Bible Texts: Eph.4:30-31, Col.3:19, Rev.12:10, Ps.51:10, Rom.10:10, Matt.5:14-16, Matt.6:9-13, Rom.5:5, Rom.12:21, Heb.12:1-2, 1Jn.5:17
Bitterness opens the door to all kinds of evil such as sickness, disease, joylessness, unforgiveness, jealousy, revenge, hatred and so much more. On the other hand the love of Christ shed abroad in the heart opens the door to all kinds of goodness like joy, forgiveness and mercy, compassion, goodwill, giving, sacrifice and so much more. So just as love is a very powerful force, so is bitterness and that is what the Person of the Holy Spirit wants to teach you and I today to the end that we grow unto maturity and become the good and godly husbandman.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (Eph.4:30-31)
Whenever I read or listen to husbandmen who are having challenges with their sheep, I observe that bitterness is the cause. The husbandman is bitter against his wife and this affects his relationship with his wife and children, negatively. It kills the joy he has for them slowly. Let me make this clear to you. You cannot be bitter with your wife and children and be better as the godly man, husband and father (1Jn.5:17). You cannot speak evil against your wife and children and be seen to be righteous before God. You cannot hold malice against your wife and children and think you can grow a healthy sheep and sheepfold. These are some of the risks of holding bitterness against your wife and children.
Bitterness hinders your capacity to grow unto maturity. It beclouds your ability to judge rightly. It shuts down the flow of inspiration. It drains you of your spiritual energy and it is a burden. Do you think it is worth the trouble being bitter towards your wife and children? The Scripture describes bitterness as a sin.
But how do I overcome the power and force of bitterness as the godly husbandman?
Firstly, you must recognize and understand that bitterness is sin and God hates it. Secondly, you must fight every suggestion and influence of bitterness, using the spiritual forces of prayers and fasting and confessions of the word of God (Rom.10:10). Thirdly, you must contend using the blood of Jesus Christ as a weapon of warfare (Rev.12:10-11). You can and will always win by the prevailing power in the blood of Jesus Christ. And lastly engage the help of the Holy Spirit to recreate a clean heart and a right spirit within you (Ps.51:10). Until your heart is filled with the right virtues of Christ’s love, your response to your wife and children will be wrong. It takes a right heart and spirit to act like the godly husbandman.
Now what are the blessings you enjoy when you overcome bitterness and walk in the love of Christ?
You enjoy unhindered blessings from the Lord. You also enjoy unhindered answer to your prayers (1Pet.3:7).
God wants you to overcome bitterness with the force of the love of Christ because it is a proof that you are the perfect example of the good and godly husbandman after the manner and pattern of Jesus Christ.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, deliver me from the spirit of bitterness.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, deliver me from every form of filthiness and unforgiveness.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, sanctify my spirit, soul and body with the power of Your love.
FAITH CONFESSION
I overcome the force of bitterness with the power of the love of God through Christ Jesus because that is what makes me the good and godly husbandman in Jesus name. Amen.
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Jesus Christ is Lord over all.
Bro. Ebenezer O. Igure
Head of Mission
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