Dealing With the Stink of Bitterness!

Before doing this study, please read the 1-minute introduction Sin Looks Attractive But It Stinks. It talks about Rafflesia, a colorful parasite that stinks like rotting flesh. And it compares this flower-like growth to bitterness.

If you dealing with bitterness, I encourage you to memorize one or all of the passages below. Better yet, memorize them before you face a situation that could cause bitterness. 

There is something healing about memorizing Scripture during difficult times. It truly changes us. I encourage you to read the study "I Can't Change."  

If you've never recited Scripture to deal with a particular sin problem or difficulty, I encourage you to "experiment" -- give it a try. If you do it faithfully and seriously, I believe it will change your heart.

1. Romans 12:19-21: Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

See Romans 12:14-21 - A Crazy Idea! which talks about the message of Romans 12, a message that contradicts our natural human desires. 

2. 1 Peter 3:9: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

God will settle accounts if someone refuses to repent. It may not happen until the judgment, but it will happen. See Galatians 6:7-9 and A Common Misunderstanding About Consequences which clarifies the meaning of reaping what we sow. 

3. Luke 6:28-30: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.'

We are called to walk in the opposite spirit of evil. If we treat unkind people as they treat us, we give Satan the victory. See The Freedom of Loving Your Enemies which tells a true story from the Iraqi war. 

4. Hebrews 12:14-15: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

 

See Blessed Are the Peacemakers.

Dealing with bitterness is one of the most difficult things we do as Christians. And it is also one of the most important. Bitterness can completely derail our faith if we are not careful. 

copyright 2026, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com 

image of Rafflesia: wiki Commons