Remove Roots of Bitterness So You Can Flourish in Peace

    Last week we looked at Hebrews 12:14. We learned that in order to flourish in peace we must not compromise our holiness by calling wrong right for the sake of peace. This week, I would like to look at the verse that follows:

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully 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 NKJV)

    Defiled is the opposite of holy. We don’t want defiled to describe ourselves or others. Defiled means we’ve chosen our ways over God’s ways; holiness was not sought for and therefore not obtained (consider Proverbs 14:12, 14, and 16). When we realize our situation we can either humbly repent or we can allow roots of bitterness to spring up, take root, and cause serious trouble.

    What is a root of bitterness?  This term is mentioned in Deuteronomy 29:18-19, when God commanded the Israelites to get rid of their foreign idols. I think it is worthwhile to put those verses in front of us.

“ …and you saw their abominations and their idols which were among them—wood and stone and silver and gold); so that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood; and so it may not happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart’—as though the drunkard could be included with the sober.” (Deuteronomy 29:17-19 NKJV)

    A root of bitterness can crop up when we become resentful of being told what to do, what we have to change about ourselves, and/or what we have to give up.

    Have you experienced a root of bitterness yourself? I have! Usually, these roots first test the soil of our hearts when we are young and become resentful of our parents telling us “no” all the time.  And when they aren’t saying no, they’re telling us to ‘clean your room,’ ‘take out the garbage,’ and ‘lose that attitude!’ In our childish minds we may have even grown bitter and angry, plotting and planning parental avoidance methods, so as to bypass hearing their endless rules; and it made life miserable for everyone involved.

    When this same resistance transfers to God and His commands, we not only continue to make life harder for ourselves, but we also are endangering our souls and those around us (think on Matthew 18:6-9, Luke 17:1-2, Romans 14:13). We, like the mistaken Israelites, may say in our heart, ‘I don’t have to give that up, I can still have peace’ or ‘I don’t need to do EVERYTHING God says; His words are more suggestions for good behaviour than actual commands! I’m fine, I can just do what suits me! As long as I’m a good person and God loves me! It’s all good!’

    We cannot follow the dictates of our own heart and claim peace for ourselves. We cannot disregard God and think we will be counted among the righteous (1 John 3:4-10).

“Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin.”” (Isaiah 30:1 NKJV) 

    True peace only comes from God. His ways are constant – they do not/will not become obsolete or outdated – they are consistent in their benefit and their wisdom! God tells us that if we want to have a good life and a peaceable life, we need to depart from evil and do good, we need to seek peace and chase after it diligently, we need to tirelessly pursue it (Psalm 34:11-15, 1 Peter 3:10-12)! We must do all that is necessary on our part to always come back to a place of peace with God first, and then live at peace with others around us (Romans 12:18).

    Are you ready to deny self, take up the cross and follow Jesus in obedience to all God has commanded (Matthew 16:24-26) for your own sake and for the sake of others around you? It is an essential part needed to flourish in peace! God’s ways are a perpetual benefit! His commands are abounding with wisdom! Turn away from your own notions of what you think is good, let God’s words guide you towards true peace!

You can do it! So can I!!