How To Be Free From Bitterness (Doug Wilson)

Bitterness is an ugly root that springs up from excessive feeding on sinful thoughts and fixation on others. Today, I want to share the first of a few video picks by Doug Wilson that I found personally convicting and very helpful.

To encourage you to check out the video, I’ve taken many answer given and turned them into questions, while listing some key points.

Why is the conviction of sin hard for preachers to preach on?
Bitterness is a topic that relates to everyone.
Conclusion: Antidote to bitterness is what?
We should come to love the hard provinces of God.
What are 2 occasions for bitterness?
Why is it a problem when we simplify a statement of bitterness and say it’s bad?
Why is bitterness like eating rat poison and waiting for the rat to die?
Why is it a problem when we try to drive out bitterness but with nothing to replace it?
What should replace bitterness in our heart?
How does contentment connect to bitterness?

Does God always plan pleasant sensations for us in our life?
What does Mara mean?
The set up for blessings for Naomi was a difficult set up.
Thomas Watson says what regarding our complaints?
Why should we be anxious for nothing?
Why should we expect God to do something beyond our understanding?
How does does Doug Wilson say we should pray regarding our circumstances?
Should we worry in our prayer?
What protects our contentment?
“We try to protect our helmet with our head.” – Doug Wilson

“You are the one to be protected by the peace of God.” – Doug Wilson
Is the peace of God frail? Can we protect the peace of God?
If we are the ones protecting something, then this is not beyond our understanding. But the peace of God is beyond our understanding.
How do we have the armor on?
Prayers and supplication with thanksgiving. What does this mean?
Christ was wronged by everyone – did His prayer reflect this complaint?
Was Christ unaware if His body would be broken?
How are we similar like Peter in saying, “No, Lord?”
Do we need to “feel like” not having bitterness against someone?
What are the problems when we “don’t feel like” doing things?
“If the Lord Jesus can give thanks for His trials, then we can give thanks for our trials.” – Doug Wilson

What happens when we have the peace of God upon us? How do others know something is different about us?
Bitterness is not having the wisdom to know someone is lazy, did a poor job, etc.
In describing bitterness – “Negative disposition that feeds and grows.” – Doug Wilson
To delight in information that shares in bad information about someone. – Bitterness
Bitterness has a sharp memory. It is studious in the faults of others.
Hebrews describes bitterness as a root.
What is the connection between roots gathering nutrients and a person feeding on gossip?
What is the connection between bitterness and an infected wound?
When a root springs up – what happens?
What is the fruit of bitterness?

Why are the roots of bitterness delighted to think of the previous situation that wounded us?
Why is it easier to confess the sin of another, but not ours?
Why do we lose our joy when we focus on the sin of others?
What is the connection between our focus on the sin of others, and forgetting how God has pardoned us for our sin?
Why do we have a problem when we do not want to forgive someone?
Do we want God to forgive our sins?
“Unforgiving people are unforgiven people.” – Doug Wilson

Check Out: How To Be Free From Bitterness by Doug Wilson

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The Gospel Message: With the Good News means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)

If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?

Scripture To Meditate On – (ESV) Proverbs 28:14, “Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”

Community Prayer – April ’22

Christian Topics/Series Covered
Personal Blog: Peeking Beneath
Second Blog: UnAshamed Christian Housewife
Godly Men & Women I Recommend: Link To List
Resources For False Teaching: Recommended Websites For False Teachers/Teaching
Video Playlist: Christian Questions, Topics, False Teachers, Insights
Video Playlist: New Christian Believer
Video Playlist: Understanding False Teachings
Video Playlist: Sermons To Grow From
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