Spring Cleaning

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” -Ephesians 4:31-32

Invasion.  

It was what described the state of our apartment a few weeks ago. Moths were slowly overtaking our living space until we finally found the source of the problem—a bag of forgotten dates in the corner of our kitchen. Let’s just say the bag was moving. I gladly tossed it out (squirming as I did) and then braced myself for the cleaning. Grains and bags of rice were tossed out. Floors were scrubbed. Carpets vacuumed. I did everything I possibly could to make sure our “guests” wouldn’t return. Afterwards, when I tried to put the incident out of my mind, a strange thought occurred: 

Is this what bitterness looks like to you, God? A corner of my heart that’s infested with sin?

At the time, God was revealing some painful truths about the state of my heart, a process I could only describe as a spiritual “dredging.” After coming to terms with some past wounds, He was opening my eyes to grudges I had been holding onto for years towards my family and friends. I didn’t want to stop replaying the hurt I had experienced, and with each playback, my relationships in the present were being affected. I condemned and withdrew from the people I loved, convinced that everyone else was the problem and not me. 

“Is this what bitterness looks like to you, God? A corner of my heart that’s infested with sin?”

Thankfully, God used His Word and placed people in my life who lovingly reminded me of the truth: bitterness is sin. I began to wonder whether my refusal to forgive was the same as holding onto a bag of expired dates—one that was infested with wriggling maggots and moths. I just couldn’t shake the connection, and I finally found myself repenting of my sin. 

Maybe this is why Paul tells us to get rid of bitterness in Ephesians 4, though he also adds “rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior” to the list, qualities that are actionable and visible when we choose to hold a grudge (v. 31). He also reminds us of the reason we’re called to forgive and love in the first place: because Jesus forgave us (v. 32). In Ephesians 5, Paul elaborates further by saying, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God” (v. 1). In doing so, we become more and more like Christ. 

“Thankfully, God used His Word and placed people in my life who lovingly reminded me of the truth: bitterness is sin.”

Is there any bitterness in your heart today? Do you remember details or continue to replay events of past wrongs? Maybe relationships have soured because of this. Maybe you’re struggling to forgive. But maybe it’s an opportunity to ask God for help. In her devotional book “Awaken,” Priscilla Shirer reminds us that forgiveness is something that can’t be done on our own: “Forgiveness is certainly a miracle—a supernatural outworking of God’s Spirit within you, enabling you to extend something to the people in your life that you could never do otherwise.” Ask Him to help you to seek forgiveness and offer it freely as Jesus did for us. 

Daneem Kim serves as a youth leader at Maine Street Baptist Church in Brunswick, Maine.