“Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3:11
 

Joy and peace cannot live in the same heart as bitterness, unforgiveness, and resentment. When we are riffed with offenses and the unnecessary pain of bitterness, we become an allelopathy. Have you heard this term before?

Hebrews 12:15 says, “Make sure no bitter root grows to cause trouble and defile many.”  Bitterness and resentment cannot be contained; they defile or infect those around us without our consent.

Allelopathy occurs when certain plants release toxic chemicals into the soil, prohibiting other plants from growing around them; the Black Walnut tree is one example. Plants cannot grow around these trees; their toxic nature is a death barrier. Does it seem as if others want nothing to do with you? You may be emitting poisonous attitudes from a bitter heart. Ask The Lord to search your heart and show you if unforgiveness is hiding there.

We may deeply desire true joy and the peace that only The Lord can provide. Perhaps you have asked Him for these things many times and wonder why you still lack what you know is His will for you. You cannot host bitterness and peace simultaneously – they cannot coexist.

How do we resolve a bitter and resentful heart and attitude? Repent. Bitterness and resentment are nurtured offenses; they are unforgiveness as defiant teenagers in our souls. The Lord tells us to prefer, understand, give grace, and forgive, but we have chosen to hold on to unforgiveness, and now we not only have the original sin of unforgiveness, but it has grown into bitterness.

Bitterness isn’t cute; its endgame is death. Brother and sister in Christ, I urge you with all my heart to get any toxic substance of bitterness out of your heart and ask The Lord to forgive you - otherwise, it will be the end of you. You cannot coexist with any sin and grow into the awesome and powerful believer The Lord has destined you to become.  When bitterness is gone, both you and those around you will thrive.