While I was weeding the flower beds...

I couldn't help but think of the verse in Hebrews 12:15, "...lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled..."

"Bitterness is a characteristic of the ungodly, but should never characterize Christians."

Wow!

That called for a study! 

Romans 3:14

Ephesians 4:31-32

James 3:14-15

Hebrews 12

We hear the preachers preach.  We shake his hand as say "what a nice speech he gave".  We walk on out the door never to think of the truth again...till we look at someone else...and then we have all the answers...for them. 
We don't even take the truth and apply it to our lives.  We go on thinking we are doing fine.  A situation arises and causes hurt...and the seed has been planted.

I watched these maple tree seeds (helicopters) fly around last year.  We had fun playing with them in the front yard...standing on the top step to get as high as we could so the seeds would fall and twirl through the air.  The seeds land everywhere and anywhere.  If conditions are right...the seed can quickly take root in the rich soil.  Once the primary root shoot downs...growth comes quickly! 

The bigger these seedlings...the harder they were to pull.  I wrapped the stem around my hand and pulled hard...and then I saw the complex root system for that young plant.

What a mass of tangles that are actually beneficial to the plant!  Taking the nourishment from the soil to cause the plant to grow...someday...if left alone...into a sturdy maple tree. 

I am seeing how easily and quickly this can happen!  Satan is at work..."..lest any man fail of the grace of God;"  He is working diligently.  I feel that primary root trying hard to grab hold.

This isn't something new under the sun.  God knows!

Continue reading in Hebrews 12:16

"Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected:   for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."  **So many Christians are quick to defend Esau and rebuke Jacob, when God has done neither.  Esau was a profane fornicator, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever, caring nothing about the spiritual significance and responsibilities of the birthright, until he thought that its loss might diminish his inherited wealth.  Inspite of God's commandment in Genesis 25 and Jacob's merits, Isaac showed strong partiality to Esau, and for the most carnal of reasons.  Isaac loved the venison that Esau would bring home from hunting.  Isaac knew he was wrong, yet he went about his plans secretively. Genesis 26-27 Rebekah was so resolved that Isaac should not sin against God that she was willing to risk everything...possibly with tragic circumstances.  She knew that trifling with God's covenants and commandments was to be feared.  Jacob had to make the choice between obedience and truthfulness.  Jacob was not happy about having to deceive his father, but he had hope that his father would come to his senses and do right.  Isaac finally realized that God intervened in his choice...using his wife and son to stand up against his other son.  God said, "Jacob have I loved."  Romans 9:10-13  The rebuke was upon Esau.**

As I read the remainder of Romans 9, my heart was encouraged.  Man cannot prevent God's plan and purpose for our lives.  They may cause fear and hurt, but truth will always be honored.

Thank the Lord for His Word and the balm it is to a weary, hurting heart. 

"...And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us..."

Thank you, Lord, that You have saved me and set me aside for your service.  Thank you for the reassurance that You know me and call me by name.  Thank you making me...a lump of clay...fit for Your use.  Thank you for the vivid picture of what can happen when we allow bitterness to find a root in our heart. 

Please protect us, Lord, from bitterness!

**commentary**