Scripture
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.
Observation
When you find yourself constantly saying something derogatory about someone else, pay attention to what's happening! What you're saying about that person is a tell-tale sign that some bad seed is trying to take root in your heart.
Hebrews 12:15 tells us how to recognize bad seed when it begins to produce destructive fruit in our lives. It says, ...lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you.... The words springing up are from the Greek word phuoo. This word depicts a little plant that is just starting to sprout and grow. It isn't a large plant yet; rather, it's a small seedling that is just breaking through the soil and starting to peek out at the world. However, the very fact that it's peeking through the soil means there is a seed hidden in the soil producing this new life.
This is a very significant picture. It tells us that bitterness doesn't overwhelm us all at once. Instead, it grows a little here and a little there until it finally becomes a huge, ugly growth that defiles our entire lives. Bitterness usually starts peeking up out of the depths of our souls in the form of negative thoughts about another person or a sour, sharp, distrusting, cynical attitude toward someone who has offended us. If the root is not quickly uprooted and removed, that bitterness will eventually become a full-blown tree that produces bitter, wounding, hurtful, and scornful fruit for everyone who eats of it.
Heb 2:15 shouts its warning: If you don't stop these attitudes, they will eventually trouble you. The words trouble you are from the Greek word enochleo, which means to trouble, to harass, or to annoy. It refers to something inside that bothers and upsets you so much, you are constantly pestered by thoughts about it. In fact, your whole life is stalked by these hassling, troubling thoughts. What you allowed to take root and to fester inside your soul has now become a major nuisance to your peace, keeping you upset and emotionally torn up all the time.
Application
• Do you have a grudge against someone that just gnaws away at you all the time?
• Every time you see that person, do you feel something sharp and ugly inside?
• When you hear about that person being blessed, do you wonder how God could possibly bless him when he did such an ugly thing to you?
• Do negative thoughts like these pester and bother you all the time?
If you relate to the questions above, then watch out! It may mean that a root of bitterness is growing inside you and that bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness are starting to hound and stalk you wherever you go!
You really don’t want to take that path. You'll lose your peace, forfeit your joy, and toss aside your victory. It's too painful, too hurtful, and costs you too much in your walk with God.
Prayer
Lord, I ask You to please forgive me for allowing negative thoughts about others to consume me. Even though I don't like what they did to me, I have no right to be bitter and resentful. I realize now that I am acting just as ugly inwardly as they acted outwardly. In Your eyes, my sin is just as bad as theirs. I am truly sorry for allowing these attitudes to grow inside me, Lord. To the best of my ability, I turn right now from the wrong thoughts that have been consuming me, and I choose instead to speak well of those who have offended or hurt me. Holy Spirit, help me uproot those wrong feelings from my heart and replace them with love and forgiveness.
I pray this in Jesus' name
