With so much acrimony and bitterness with its resultant effects all over the world; particularly in Nigeria, I found this article by Poju Oyemade very instructive and timely.

Read on…

Don’t allow bitterness contaminate your spirit. Take heed to what you hear. Don’t get defiled by bitter waters in another. Bitterness is very dangerous, particularly in leaders who minister to groups. I have sat under men who were bitter everything just withers in your life.

Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Revelation 8:11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Bitterness is the root cause for a lot of the ailments in the world.

Exodus 15:23-26 (KJV)
“And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

We all face tests and contradictions. Those who refuse to be bitter, do it in obedience to the commandment of God. They asked God for wisdom, God instructed them. Through their obedience, they comprehend the true wisdom of God that will bring the necessary change rather than just polluting others in anger.

Sometimes we will not be able to reverse the effect of the words others hear us speak as ministers. Those words may stay in their consciousness for years depriving them of opportunities God gives them. We may repent later in secret but they will live under the influence of our words for years not even knowing the changes we have made.

Finally, true worship is no longer possible when one has allowed the vehicle through which worship is offered to become defiled.

James 3:8-12 (KJV)
“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”

By Poju Oyemade