Have you ever heard the expression, “you’ve got your nose out of joint”? When you’ve got your nose out of joint, it means that you’ve been offended by someone.
When offense takes root, it can easily turn into bitterness, which can turn into hurt, resentment, anger, and vengeance—all sins that can literally stop God’s miracles from coming to us.
Acts 8:14-24 NLT tells of Simon, a sorcerer in Samaria, who had witnessed believers receiving the Holy Spirit when John and Peter laid their hands on them. Simon wanted to have that same healing power—not to heal the sick, but because the power would bring him fame and put him in high standing with other religious leaders. He even offered money to “buy” the power.
Peter replied, “May your money perish with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right before God. Turn from your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitterness and held captive by sin” (vv. 20-23 NLT).
Bitterness is one of the most poisonous, toxic attitudes you can ever experience. Harboring bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person–the one you’re upset with–to die! It is a devastating “attitude sin” that can trigger a wide range of other sins, including hatred, cruelty, self-pity, revenge, prideful ambitions, and critical attitudes.
Something happened to me 20 years ago that showed me that you can’t hold bitterness in your heart without it not only hurting you, but spilling over into the lives of others.
On January 17, 1984, I gave birth to our firstborn—a son, Richard Oral. He lived only 36 hours.
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