Bitterness is a Fuel

Many people drink coffee. It is a drink that by itself tastes very bitter. Yet, many people drink it with a creamer to change the flavor to something sweet. Another reason a lot of people drink coffee is because it fuels their energy and gets them through the day. Bitterness can do the exact same thing. Bitterness is like coffee; extremely bitter yet will fuel you in the wrong way. Keep in mind that I am not condemning coffee but rather using it as an analogy.

“The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy.” – Proverbs 14:10.

A person knows if they enjoy bitterness because of how it fuels them. But one who is a stranger to bitterness will not share that same pleasure. What does bitterness fuel though? Bitterness fuels strife, envy, arrogance, hate, jealousy, coveting, etc. When people find something to be bitter about, they are fueled by that bitterness to get what they want rather than what is right. This can be easily caused by offense or entitlement. It will lead a person down a dangerous road even to the point of sharing that bitterness and gossiping. Don’t have the heart that enjoys bitterness but be the stranger who won’t share its joy. Gossip is like offering that cup of bitter coffee to others for them to partake of too. Sometimes, people will even twist the story which is like the creamer in the coffee to make it appear sweet and delicious even though it's altered to fit the person’s bitterness.

“The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” – Proverbs 18:8.

These people who stir up conflict and cause gossip are like talebearers, they tale a real story and turn it into their own tale. If you do drink this bitter cup, it will go down into the inmost part of your body and that is your heart. Your heart is where the inmost parts of you remain. It is like throwing harmful worms into the soil of your heart which will kill the plants and fruits of your heart.

“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. (16) For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” – James 3:14, 16.

Don’t lie against the truth by twisting the truth. This will stir up confusion between the real story and the tale. James also mentions how every evil thing is there. Bitterness is the root that begins in the soil of your heart to bear the fruit of every evil thing. Just as bitterness fuels people, it also fuels the fire of strife.

“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.” – Proverbs 26:20-21.

This fire of strife are people who are fueled by bitterness. They destroy close friendships and potential relationships with others. They are ones you have to be very careful of because they aren’t trustworthy. They will always be seeking their own agenda and their own gain. Rather than being fueled by bitter coffee, they need to be fueled by living water so that they may seek love and God’s heart for people. God wants people to bless rather than curse for out of the same mouth can both blessings and cursing come from.

“Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” – James 3:11.

Don’t let it be so that from the same fountain of your mouth that bitter water comes from fresh water. If you got your water from a faucet, but some days came fresh water while others bitter, you wouldn’t really trust what kind of water you would be getting that day. So overall, bitterness will fuel you to live in strife. Bitterness and strife are not love for love is selflessness. Live in love putting others above your own agenda and self-gain. Don’t be one of those talebearers who twist stories to make them look like a good person. Be the spring of fresh and living water to everyone.