Science confirms what Scripture has always taught: bitterness hurts you more than it hurts the person you’re bitter against. Bitterness and malice are offshoots of unforgiveness. Some say, “I will never forgive so-and-so for what he did to me.” Others put a twist on it, saying, “I have forgiven him, but I don’t think I can ever forget.” As a child of God, you should act like your Heavenly Father, who never recalls offences.
Malice and bitterness will take the shine out of your life. If you want the beauty of God to be seen in your life, then refuse to keep malice or be bitter. The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:20 said, “Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.” Babies don’t know how to be bitter or keep malice. They’re too innocent for that; they don’t have enough sense to regard or recognise any wrong done to them.
That’s what the Spirit of God is telling you here: be as a baby! Don’t regard the wrongs done to you by others to the extent that you become bitter. Harbouring bitterness or malice in your heart short-circuits the power of God in your life, making you unable to function with the Spirit. Don’t open the door to Satan in your life through bitterness and malice; put them away completely. If you’ve held anything against anyone, it’s time to sincerely forgive them and show them the love of the Father.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for filling my heart with your love, kindness, and compassion. I declare that malice and bitterness have no place in me. Right now, I choose to forgive all those who may have wronged me; I overlook their shortcomings and choose to love them as you’ve loved me. Thank you for helping me function by the principle of love, where I bear no records of the wrongs done to me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
