Bitterness Brings a Poisonous Outcome by Brother Duke Hansen

         Good morning. We are going to be reading from the book of Ephesians chapter 4, beginning with verse 17. This chapter is about exhortation, unity and the new man. Our message is going to be focused on morality this morning.

        17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.

        If you lean upon your understanding you fall into your own destruction. Knowledge does come from the Lord but can from other sources.

        18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

        Everyone wants to like the Israelites of the old testament where in they often would worship both Ba'al and still go to the temple on the sabbath. Our flesh keeps us blind and ignorant from the full truth.

        19 Who being past feeling, have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

        20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

        21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

        You can be taught things that overtake your natural mindset of, "I think or I feel," yet it is in the doing, the execution of overcoming your natural mindset. Many of us are in different states of spiritual bondage. All of us are going to change as we go through life. You may think you are the same as you were a year ago, or even a few months ago. I have to say you are not.

        22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.

        There are rules that God established which we can defy. Man is predispositioned to work around the rules and the limitations established.

        23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind:

        Ask yourself a silly question is if you think your way is always right, you are who this message is for this morning.

        24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

        25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

        26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

        Yes, you will get angry and mad, the point is to not to sin. Keep your mouth shut and not go out of your way to attempt a confrontation or reconciliation. Be quick to forgive at night.

        27 Neither give place to the devil.

        God has a hatred of his children tearing down one another in his sanctuary. It's one thing for it to happen in the world but another for it to happen in church.

        28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

        29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

        30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

        Your mouth grieves the spirit of God. The main point of this message lies ahead. A bitter situation has a poisonous outcome. Are we talking about a person that's bitter? Or is it the situation? The term malice means intent to harm.

        31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice;

        We all encounter and wrestle with bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking. You are not always aware you're dealing with these things. Have you had any resentment? It isn't just limited to people or jobs. Resentment can be a root that digs deep into your person that is hard to keep clear of in your life. Having substance and wealth doesn't define your character as good.

        What is the definition of a poisonous outcome? Most of us need to figure out how does God work on me? You have to understand. You need to see your own demise. Some of us can be pain, health, it could be about your kids. You need to seek out what the source of your problem is in life. Thinking process and position of a job. Get rid of your bitterness. Justifying our sinful behavior, self-righteousness. There are many people who are right in what they say and wrong in what they do. When we are in the weeds of these things, we miss the will of God. God doesn't want you exempt from suffering. Suffering brings you closer to God in your relationship. You can't cripple your way through life waiting for good to happen. You have to make some good happen in the world.

        Bitterness grows in corners of you which are hidden. This message is put together for you ro step back and examine yourself and see if there are any roots. Right now, just pray for you. Pray on who you are and what you are with God. It's righteous to suffer wrongly for the brethren and not the world. Another righteous principal is to lose is to gain. If you are willing to put down and lose worldly endeavors, you gain in righteousness. Don't be ignorant about the truth, but don't deny it. You can ignore the truth and fall more into darkness. The things of God are a learned behavior. Why are you mad when someone lies or steals? If you accept conviction toy will save yourself form the pit. We need to forgive and allow.

        The key to all this is identification. If you can't see it you cannot define it. You will either go closer to the light or settle in darkness. Conviction is necessary. 

        If you get time this week, read and study Hebrews 12.