Friday, July 3
Poisoned by Bitterness
A fool's wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.
Proverbs 12:16
Eric had definite ideas about how the evangelism program at his church should run, and when the church leadership implemented a different program, he grew angry. He told others that his opinions didn't seem to matter. He steamed and stewed. He resented the pastor and staff. He thought of changing churches, but didn't want to give up his friends. Unknown to him, however, most of his friends wondered what was wrong with him. For three years, Eric was in the grip of negative feelings, which, far more than any change of program or procedure, really did hinder his ability to effectively evangelize the lost.
It's strange how easily we can become embittered at church—because…. In Acts 8, Peter warned that our personalities can be "poisoned by bitterness" (verse 23). The Book of Hebrews warns against letting any root of bitterness spring up, for it can cause trouble and defile many. We're to be bigger rather than bitter, forgiving others of their sins against us even as the Lord has forgiven us our sins against Him.
Is there an insult you can shrug off today?
A grudge is like a baby; it has to be nursed if it's going to survive.
John Ortberg
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Proverbs 6:1 - 8:36
