Introduction: Are you mad? Why? Have you been… “Bitten with Bitterness”? Warning. Once bitten, it gets infected. But Jesus has a remedy. Will you climb the mountain of forgiveness? Yes. There might be some struggles along the way, but there is extraordinary “FREEDOM” at the top! Go ahead and climb. 

1. When we get BITTEN with BITTERNESS it affects others around us! (Heb 12:15)

“15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”

The words “looking diligently” is ἐπισκοπέω,(ep-ee-skop-eh’-o), which means exercise oversight, care for, visit. Simply put it means be careful. Watch out. Did you notice we could “fail the grace of God”? That means we have a choice- embrace or release the debt; i.e. the pain or hurt caused. Also please note that “many can be defiled.”

The word “defiled” is μιαίνω: (me-ah’-ee-no), which means to stain, to pollute, to defile, to corrupt. That means that many will be polluted!

This being BITTEN with BITTERNESS not only affects us but others around us as well. Have you been bitten?

2. When we climb the mountain of FORGIVENESS it allows us to live in FREEDOM! (Eph 4:26,27,31,32)

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27Neither give place to the devil…… 31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Forgiveness is a choice. It is not a “feeling.” I love this text. It is liberating and relieving. Try it you’ll like it!

Considering the alternative, it’s the best option!!

Conclusion: The bottom line:

Jesus has set us FREE from being BITTEN with BITTERNESS. When He gave Himself for our sins by being whipped, ridiculed, beaten and ultimately crucified on a cross, He forgave. That in turn allows His Spirit to enable us to RELEASE the offense of others. By the way, this includes FREEDOM to FORGIVE ourselves!

So are you going to be “”BITTEN with BITTERNESS”? Or are you going to be “FREE with FORGIVENESS”?