BITTERNESS: ARE YOU A PRISONER OF WAR? (4 OF 8)
by Rick White
Scripture: EPHESIANS 4:31-32, HEBREWS 12:15, MATTHEW 18:21-35
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Bitterness: Are You a Prisoner of War? (4 of 8)
Rick White
Matthew 18:21-35, Ephesians 4:31-32, Hebrews 12:15
January 31, 1993 am
Read Matthew 18:21-22 / Ephesians 4:31-21 / Hebrews 12:15
Introduction: The official name for the site is the Isle of the Pelicans, but nobody knows it by that name. It is known as Alcatraz, one of the most escape- proof prisons in the world. From 1933 to 1963 it served as a federal prison, and during that time 26 prisoners tried to escape but only five succeeded. Surrounded by the cold waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz boasted high walls, double-lock doors, machine guns in the hands of the guards, and a staff that could not be bribed. Alcatraz is now a tourist attraction, but some tourists have admitted they do not find the Big House too attractive.
The world's worst prison, however, is not Alcatraz or Devil's Island, for those places can only confine the body. The prison Jesus talked about in this parable shackles the inner man and sad to say, we put ourselves into this prison. It is the dungeon of an unforgiving spirit.
Bitterness is profound grief accompanied by suppressed hostility toward seemingly unbearable circumstances. It is a corrosive culprit that denies our peace and destroys our relationships.
WHAT CAUSES BITTERNESS ?
• Unresolved Anger due to personal hurt of injury.
• Sadness and loneliness which have their roots in isolation and separation. This is under girded by alienation, Thoughts turn into an obsession. When these lingering feelings continue unabated they indicate unsuccessful grieving. The reality of sin dictates that failures and losses of relationships will occur.
• Lack of personal control in life leads to a feeling of futility.
• Damaged self-esteem may lead us to bitterness through extremes of self-worship or self- degradation.
EFFECTS OF BITTERNESS
• Physical Illness. Bitterness is not simply an event or occasion, rather is a lifestyle. Multiple physical problems such as gla ...
Rick White
Matthew 18:21-35, Ephesians 4:31-32, Hebrews 12:15
January 31, 1993 am
Read Matthew 18:21-22 / Ephesians 4:31-21 / Hebrews 12:15
Introduction: The official name for the site is the Isle of the Pelicans, but nobody knows it by that name. It is known as Alcatraz, one of the most escape- proof prisons in the world. From 1933 to 1963 it served as a federal prison, and during that time 26 prisoners tried to escape but only five succeeded. Surrounded by the cold waters of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz boasted high walls, double-lock doors, machine guns in the hands of the guards, and a staff that could not be bribed. Alcatraz is now a tourist attraction, but some tourists have admitted they do not find the Big House too attractive.
The world's worst prison, however, is not Alcatraz or Devil's Island, for those places can only confine the body. The prison Jesus talked about in this parable shackles the inner man and sad to say, we put ourselves into this prison. It is the dungeon of an unforgiving spirit.
Bitterness is profound grief accompanied by suppressed hostility toward seemingly unbearable circumstances. It is a corrosive culprit that denies our peace and destroys our relationships.
WHAT CAUSES BITTERNESS ?
• Unresolved Anger due to personal hurt of injury.
• Sadness and loneliness which have their roots in isolation and separation. This is under girded by alienation, Thoughts turn into an obsession. When these lingering feelings continue unabated they indicate unsuccessful grieving. The reality of sin dictates that failures and losses of relationships will occur.
• Lack of personal control in life leads to a feeling of futility.
• Damaged self-esteem may lead us to bitterness through extremes of self-worship or self- degradation.
EFFECTS OF BITTERNESS
• Physical Illness. Bitterness is not simply an event or occasion, rather is a lifestyle. Multiple physical problems such as gla ...
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