Today, a friend and I were talking about someone who had been going through a really rough time. My friend remarked how they have sought breakthrough for years but not experienced it. My friend made a statement that captured my attention.
“Could it be they won’t receive breakthrough because of the roots that are holding them back?”
My thoughts immediately went to Hebrews 12:15.
Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
The Amplified Bible says it like this: Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it.
The word bitterness is defined as extreme bitterness and poison. Poison. Think about that for a moment. If you choose to remain bitter at someone, you are putting poison in your own body. You are not hurting them – you are hurting yourself.
Ephesians 3:17 tells us we must be rooted in ONE thing. Love.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.
If our roots are not grounded in love – we become defiled. Are your roots grounded in love today?
Stop, take a moment, and check your heart. Is there anyone or anything you are bitter about? Is there anyone or anything you have refused to forgive and forget? Remember, when God forgives our sin, He casts it far from us – never to be remembered again. Can you say the same thing?
I am human. People have hurt me. Deeply. However, not one of those hurts are worth missing the breakthrough God has for me. Not one of those hurts are worth having something between God and I. Not one of them are worth missing all God has for me. It is my heart to please God and to walk as Jesus walked. To do that, I must walk in love. I have no other option.
And when I am hurt, I must forgive and release them. I must cast that hurt as far as the east is from the west and refuse to meditate on it. Sure, there have been people in my life that have been harder to forgive – but nothing is impossible with God.
Back to the story my friend and I were talking about. This friend shared with me how this person who was not seeing breakthrough was bitter and had been bitter for a long time – refusing to release it. Could this bitterness block their breakthrough? I think so.
I am fully persuaded that we, as the Body of Christ, are in a time of breakthrough. I have seen more answers to prayers in the last week than I have in a long time. I believe the wind has shifted in our favor. I believe the time of birthing, deliverance, or whatever you want to call it, is at hand. I believe that with my whole being. However, I also believe many will NOT experience it. Why? Because of the roots that are holding them hostage. The roots that are poisoning them daily. Roots of bitterness. Anger. Hatred. All those roots that are the opposite of love.
Isaiah says Jesus is our root. Romans 11:16 says if the root is holy, so are the branches. The only way for us to remain holy and set apart unto God, is to be rooted and grounded in Christ and in LOVE. Anything less will hinder our breakthrough and hinder God from working on our behalf.
Today, I invite you to check your heart, as I have. See if there is any bitterness in you. If there is, remember, it is poison. Get rid of it today. Repent and forgive and release – cast it FAR FROM YOU. Do not allow it to hinder or abort what God has for you. It’s breakthrough time – do not allow bitter roots to hold you back. Trust me, it is never worth it. When we release those who have hurt us, we walk free. It is my prayer for you today that you become free, totally free from all bitterness, anger, resentment, hatred, and anything else that is not love. May it be so, in Jesus’ name.
