Three Consequences of Bitterness

There are three different types of consequences resulting from bitterness.  Each one has its own negative affects on an individual, and can ultimately kill a person under its influence.  The three consequences are physical, psychological, and spiritual.

The physical consequence deals with actual chemical imbalances inside an individual with bitterness.  The ways in which this consequence is manifested are many, but a few of these consist of aching teeth, hard facial features, and bone diseases.  The Bible also describes a situation dealing with the Law in that one who has bitterness will have a lower physical resistance.  This is shown in Numbers 5:27:

And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.

            A second consequence is in the psychological realm of one’s life.  A bitter person will soon go in and out of states of depression until the depression finally becomes a permanent part of him.  This is caused by the emotional exhaustion one experiences as he expressed anger towards an individual.  Elijah experienced emotional drain after he called down fire from heaven for the Lord against Ahab and Jezebel.  This was not bitterness related, but it does show the suicidal thoughts that can associate with emotional fatigue.

And he [Elijah] said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 Kings 19:10

            A final consequence lies within the spiritual aspect of one’s life.  When a person has bitterness hidden away in his heart, it directly affects his personal relationship with the Lord.  This will result in our own spiritual death, and thus allow the devil to overtake our lives with strongholds.  The bitterness that Saul held against David demonstrates this spiritual death in one’s life.  1 Samuel 18:8 describes Saul’s bitterness:

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

Saul completely threw away his personal relationship with the Lord because of his anger against David.  This ultimately resulted with Saul committing suicide during his final battle:  “. . . Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.” (1 Samuel 31:4)