When you are offended or disappointed by others and allow the hurt to germinate in your heart, bitterness and resentment will take root. Characterized by an unforgiving spirit and generally negative, critical attitudes, bitterness and resentment are both sinful and self-defeating. 

Bitterness is a malignancy that makes a person extremely vulnerable to unwise decisions and destructive thought patterns that infiltrate and affect our bodies as well as our souls. It may aggravate or even cause physical problems.
 

"Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled" (Hebrews 12:14,15).

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31,32).

"Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23).

"Then Jesus said, ’Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’" (Luke 23:34).

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14,15).

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ’Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:14-21).
 

God can free you from the sin of bitterness. It is an oppressive and destructive emotion that is the root of resentment, anger, hate and other negative emotions, which when not dealt with may even lead to violence.

No one can have peace and happiness with such emotions raging within. That is why you must repent. If you have not done so, ask God to forgive you and come into your life right now. He will deliver you from the power of the enemy (Psalm 91:3).

If you are already a Christian, plead with God to forgive you for being bitter and resentful. Then ask Him to forgive anyone who may have hurt you, and toward whom you are bitter or resentful and angry, even as He forgives you.

Seek to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Look for opportunities to demonstrate love to the person who offended you.

God forgives and forgets sin. However, you may have made your best effort to forgive and forget, only to find that you cannot. God can help you to cleanse your memory. Instead of remembering with malice and hurt, remember with forgiveness. Then go one step further and ask God to forgive your offender. When you forgive and ask God to also forgive your offender, you release God to bless you and the other person.
 

Pray in this manner:

Father, I acknowledge that I've held resentment and bitterness against __________________. I confess this as sin and ask you to forgive me. I forgive __________________. Remind me, Lord, to not hold any more resentments, but rather to love this person. Father, I ask you to also forgive __________________. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.
 

Read Search For Significance and Search For Freedom by Robert McGee and Victory Over The Darkness by Neil S. Anderson.

Additional ministry brochures are available upon request or via links:
FORGIVENESS, JUDGMENTAL/CRITICAL, RECONCILIATION, PRINCIPLE OF AGREEMENT, DEPRESSION/ DISCOURAGEMENT, and ENEMIES. You may contact the Crossroads Ministry Centre nearest you, or write to: The Crossroads Centre, P.O. Box 5100, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4M2.

Crossroads is happy to help. In fact, that's the whole reason we exist as a ministry. The daily "100 Huntley Street" telecast and the 24-hour-a-day telephone ministry lines are there for the same reason. You may want to call us as you are reading this.

God loves you and we love you! Please give us the privilege of doing our best to help more.