Anthony Wade Ministries

It is a documented fact that unforgiveness is a very harmful character flaw that must be rooted out of the life of every believer. In fact, unforgiveness can stop you in your tracks. It can create more difficulty than many of us can anticipate. I’ve heard that hypertension – high blood pressure – is and can be a silent killer. People who have it, sometimes aren’t even aware of it’s dangers,
until it is too late, and serious damage is done to their blood vessels.

Well, the purpose of this article is not to give you a health lesson, but to warn you of the dangers of unforgiveness, and the other side of unforgiveness; bitterness. Both unforgiveness and bitterness can create disturbances in your spiritual well being. All too often people are not aware of the dangers that are deep within their mind, will, and emotions – their soul.

Unforgiveness and bitterness, are silent killers. What I mean by silent killers is that they can steal from the heart and soul of who you are. They can render you ineffective in your relationships with others. The intent of this article is to encourage you to do a check up, from the neck up. It is my goal to help you locate where you are in your walk with God, as well as your walk with others.

MOUTH FULL OF IT
Romans 3:14 (KJV)

{14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

One of the first things that a person should do to determine whether he or she is bitter is to locate what is coming out of his or her mouth. Whether we like it or not our tongues can reveal more about us than we may sometimes care to be revealed.

It was a Sunday afternoon, and he was in a very strange frame of mind. He had no idea what was deep within him until he took a good look at himself. When I say deep within, I am talking about the mind, will, and emotions – the soul (Hebrews 4:12 * 1 Thessalonians 5:23). He began to verbalize things that were shocking to him, as well as the others around him — things that were buried deep within his memory. He was wounded from injuries that had been inflicted upon him over the years. Instead of really dealing with it, he buried it. So he thought.

He knew he should not use foul language, because he had been a God-fearing man for more than two decades. Still, he had not taken a good look at himself to locate where he was. Although he knew that foul language was not acceptable yet he was cursing by allowing harmful communication to come out of his mouth (Ephesians 4:25-32).

SWEET WATER & BITTER
The Epistle of James is very graphic about what is coming out of our mouths. The third chapter is devoted to taking a good look at what we are saying. Space will not permit me to exhort you on every verse in this chapter, however there are a few things I would like to bring to your attention. James is making a comparison in this passage. He asks can sweet water and bitter come from the same fountain? The fountain that he is talking about is the mouth. In verse fourteen he puts bitterness, envy and strife in a cluster. This says to me that these three usually work together. How are they detected? You guessed it, by what is coming out of the mouth. One of the Greek definitions for bitter is something that is piercing and sharp. My question to you is are you allowing your tongue to be piercing and sharp in your interactions with others? If so, you are bitter. To be full of envy means to be full of jealousy. How can we know if we are in the middle of envy? By what is coming out of our mouth. If you are continually talking about what others possess in comparison to yourself, you could be allowing envy to be a part of your life without even knowing it. The last character trait I want to discuss in verse fourteen is strife. The word strife can be summed up with four words: debates, contentions, disputes, and arguments.

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NIV)

{23} Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. {24} And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. {25} Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, {26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

BE NOT BITTER AGAINST THEM
In Colossians the third chapter the word bitter comes to the surface once more. This time it is in relation to husband and wife. In verse eighteen the wife is commanded to submit to her husband. However, her submission has a lot to do with how her husband interacts with her on a regular basis. If he loves her as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25), he can be confident that her submission will be intact. Her submission is not that she does everything he wants her to do at any given time, but it is her “attitude” towards him. If any husband will sow the right seeds towards his wife, she will for the most part, respond in a favorable manner. Even so, if he spews out bitterness her way, she is hard pressed to be submissive.

Colossians 3:19 (KJV)

{19} Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

Hebrews 12:14-15 (KJV)

{14} Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: {15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

It is possible to be at peace with all men if that is what all men want. However, we know that some want to quarrel about nearly everything. Life is too short. Verse fourteen says peace and holiness, without it, no man shall see the Lord. What a tall order! Remember, that if it is in the Bible, we can do it. God would not command us to do something, and not give us the power to do it (James 1:22). Verse fifteen tells us to look diligently. The word ‘looking’ connotes a continual observation on our part. Why? Because we don’t want to fail the “Grace of God.” Failing the “Grace of God,” simply means that we do not realize that He is the One Who will, and can put us over. He has a favorable regard for who we are. He has a favorable disposition towards us. Failing to understand the “Grace of God” will cause a root of bitterness to spring up, trouble you, and defile you. You might ask, “What could possibly defile me? You might be defiled with the root of bitterness that you chose to let come out of your mouth. The root of bitterness is produced because you have chosen to not ‘follow peace.’

The reason people don’t follow peace with others is, 1) They Don’t Want Peace. 2) They Are Not At Peace With Themselves.

This is what I mean: Let’s say you became sick to your stomach. It is impossible to keep in your stomach something you consumed, so you end up vomiting. Not only do you vomit, but that vomit is so abundant and forceful that it gets all over you. Your clothing, your shoes etc., is covered with the vomit that is projected from your mouth. Everything you have on is defiled. Even some of your undergarments are soaked with vomit. Not only are you covered with this defilement, but perhaps your associates and family members are standing near you. Some of your vomit gets on them. The smell is awful. You were anxious to get somewhere where you could take a shower bath and get yourself cleaned up. However, before you could get to a shower, you have another vomiting spell. Now you are so embarrassed that you cannot describe how you feel.

That my friend is what it means to be defiled by a “Root of Bitterness.” Not only does it affect you, but it has an affect on your associates and loved ones, as well. Everyone is affected when you choose to let bitterness come from your mouth. -AWM

Copyright © 2010 Anthony N. Wade Ministries — All Rights Reserved.
WEBSITE: www.anthonywadeministries.com
EMAIL: hgflow@gmail.com

You might be thinking that there is not anybody that God wouldn’t forgive. That is right. There’s not anybody that our Heavenly Father wouldn’t forgive. However, there are people that fall under the category of those that He can’t or couldn’t forgive. How can that possibly be? Let’s closely look at Mark 11:25-26.

If we are not watchful, we will disqualify ourselves from being a candidate of His forgiveness. Remember, I didn’t say He wouldn’t, I said He couldn’t. There are certain things that God has given us authority over and this is one of them. He has given us the say–so over whether we will walk in forgiveness or not. He does not, and will not, grab us by the nap of our necks and make us do something that we don’t want to do.

If He acted in that manner, our relationship with Him would be likened to a robot, or an automaton. Again, if we don’t, He can’t.

The later part of Mark 11:25 really confirms what I am saying. Until we first of all use “the aught remover” on ourselves, we have no power to use it on others. In addition we bind our Heavenly Father’s hands, We unknowingly keep Him from forgiving us. If you only knew — He would — if He could. Then again, He can’t, because, you won’t.

One person puts it this way, if you won’t, He can’t — if you don’t He won’t. How can that be? Because He is working in you and me. Verse {26} goes on to tell us that if we don’t forgive, better yet if we don’t use “the aught remover” on ourselves and others, our Heavenly Father can’t use it on us.

Again, we tie His hands from passing on to us that which He wants us to receive. Could this be the reason why Mark 11:23-24 is not more powerful in some peoples lives? -AWM

Several years ago on Thanksgiving day, my wife and I were blessed to celebrate the holiday with two of our daughters, their husbands, and at time three of our grandchildren. During our visit I took the opportunity to converse with one of our daughters. We were discussing how early I had gotten up. After disclosing what time I woke up, I made the declaration that that time was my internal clock. My daughter responded back with “your clock is broken.” The next morning like clock work I woke up. After a trip to the proverbial necessary room, I returned back to my seat and began to reminisce on the day before. During my time of recollecting, my conversion with my daughter came to mind. It dawned to me how blessed I am to have an awesome fellowship with my daughters.

Psalms 68:6 (KJV)

{6} God setteth the solitary in families…

Our conversation came back to mind with this thought — “my clock is not broken.”

This is what I mean: I have been this way for over twenty-five years. My internal clock gives me the opportunity to wake up between three or four o’clock in the morning. Depending on whether Daylight Savings Time is in force or not, I am the most coherent between three and seven o’clock in the morning. I hear from God during this time, as well as get direction. I have fellowship with Him, and get ideas for articles such as the one you are reading now.

I learned some time ago not to depend on an alarm clock. My clock is in my spirit. The Holy Spirit in my recreated human spirit knows when to wake me up. He knows when I am at my best, or when I am responsible to be on time to a function. Now, if you need an alarm clock, by all means use one. It would be better to use an external clock until your internal clock is highly-developed. One minister calls it The Development of the Recreated Human Spirit. This article is not written to put some one down, or to inflate who I am, or what I have accomplished. It is only meant to share with you what is obtainable to us if we are willing to allow ourselves – our spirits to be improved. In closing I have a question for you. Could depending on an alarm clock have an affect on your walk of faith? You decide! No my brother, sister, my clock is not broken. Why? Because it is deep within my recreated human spirit. -AWM

Isaiah 12:3 (TLB)

{3} Oh, the joy of drinking deeply from the Fountain of Salvation!”

Copyright © 2010 Anthony N. Wade Ministries — All Rights Reserved. No portion of this publication may be rewritten or reproduced without the written approval of the author.
www.anthonywadeministries.com

1 Peter 5:4-9 (NASB)

{5}……. all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

{6} Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, {7} casting all your anxiety (care) upon Him, because He cares for you. {8} Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. {9} But resist him, firm in your faith,

In this earthly life we are going to be challenged from time to time with temptations, tests and trials — the storms of life. One thing is for certain our Father God is not the author of the storms of life — nor temptations, test, and trials. They are from the kingdom of darkness. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. You must understand that the prince of darkness is a thief — he is out to fleece you of God’s Life that is in you.

John 10:10-11 (NASB)

{10} “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. {11} “I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His Life for the sheep.

The previous verses clearly tell us that anything that is killing, stealing, and destroying us is not from God. It goes on to say that the “Good Shepherd” gives His Life for the sheep. He desires that we have life more abundantly. Again, anything that is killing, thieving, and destroying you is not from God. The enemy wants to devour you — take you out. He wants to render you and me inoperable. Why? Because we are are threat to his agenda. The enemies plan is only destruction — demolition. God’s word to us through The Lord Jesus Christ is Spirit and Life (John 6:63). There is no condemnation to those who are walking with Christ by His Spirit. (Romans 8:1-2). Why? Because The Law of Spirit has made you free from the law of sin and death. Sin and death will only produce two things — sin and death.

You and I have been delivered — redeemed, from sin and death. It is our responsibility, our privilege to cast the whole of our care on Him when sin and death try to attach themselves to us. When I was a young lad my earthly father often took us fishing with him. I can still see it now, my father would cast the line away from the shore to catch the fish he was endeavoring to catch.

It didn’t matter the body of water we were at he still had to cast his line in the water, be it a lake, reservoir, or pond. Each body of water was a different experience. Each station in life has a different experience as well. It doesn’t matter the experience, if we are going to be the victors and not the victims we are encouraged to to cast our care on Him. -AWM

Copyright © 2010 Anthony N. Wade — All Rights Reserved. No portion of this article may be rewritten or reproduced without the written permission of the author. This newsletter is sent out free of charge. It is financed by freewill love offerings and donations.
www.anthonywadeministries.com

It is a documented fact that unforgiveness is a very harmful character flaw that must be rooted out of the life of every believer. In fact, unforgiveness can stop you in your tracks. It can create more difficulty than many of us can anticipate. I’ve heard that hypertension – high blood pressure – is and can be a silent killer. People who have it, sometimes aren’t even aware of it’s dangers, until it is too late, and serious damage is done to their blood vessels.

Well, the purpose of this article is not to give you a health lesson, but to warn you of the dangers of unforgiveness, and the other side of unforgiveness; bitterness. Both unforgiveness and bitterness can create disturbances in your spiritual well being. All too often people are not aware of the dangers that are deep within their mind, will, and emotions – their soul.

Unforgiveness and bitterness, are silent killers. What I mean by silent killers is that they can steal from the heart and soul of who you are. They can render you ineffective in your relationships with others. The intent of this article is to encourage you to do a check up, from the neck up. It is my goal to help you locate where you are in your walk with God, as well as your walk with others.

MOUTH FULL OF IT
Romans 3:14 (KJV)

{14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

One of the first things that a person should do to determine whether he or she is bitter is to locate what is coming out of his or her mouth. Whether we like it or not our tongues can reveal more about us than we may sometimes care to be revealed.

It was a Sunday afternoon, and he was in a very strange frame of mind. He had no idea what was deep within him until he took a good look at himself. When I say deep within, I am talking about the mind, will, and emotions – the soul (Hebrews 4:12 * 1 Thessalonians 5:23). He began to verbalize things that were shocking to him, as well as the others around him — things that were buried deep within his memory. He was wounded from injuries that had been inflicted upon him over the years. Instead of really dealing with it, he buried it. So he thought.

He knew he should not use foul language, because he had been a God-fearing man for more than two decades. Still, he had not taken a good look at himself to locate where he was. Although he knew that foul language was not acceptable yet he was cursing by allowing harmful communication to come out of his mouth (Ephesians 4:25-32).

SWEET WATER & BITTER

The Epistle of James is very graphic about what is coming out of our mouths. The third chapter is devoted to taking a good look at what we are saying. Space will not permit me to exhort you on every verse in this chapter, however there are a few things I would like to bring to your attention. James is making a comparison in this passage. He asks can sweet water and bitter come from the same fountain? The fountain that he is talking about is the mouth. In verse fourteen he puts bitterness, envy and strife in a cluster. This says to me that these three usually work together. How are they detected? You guessed it, by what is coming out of the mouth. One of the Greek definitions for bitter is something that is piercing and sharp.

My question to you is are you allowing your tongue to be piercing and sharp in your interactions with others? If so, you are bitter. To be full of envy means to be full of jealousy. How can we know if we are in the middle of envy? By what is coming out of our mouth. If you are continually talking about what others possess in comparison to yourself, you could be allowing envy to be a part of your life without even knowing it. The last character trait I want to discuss in verse fourteen is strife. The word strife can be summed up with four words: debates, contentions, disputes, and arguments.

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NIV)

{23} Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. {24} And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. {25} Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, {26} and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

BE NOT BITTER AGAINST THEM

In Colossians the third chapter the word bitter comes to the surface once more. This time it is in relation to husband and wife. In verse eighteen the wife is commanded to submit to her husband. However, her submission has a lot to do with how her husband interacts with her on a regular basis. If he loves her as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25), he can be confident that her submission will be intact.

Her submission is not that she does everything he wants her to do at any given time, but it is her “attitude” towards him. If any husband will sow the right seeds towards his wife, she will for the most part, respond in a favorable manner. Even so, if he spews out bitterness her way, she is hard pressed to be submissive.

Colossians 3:19 (KJV)

{19} Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

THE ROOT OF BITTERNESS

Hebrews 12:14-15 (KJV)

{14} Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: {15} Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

It is possible to be at peace with all men if that is what all men want. However, we know that some want to quarrel about nearly everything. Life is too short. Verse fourteen says peace and holiness, without it, no man shall see the Lord. What a tall order! Remember, that if it is in the Bible, we can do it. God would not command us to do something, and not give us the power to do it (James 1:22). Verse fifteen tells us to look diligently. The word ‘looking’ connotes a continual observation on our part. Why? Because we don’t want to fail the “Grace of God.”

Failing the “Grace of God,” simply means that we do not realize that He is the One Who will, and can put us over. He has a favorable regard for who we are. He has a favorable disposition towards us. Failing to understand the “Grace of God” will cause a root of bitterness to spring up, trouble you, and defile you. You might ask, “What could possibly defile me? You might be defiled with the root of bitterness that you chose to let come out of your mouth. The root of bitterness is produced because you have chosen to not ‘follow peace.’

The reason people don’t follow peace with others is, 1) They Don’t Want Peace. 2) They Are Not At Peace With Themselves.

This is what I mean: Let’s say you became sick to your stomach. It is impossible to keep in your stomach something you consumed, so you end up vomiting. Not only do you vomit, but that vomit is so abundant and forceful that it gets all over you. Your clothing, your shoes etc., is covered with the vomit that is projected from your mouth. Everything you have on is defiled. Even some of your undergarments are soaked with vomit. Not only are you covered with this defilement, but perhaps your associates and family members are standing near you. Some of your vomit gets on them. The smell is awful. You were anxious to get somewhere where you could take a shower bath and get yourself cleaned up. However, before you could get to a shower, you have another vomiting spell. Now you are so embarrassed that you cannot describe how you feel.

That my friend is what it means to be defiled by a “Root of Bitterness.” Not only does it affect you, but it has an affect on your associates and loved ones, as well. Everyone is affected when you choose to let bitterness come from your mouth. -AWM

Copyright © 2010 Anthony N. Wade Ministries — All Rights Reserved.

EMAIL: hgflow@gmail.com