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THE POISON OF BITTERNESS
Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at
Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the
word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for
them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16
For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They
had only been baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they
received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw
that through the laying on of the apostles' hands
the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them
money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that
anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the
Holy Spirit."
20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish
with you, because you thought that the gift of
God could be purchased with money! 21 "You
have neither part nor portion in this matter, for
your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22
"Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and
pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart
may be forgiven you. 23 "For I see that you are
poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
24 Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the
Lord for me, that none of the things which you
have spoken may come upon me."
Bitterness:
1. It can refer to plants that produce inedible or
poisonous fruit.
2. It can refer to the emotional state of a person
who shows animosity, anger, envy, resent, or
jealousy.
James 3:13 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.
Proverbs 13:10 By pride comes nothing but strife
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through
selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own
interests, but also for the interests of others. 5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus,
Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones.
Numbers 11:26 But two men had remained in the
camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of
the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them.
Now they were among those listed, but who had not
gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in
the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses,
and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the
camp." 28 So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses'
assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said,
"Moses my lord, forbid them!" 29 Then Moses said to
him, "Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the
LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD
would put His Spirit upon them!" 30 And Moses
returned to the camp, both he and the elders of
Israel.
James 3:16 For where envy and self-seeking
exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days
perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers
of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers,
without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure
rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of
godliness but denying its power. And from such
people turn away!
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and
holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
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;
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in
obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere
love of the brethren, love one another fervently
with a pure heart, 23 having been born again,
not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through
the word of God which lives and abides forever,
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you,
with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God
in Christ forgave you.