5799 bitterness

A feeling of anger and resentment, caused particularly by perceived unfairness in suffering or by adverse circumstances.

The causes of bitterness

Adverse personal circumstances Job 10:1 See also Ge 27:34; Ru 1:20 “Mara” means “bitter”; 1Sa 30:6; 2Sa 13:36; 2Ki 4:27; Ps 55:4-14; Pr 17:25; Jer 6:26

External circumstances Eze 3:14 Because of the exiles’hardness of heart. See also Job 21:25; Job 27:2; La 3:1-20; Eze 21:6

Human failure Mt 26:75 pp Lk 22:61-62 See also Ezr 10:1; Jer 2:19; Jer 4:18; La 1:4

Bitterness is evidence of a sinful heart

Ac 8:23 See also Ro 3:10-18

Bitterness is to be avoided

Heb 12:15 See also Eph 4:31; Jas 3:14

The remedy for bitterness

Forgiveness Ge 33:1-11; Lk 15:25-32; Eph 4:31-32

The causes of bitterness will pass away Ps 37:1-2

Examples of bitterness in people’s lives

See also