Bitter Roots

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

Hebrews 12:15

Dear Friends,

We are reminded in the book of Hebrews that bitterness is a root. Now, where do you find roots? Underground of course. I’ve never seen roots up in the air like branches. Bitter (bad) roots are beneath the surface of the soil, secretly drawing away nutrients and moisture needed to help healthy plants grow.

God likened our spiritual life to soil and suggested that at times, we have a root of bitterness that is just below the surface, unseen, sucking and siphoning off all the good nutrients that could go towards good plants. When we allow a root of bitterness to take place in our heart, maybe it’s an offense, impatience or discontentment then nothing good will grow.

Friend, let’s use the plow of repentance to dig out any bitter roots. As the Old Testament prophet Hosea proclaimed, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12). Let each of us cleanse our hearts from worldly values and secret sins and prepare to receive the bible – God’s word, as the ground that is plowed up to receive the good seed, that it may take root.

No Roots of Bitterness,

Dr. Tim Pollock, Senior Pastor