Breaking Free of Negative Cycles

Key Scripture:

Hebrews 12:14–25 (NLT)

• Bitterness – 4088. πικρία pikria, pik-ree´-ah; from 4089; acridity (espec. poison), lit. or fig.:—bitterness.
  • Acrid – extremely or sharply stinging or bitter; exceedingly caustic
  • Caustic –
    • severely critical or sarcastic:
    • capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue.
• Grows Up – 5453. φύω phuō, foo´-o; a prim. verb; prob. orig. to “puff” or blow, i.e. to swell up; but only used in the impl. sense, to germinate or grow (sprout, produce), lit. or fig.:—spring (up).
• Trouble – 1776. ἐνοχλέω ĕnŏchlĕō, en-okh-leh´-o; from 1722 and 3791; to crowd in, i.e. (fig.) to annoy:—trouble.
  • 3791. ὀχλέω ŏchlĕō, okh-leh´-o; from 3793; to mob, i.e. (by impl.) to harass:—vex.

Spot the Bitterness – something that consistently causes a sharp pain or reaction in your emotions

• If not dealt with, it can cause decay or destroy relationships around you, even destroying you.
• 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Illustration – Bitter Cranberries

• Sugar & Butter
  • Sweetness of God’s goodness come in
  • Oil of His Spirit come upon you
    • Then you can actually take what was once bitter become sweet and inviting to others

Breaking Free of Negative Cycles:

1. Receive Healing
   • root of bitterness – v15 –
   • Some seed of a lie went down into the soil of your heart to grow that bitter root
   • We need to ask the Lord to identify it, heal the wound, and remove the seed
   • You are called to live a healed and whole life through Jesus.
   • You are also called to heal others through the sharing the love of Jesus.
2. Reject the Lie and Cling to Truth
   • v25 – Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking.
   • Ask the Holy Spirit’s help to identify the lie. Reject it and cling to truth in God’s Word.
   • You have the mind of Christ.
   • You can do what He says you can do.
3. Take Authority
   • 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
   • You are in covenant with Christ Jesus.
   • Your enemies are His enemies.
   • You have power and authority over the devil.
   • He doesn’t get to use your past or other people’s choices to hinder or delay God’s promises in you.
4. Get a Friend
   • 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal.
   • A good friend makes sure you’re not trading your birthright – what rightfully belongs to you. Call a godly friend. Listen to them. Get around them.

Demonstrate It:

Reject Rejection – Deut 31:6, Heb 13:5 – I will never leave you or forsake you

• Loneliness

Connect the Dots:

Not Good Enough (shame) – Romans 8:1 – there is now therefore no condemnation

Anxiety – Philippians 4:19 – my God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory