How can we guard against spiritual "bitterness" mentioned in Revelation 8:10? The Picture in Revelation 8:10 “Then the third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star burning like a torch fell from heaven and landed on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters.” (Revelation 8:10) The next verse adds, “The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter like wormwood, and many people died from the bitter waters.” (Revelation 8:11) What Spiritual Bitterness Looks Like • Wormwood in Scripture pictures poison that spreads (Deuteronomy 29:18; Jeremiah 9:15). • Hebrews 12:15 warns of “any root of bitterness growing up to cause trouble and defile many.” • It can be personal resentment, doctrinal corruption, or cynical unbelief—anything that turns the life-giving water of God’s truth into something toxic. Why Guard Against It? • It deadens spiritual appetite (Psalm 34:8). • It chokes out joy and hinders prayer (Psalm 66:18). • It defiles relationships (Ephesians 4:31). • Left unchecked, it invites judgment, just as wormwood-tainted waters brought death. Practical Ways to Stay Sweet 1. Daily heart check – “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” (Psalm 139:23-24) 2. Quick forgiveness – “Be kind and compassionate… forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) 3. Drink the living water of Christ – “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.” (John 4:14) 4. Saturate mind with Scripture – “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11) 5. Walk by the Spirit – The Spirit’s fruit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness. (Galatians 5:22-23) 6. Guard sound doctrine – “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” (1 Timothy 4:16) 7. Keep thankful worship on your lips – “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) 8. Stay in Christ-centered fellowship – “Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) 9. Serve others sacrificially – “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) Encouragement from Related Passages • Proverbs 4:23 — “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” • James 3:11 — “Can fresh water and bitter water flow from the same spring?” • Romans 12:21 — “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Christ—The Antidote to Bitterness At the cross He drank the cup of wrath so we could drink living water. Abide in Him, let His sweetness replace any wormwood, and the rivers of your life will stay pure and refreshing to others. |
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