Dangers to the pure heart - 5

It is imperative that we maintain a pure heart (Prov. 4:23, 3:5-6)

BUT, there are dangers to keeping the heart pure.

In this lesson we will discuss some of these dangers

Dangers Lust - Sensuality Lust – Covetousness and Pride Ignorance & Unbelief Busyness & clutter Bitterness The tongue

BitternessBitter – “having a strong and

often unpleasant flavor that is the opposite of sweet.”

Painful emotions, anger & resentful feelings.

The two are related – Isa. 5:20, Rev. 10:10, Jas. 3:11

Bitterness πικρία, (pikria) – a heart that is

resentful and ill-willed. From a word meaning a sharp point. A state of sharp, intense resentment or hate” (Louw & Nida, 88.201)

Bitterness anger, resentment, envy, hatred,

malice, spite, harshness, etc.

Bitterness When bitterness is harbored

there WILL be problems: Damaged relationships –

physical and spiritual. Physical damage – actions out

of hate Division in the church and

among brethren

Bitterness Problems: Personal damage – stress,

depression, lack of joy, obsessions, abusive behaviors, hatred, cynicism, refusal to forgive

Prejudice in judgment

Bitterness Problems: Strained relationship with

God! It WILL keep you out of heaven!

Bitterness directed TOWARD God!

It will POISON the heart!

Bitterness

•Ephesians 4:31–32, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Bitterness•James 3:14-16, “But if you

have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

Bitterness

•Titus 3:3, “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.”You cannot use the past to justify present ungodly behavior!

Bitterness•Heb. 12:14-15, “Pursue peace

with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 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;” Like Esau, 12:16-17, Gen. 27:36

Bitterness

•Acts 8:23, “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

•Col. 3:19, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.”

Bitterness•Prov. 26:24-26, “He who

hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.”

Bitterness

•Lev. 19:17, “You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.”

Bitterness

•Eph. 4:26-27, “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”

Bitterness Dealing with bitterness!

The answer is LOVE!

BitternessWe HAVE TO love one another! •1 John 4:20-21, “If someone

says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”

BitternessWe HAVE TO love one another! •John 13:35, “By this all will know

that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

•1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

Bitterness When there are problems, we

MUST act like brethren! •Matt. 18:15-17, IF he sins

against you, go tell him

•Gal. 6:1, Jas. 5:19-20

Bitterness When there are problems, we

MUST act like brethren! •Matt. 5:21-26, IF you sin

against your brother!

• If you have been wronged – LET it go! Rom. 12:17-21

Bitterness Admit it! IF you are struggling,

admit it!• Bitterness WILL jeopardize your soul! Jas. 1:19-20, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Bitterness Learn to forgive! A MUST!• Matt. 6:14-15, “For if you

forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Bitterness Learn to forgive! A MUST!• Matt. 18:22, 23-35, “…So

My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”•James 2:13, Col. 3:13

BitternessSeek forgiveness! If guilty, REPENT! This

comes AFTER you forgive your brother!Matt. 6:15

“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever

walks wisely will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

Is bitterness threatening your place before God and

your brethren?