Wisdom vs. Bitterness

Heb. 12:15 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;

“Root” Gk. ridzo. like the root of a tree - something established and firmly fixed - so much so that it now determines the whole tree. When we have roots of bitterness in our lives, it affects every part of our being - our whole character is polluted. We were made for fruitfulness, but bitterness withers the soul. 

“Bitterness” Gk. pikria an inward attitude that produces a scowl on the face.

Inwardly infected by attitude

Outwardly affected by appearance

We are told to “look diligently” for this bitterness. It is interesting to me that James teaches us that bitterness comes out of our hearts and through our mouths (tongue)

Jas. 3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Bitterness causes 6 things in us (6 is the number of man – worldliness):

- It causes us to boast and lie against the truth

- It causes us to live earthly worldly lives

- It causes us to be sensual

- It causes us to be demonic

- It causes us to be confused

- It causes us to  be consumed by every evil thing

James gives us a magnificent call to wisdom – if we want to be known as wise, we have to run after these 7 things (7 is the number for perfection). If we obtain these 7 things we will end up with wisdom instead of bitterness:

7 attributes to go after instead of bitterness:

Pure (holy) – Wisdom begins with holiness

Peaceable (peace loving) – Wisdom grows through living in peace with others

Gentle – (at all times; considerate; courteous) Wisdom is strengthened through gentleness

Humble – willing to yield (readily giving way in an argument; submissive; not self-willed) Wisdom is increased through humility

full of mercy – (compassion) and good fruits (kind actions; good deeds) Wisdom is perfected through mercy and good fruit

Impartial –  (free from favoritism) Wisdom is improved when it is available to all

Without hypocrisy – (sincere) Wisdom is comprehended in sincere hearts

We need to actively work at these – not passively agree to them. Once again, we have work to do to militate against bitterness and all of its evil fruit.

Father - give us grace to turn away from all bitterness today