We are instructed to live at peace with all men – those are not my words, those are the words of Scripture.  The writer of Hebrews said, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Failure to live in peace with others often produces hostility and resentment in our lives.  There are three primary truths when it comes to the subject of bitterness:

1. Everyone has been hurt by someone.

2. If not guarded, that hurt turns into bitterness.

3. If not confronted, that bitterness hinders our relationship with God.

     Author John Courson said of bitterness, “It is like taking a bottle of poison, swallowing it, and waiting for the other person to die.”  Bitterness hurts me, not the person I am bitter with.  As a root, bitterness gets covered up with smiles, laughs, and cordial exchanges; but the problem is that the root produces fruit, and the fruit of bitterness ultimately affects my relationship with the Lord.  Remove bitterness at its source, and enjoy the liberty and freedom of not only being forgiven, but forgiving others.