Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;
Bitterness is a blight on the Body of Christ - The Church of the Living God. In this small verse the writer of Hebrews gives us insight into what causes the root of bitterness. It happens when we fall short of God's grace. But, what does that mean? We get grace as a gift of God and we find grace through faith. So, if we fall "short" of the grace of God, it is because we quit expressing our "faith" in Him and turn, rather, to the flesh. In Acts 8 we studied Simeon, who had a "root of bitterness" spring up because he wanted the power of the Spirit for fleshly reasons. He didn't act in faith, he acted in the flesh. In our passage here the writer goes on to explain how Essau became bitter because he sold his birthright when his flesh was hungry and wanted a pot of stew more than a blessing from God. Bitterness comes into our lives when we fail to have faith in God's perfect will for us and believe in God's perfect care. But, note what the above verse also says: "... and by it many be defiled." It is not that a root of bitterness is so bad for the individual, and it is. But, that it is contagious. Those who are bitter also defile the whole batter. You can't fall short of grace through absent faith and not affect the entire family. God is wanting us to believe in Him and trust Him and thereby receive His grace. And, it is only by the grace of God that we avoid becoming bitter.
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