The document discusses bitterness and how to forgive others. It notes that God expects us to forgive as He forgives us. Staying angry and bitter can lead to hatred, worry, and guilt. To forgive, one should remember that forgiveness means erasing debts, pray for those who wronged you by name, and seek reconciliation by erasing "chalklines". The passage encourages lifting drooping hands and strengthening weak knees to obtain grace and prevent bitterness from springing up and causing trouble.

2. that chokes out the
Axing the ‘Root of Bitterness’
Hebrews 12:12-15

5. Bitterness
• God Expects us to forgive others!
– As he forgives us! (Matthew 18:21-35)
• Failure to forgive blocks God’s Blessings!
– A heart full of bitterness leaves no place for Grace
• Staying angry and bitter leaves 3 obvious and
damaging results…

6. Bitterness
• Hatred
– 1 John 4:20 “ He that says he loves me and hates
his brother is a liar…”
– Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strife , but love
covers a multitude of sins”
– 1 John 3:15 “ Everyone that hates his brother is a
murderer and eternal does not abide in him”

7. Bitterness
• Worry
– Proverbs 12:15 “ Anxiety in a mans heart weighs
him down , but a good word makes him glad”
– 1 Peter 5:7 “ Cast your cares on him , because he
cares for you”
– Proverbs 27:1 “ The Lord is my light and my
salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the
stronghold of my life; whom shall I fear?

8. Bitterness
• Guilt
– 1 John 1:9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful
to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all
unrighteousness”
– Romans 8:1 “There is no condemnation for those
in Christ Jesus
– 1 John 2:2 “ He is the propitiation for our sins,
and not ours only ,but for the sins of the whole
world”

9. How can I forgive?
• Remember
– $10 million vs. $17 (Matthew 18:21-35)
• Pray
– James 4:2 – Pray “by name”
• Seek Reconciliation
– Erase the chalklines! (Hebrews 12:14)

10. Hebrews 12:12-15
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and
strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight
paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not
be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive
for peace with everyone, and for the holiness
without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to
it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that
no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes
trouble, and by it many become defiled

13. that chokes out the
Axing the ‘Root of Bitterness’
Hebrews 12:12-15