1. Dangers to the pure heart - 5

2. It is imperative that we maintain a pure heart (Prov. 4:23, 3:5-6)
BUT, there are dangers to keeping the heart pure.
In this lesson we will discuss some of these dangers

3. Dangers Lust - Sensuality Lust – Covetousness and Pride
Ignorance & Unbelief
Busyness & clutter
Bitterness
The tongue

4. Bitterness
Bitter – “having a strong and often unpleasant flavor that is the opposite of sweet.”
Painful emotions, anger & resentful feelings.
The two are related – Isa. 5:20, Rev. 10:10, Jas. 3:11

5. Bitterness
πικρία, (pikria) – a heart that is resentful and ill-willed. From a word meaning a sharp point. A state of sharp, intense resentment or hate” (Louw & Nida, )

6. Bitterness
anger, resentment, envy, hatred, malice, spite, harshness, etc.

7. Bitterness When bitterness is harbored there WILL be problems:
Damaged relationships – physical and spiritual.
Physical damage – actions out of hate
Division in the church and among brethren

8. Bitterness
Problems:
Personal damage – stress, depression, lack of joy, obsessions, abusive behaviors, hatred, cynicism, refusal to forgive
Prejudice in judgment

9. Bitterness
Problems:
Strained relationship with God! It WILL keep you out of heaven!
Bitterness directed TOWARD God!
It will POISON the heart!

10. Bitterness
Ephesians 4:31–32, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

11. Bitterness
James 3:14-16, “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

12. Bitterness
Titus 3:3, “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” You cannot use the past to justify present ungodly behavior!

13. Bitterness
Heb. 12:14-15, “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;” Like Esau, 12:16-17, Gen. 27:36

14. Bitterness
Acts 8:23, “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
Col. 3:19, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.”

15. Bitterness
Prov. 26:24-26, “He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.”

16. Bitterness
Lev. 19:17, “You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.”

17. Bitterness
Eph. 4:26-27, “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”

18. Bitterness
Dealing with bitterness!
The answer is LOVE!

19. Bitterness
We HAVE TO love one another!
1 John 4:20-21, “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”

20. Bitterness
We HAVE TO love one another!
John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

21. Bitterness When there are problems, we MUST act like brethren!
Matt. 18:15-17, IF he sins against you, go tell him
Gal. 6:1, Jas. 5:19-20

22. Bitterness When there are problems, we MUST act like brethren!
Matt. 5:21-26, IF you sin against your brother!
If you have been wronged – LET it go! Rom. 12:17-21

23. Bitterness Admit it! IF you are struggling, admit it!
Bitterness WILL jeopardize your soul! Jas. 1:19-20, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

24. Bitterness Learn to forgive! A MUST!
Matt. 6:14-15, “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.”

25. Bitterness Learn to forgive! A MUST!
Matt. 18:22, 23-35, “…So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
James 2:13, Col. 3:13

26. Bitterness Seek forgiveness!
If guilty, REPENT! This comes AFTER you forgive your brother! Matt. 6:15

27. Is bitterness threatening your place before God and your brethren?
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26
Is bitterness threatening your place before God and your brethren?