SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1088

“Be Reconciled”

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. – Matthew 5:23-24

It has been said that harboring bitterness and unforgiveness is like a cup of poison that we drink hoping to inflict hurt on someone else. Scriptures testify to the truth of this maxim.

When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; – Exodus 15:23 In the Hebrew culture a poisonous plant was called ‘bitter’. The waters of the oasis at Marah were bitter (poisonous) and useless.

Now, those who profess to be Christian are to be salt and light in this dark and evil world. They are to be sources of ‘Living Water’. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. – John 7:38; Proverbs 4:23

Therefore, how can a Christian harbor bitterness and unforgiveness in their heart and be able to fulfill their calling as a servant of Christ? Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?– James 3:11

When we harbor unforgiveness we are living according to the law of sin and death and not allowing the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to transform our hardened heart. …Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, –  Deuteronomy 29:18b

Sowing seeds of the flesh (bitterness, unforgiveness) will reap corruption (destruction and decay). Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.– Galatians 6:7-8

Is keeping your pet demon of bitterness and unforgiveness worth the price of the Father’s forgiveness of your sins? but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:15

Be reconciled while you have the chance. Esau ran and embraced Jacob. (Genesis 33:4) The father ran and embraced his prodigal son. (Luke 15:20)

Perhaps you have been hurt by loved ones or by a friend. Perhaps they are continually being hateful and hurtful to you. The temptation is to harden your heart and become bitter toward them. Resist the temptation in the Name of Jesus. Pray for those who hurt you and let the Holy Spirit’s refining fire move on their hearts. The battle belongs to the Lord. Just as God healed the waters at Marah, He can heal your relationships. Trust in Him.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger…be put away from you, along with all malice. Put on then…compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:12-13