Apostle Peter's denial and bitter weeping: Peter's repentance after denying Christ is cited as an example of godly sorrow over sin, contrasting with Esau's unrepentant bitterness.

Important Quotes

the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit.

Central thesis of the sermon, establishing that believers' main struggle is with internal, spiritual sins like bitterness rather than outward physical sins.

Bitterness and resentment are the result of unbiblical and ungodly responses to people and problems.

Defines the root cause of bitterness as a personal, sinful response rather than external circumstances.

Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter.

Emphasizes personal responsibility for bitterness, countering the tendency to blame others.

Esau was murmuring and complaining and was bitter and resentful against God, but he pointed at Jacob and said, 'Jacob, you're the instrument, so therefore I hate you.'

Key illustration that bitterness is ultimately directed at God's providence, not merely at human agents.

lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.

Quotation of Hebrews 12:15 used to show the corporate defiling effect of bitterness.

either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.

Attributed to D.L. Moody, illustrating how bitterness leads to neglect of Scripture.

We have met the enemy and he is us.

Pogo quote used to drive home that the problem of bitterness is internal, not external.

He went out and wept bitterly.

Reference to Peter's repentance, contrasting godly sorrow with sinful bitterness.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

Why does Weaver argue that the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit? How does this challenge common perceptions of sin in believers?

[Context]

Weaver introduces this concept early, using 1 Corinthians 6 and 2 Corinthians 7 to distinguish between physical and spiritual sins.

[Question]

How does the Bible's use of 'bitterness' to describe the unconverted (e.g., Deuteronomy 29:18, Acts 8:23) affect our understanding of bitterness in a believer's life?

[Context]

Weaver shows that bitterness is a mark of the lost, making it a contradiction in a saint.

[Question]

In what ways was Esau's bitterness ultimately directed at God rather than Jacob? How does this apply to our own resentments?

[Context]

Weaver uses the Esau narrative to illustrate that bitterness is an attack on God's providential dealings.

[Question]

Weaver states, 'Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter.' Do you agree? How does this truth change the way we handle offenses?

[Context]

This statement is part of the argument that bitterness is a personal sin requiring personal repentance.

[Question]

According to James 3:14-16, why is bitterness incompatible with genuine Christian worship? What does it mean to 'lie against the truth' when we glory in bitterness?

[Context]

Weaver explains that bitterness is earthly, sensual, devilish, and that rejoicing in it is lying against Scripture, Christ, and the Spirit.

[Question]

How does bitterness make it impossible to be right with God, according to James 3:11-12 and Ephesians 4:31-32? What practical steps can we take to put away bitterness?

[Context]

Weaver argues that one cannot produce both sweet and bitter fruit; bitterness must be put off and replaced with kindness and forgiveness.

[Question]

Weaver says that removing people or problems does not cure bitterness. Why is this true, and what is the biblical solution?

[Context]

In the application, Weaver emphasizes that bitterness is a heart issue that requires repentance, not circumstantial change.

[Question]

How does Peter's bitter weeping (Matthew 26:75) serve as a positive example in contrast to Esau's bitterness? What does true repentance from bitterness look like?

[Context]

Weaver closes with Peter's repentance as a model of godly sorrow leading to change.

Applications

Format deepseek deepseek-v4-pro structured study JSON | Source Commentary.net transcript enrichment

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T14:23:39Z

The Sin of Bitterness - Part 1

Formatted Transcript

Introduction and Text

Sins of the Saints Are Primarily Sins of the Spirit

Bitterness Describes the Unconverted

Bitterness Is an Attack on God's Providence

Bitterness Causes Individual and Corporate Problems

Bitterness Is Incompatible with Christian Faith and Worship

Bitterness Makes It Impossible to Be Right with God

Application and Conclusion

Study Guide

Major Themes

Primacy of Spiritual Sins in Believers

Bitterness as a Mark of the Unconverted

Bitterness Directed Against God's Providence

Personal Responsibility for Bitterness

Incompatibility of Bitterness with Christian Faith

Bitterness as a Barrier to Right Relationship with God

Key Arguments

Saints' primary sins are spiritual, not physical

Bitterness is a characteristic of the lost

Bitterness is rebellion against God's sovereignty

Bitterness is a personal sin, not caused by others

Bitterness defiles many and spreads like an infection

Bitterness makes worship and right relationship with God impossible

Scripture References

Historical References

Herbert Lockyer, *The Sins of the Saints*

Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25, 27)

Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8)

Dwight L. Moody

Pogo the Possum (comic strip character)

Apostle Peter's denial and bitter weeping

Important Quotes

Discussion Questions

Why does Weaver argue that the sins of the saints are primarily sins of the spirit? How does this challenge common perceptions of sin in believers?

How does the Bible's use of 'bitterness' to describe the unconverted (e.g., Deuteronomy 29:18, Acts 8:23) affect our understanding of bitterness in a believer's life?

In what ways was Esau's bitterness ultimately directed at God rather than Jacob? How does this apply to our own resentments?

Weaver states, 'Neither people nor problems can make us bitter. We make ourselves bitter.' Do you agree? How does this truth change the way we handle offenses?

According to James 3:14-16, why is bitterness incompatible with genuine Christian worship? What does it mean to 'lie against the truth' when we glory in bitterness?

How does bitterness make it impossible to be right with God, according to James 3:11-12 and Ephesians 4:31-32? What practical steps can we take to put away bitterness?

Weaver says that removing people or problems does not cure bitterness. Why is this true, and what is the biblical solution?

How does Peter's bitter weeping (Matthew 26:75) serve as a positive example in contrast to Esau's bitterness? What does true repentance from bitterness look like?

Applications

Examine your heart for spiritual sins

Repent of bitterness as a personal sin

Trust God's providence in difficult circumstances

Put away bitterness through biblical obedience

Guard against the spread of bitterness in the church

Maintain spiritual disciplines to combat bitterness

Respond to trials with joy, knowing they produce maturity

Seek genuine repentance, not just removal of problems

Introduction and Text

Sins of the Saints Are Primarily Sins of the Spirit

Bitterness Describes the Unconverted

Bitterness Is an Attack on God's Providence

Bitterness Causes Individual and Corporate Problems

Bitterness Is Incompatible with Christian Faith and Worship

Bitterness Makes It Impossible to Be Right with God

Application and Conclusion

Lecture Guide

Outline

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Saints' primary sins are spiritual, not physical

Bitterness is a characteristic of the lost

Bitterness is rebellion against God's sovereignty

Bitterness is a personal sin, not caused by others

Bitterness defiles many and spreads like an infection

Bitterness makes worship and right relationship with God impossible

Scripture References

Historical References

Important Quotes

Discussion Questions

Applications

Herbert Lockyer, The Sins of the Saints