Bitterness and jealousy masquerade as the need for justice!
The biggest battleground we face is the mind. It’s in our thought world. Bitterness refers to a deep-seated resentment, anger, and negativity, often stemming from feelings of being treated unfairly or wronged. It’s a destructive force that can corrode relationships and hinder spiritual growth. We see ourselves as victims who want justice.
James recorded by The Holy Spirit in James chapter 3:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of Wisdom.
14 But if there is bitter jealousy or competition hiding in your heart, then don’t deny it and try to compensate for it by boasting and being phony.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17]But the Wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Wrong thinking is where the demonic hides. Jealousy is the desire for what someone else possesses and is a form of idolatry. One thinks that they should have what the other person possesses and is viewed as not being fair or just. We must root out this subtle form of idolatry.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 10:
3 For although we live in the natural realm, we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons, using manipulation to achieve our aims. Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with Divine power to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide.
5 We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.
6 Since we are armed with such dynamic weaponry, we stand ready to punish any trace of rebellion, as soon as you choose complete obedience.
Paul also wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 4:
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the Life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak Truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.
27 nor give place to the devil.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
If you are dealing with bitterness, resentment, or jealousy, you need to repent and confess your sin. You must not give place to the devil but instead, be forgiving just as Jesus forgave you. We need to succeed in feeling GOD’S Heart for the person in question. The opposite of Love is not hate, it is indifference. We can’t know another person’s heart and motives, only FATHER can. We must let HIM deal with any perceived injustice as we walk in Love and forgiveness.
If you will wash another person’s feet, you will find out why they walk the way they do. Think about it. We are to serve and Love people as Jesus did.