Bitterness is one of the subtlest, yet most damaging, sins in a human being’s life. Its subtlety lies in the fact that its motives seem justifiable when they arise from physical, verbal, or emotional aggression. Bitterness not only marks people physically and in their behavior—it hardens the face and venom drips from their speech—but worst of all, it spreads to others.
In the Bible the word bitterness is translated in many ways: poison, wormwood, gall, venom, etc. Now, the one that caught my attention most is the translation whose root comes from the verb to prick, to cut, to be so harsh that it wounds (pikraino), and as an adjective (pikros), which means sharpened, keen, aggressive. The psalmist said: “My soul was filled with bitterness, And in my heart I felt sharp pangs” (Psalms 73:21). Metaphorically it is used of jealousy, to illustrate a condition of extreme wickedness; it is also slander, infamy, hatred, something that produces bitter fruit and deep pain.
Such as bitterness is, so are its consequences: disastrous, for it clouds the mind and the spirit and dulls us to the point that we do not understand. With bitterness we contaminate others, for we drip venom when we speak, which sickens those around us. Likewise, it blinds us so that we shift the blame, and we even go to the extreme of blaming God and moving away from Him, because we do not want to forgive or be healed. In the same way, it gives way to feelings as harmful as rancor and resentment; and finally it brings loneliness, ulcers, and depression.
There are those who try their own means to heal themselves of bitterness. For some, the solution is to take revenge, to do their own justice. Others try to excuse themselves for feeling this way and begin by denying that it is a sin and justify themselves by saying it is not their fault but that of the one who caused it. However, in God there is indeed healing for bitterness, and it is this: First, to accept that it is a sin against God, because we are worshiping our “self”; second, to forgive the one who offended us and to forget; and third, to watch that this feeling does not nest again in us or in others. Let us overcome evil with good.
Proverbs 14:10
“The heart knows the bitterness of its own soul”
Acts 8:23
“… for I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of wickedness”
Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness, anger, wrath, shouting, and slander be put away from you, along with all malice”
Hebrews 12:15
“Look diligently, lest anyone fail to obtain the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by it many be defiled”
