Did you know that we who are saved are the apple of our Heavenly Father's eye?(the pupil or the daughter of the eye---it's the most valuable and guarded part of the eye---Psalm 17:8a). And may those who harm us fall into repentance at the feet of our Lord---For he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8b). Thus, causing harm to anyone is not taken lightly by our Lord. It is even stated, in the time of judgement that everything kept hidden will be revealed. No one can hide anything forever. God's judgement brings justice.
For many of us who are or have overcome abuse or a great tragedy in our lives, anger and bitterness can take root. The word "bitterness" is defined as distasteful or distressing to the mind, accompanied by severe pain or regret. Speaking out of my own personal experience, I was so angry and bitter inside that I hated just about everyone, and especially myself. And at the heart of the matter, I blamed God. Not realizing, that God had given to each person the freedom of choice of whom he would serve---either Him (Kingdom of God) or Satan (death and this world). Each one of us has a choice to make.
So what does the Bible have to say about anger and bitterness? But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth (Colossians 3:8). Take notice of what is linked with anger. Along with anger, come many sins. If we search our hearts, we know all these to be true. And what of bitterness? See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness, springing up causes trouble, and by it many defiled which means to make unclean or impure (Hebrews 12:15). By how we react to others we affect them. We can act bitter in our actions toward one another or become sweet. Like a worm who digs through an apple makes the apple inedible, so we can become rotten to the core.Let no unwholesome (rotten) word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification (teaching; lifting one another up) according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29). We are to develop the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control ( Galatians 5:22-23). Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances (Proverbs 25:11).
The Lord helps those of us who seek Him, even if we need our faith increased (Mark 9:24). For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world---our faith. To overcome this world, we need to build up our supply of faith. How do we do this? By meditating on the Word of God, speaking the Word on our lives, and through fasting and prayer (Matthew 17:21). Some sins are so ingrained in our lives that they have developed into strongholds of the Enemy; therefore, it may be necessary to fast inorder to be rid of them. And this is the confidence which we have before (toward) Him, that if we ask according to His will (aligning what we say/request with the Word of God), He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him (I John 5:14-15). We have already established that God desires us to be slow to anger and free of all bitterness. It's now up to us what choice we make.
In short, we are instructed to be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger; and do not give the devil an opportunity (a place) (Ephesians 4:26-27). When we allow our anger to fester overnight, it is easy for us to hold onto it until it has embittered us against just about everyone and everything. Inevitably, we sin (not only out of our actions but by our disobedience to God to relinquish our anger in the first place). We have a choice to make, asking ourselves the question, "What kind of apple do I want to be---bitter or sweet?" Yes, apple pies can be made by using tart apples; however, we should note that it takes a hefty dose of sugar to make a delicious apple pie. Some of us may say to ourselves, "I know I'm bitter, what do I do?" Each of us does what we discussed earlier---meditate and speak out the Word, fast, and pray. Like an apple corer, God can remove all anger and bitterness. It might not happen today or tomorrow, but it will happen! |
