In the context of biblical teachings, resentment is understood as a feeling of anger or displeasure stemming from a perceived wrong or insult. The Bible addresses the issue of resentment by encouraging believers to forgive and let go of bitterness, which can lead to spiritual and relational harm.

Biblical References:

1. Ephesians 4:31-32 : "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This passage highlights the importance of removing bitterness and resentment from one's life, replacing it with kindness and forgiveness, modeled after Christ's forgiveness.

2. Hebrews 12:15 : "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many." Here, the author warns against allowing bitterness to take root, as it can lead to widespread trouble and defilement within the community of believers.

3. Colossians 3:13 : "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This verse emphasizes the necessity of forgiveness, urging believers to let go of grievances and emulate the Lord's forgiveness.

Theological Insights:

Resentment is often linked to unforgiveness, which can hinder one's relationship with God and others. The Bible teaches that harboring resentment is contrary to the character of Christ, who exemplified ultimate forgiveness. The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35 illustrates the expectation that those who have received God's mercy should extend the same to others.

Practical Implications:

Believers are called to actively work against feelings of resentment by practicing forgiveness and seeking reconciliation. This involves a conscious decision to release the offense and trust in God's justice. Prayer and reflection on Scripture can aid in overcoming resentment, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform one's heart and mind.

Examples in Scripture:

· Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3-8): Cain's resentment towards Abel, due to God's favor on Abel's offering, led to the first murder. This account serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of unchecked resentment.

· Esau and Jacob (Genesis 27:41): Esau's resentment towards Jacob for stealing his blessing resulted in a long-standing family feud. However, their eventual reconciliation in Genesis 33 demonstrates the possibility of overcoming resentment through forgiveness.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a biblical perspective, resentment is seen as a moral failing that can lead to further sin. It is an emotion that believers are encouraged to address promptly, as it can disrupt personal peace and community harmony. The call to forgive is not only a command but also a pathway to spiritual freedom and healing.

In summary, the Bible consistently teaches that resentment is a harmful emotion that should be replaced with forgiveness and love, reflecting the grace that believers have received through Christ.(a.) Inclined to resent; easily provoked to anger; irritable.4088. pikria -- bitterness
... pikria Phonetic Spelling: (pik-ree'-ah) Short Definition: bitterness Definition:
bitterness, harshness, hence met: an embittered (resentful) spirit. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4088.htm - 6k5620. sar -- stubborn, resentful, sullen, implacable
... 5619, 5620. sar. 5621 . stubborn, resentful, sullen, implacable. Transliteration:
sar Phonetic Spelling: (sar) Short Definition: sullen. ...
/hebrew/5620.htm - 6k

Growing up into Christ
... loveliness of character. He was not only self-assertive and ambitious for
honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injuries. But as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 8 growing up into.htm

That the Fast of Lent is not Sufficient to Make us Competent to ...
... penitence, obtain some relief. But he who is resentful worketh the same iniquity
every day, and never brings it to an end. In the former ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xx that the fast.htm

Brokenness
... It is self, too, who is often doing Christian work. It is always self who gets
irritable and envious and resentful and critical and worried. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter i brokenness.htm

The Highway of Holiness
... We get irritable, envious and critical. We are resentful and unforgiving. We
are self-indulgent"and how often that can lead to impurity! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 4 the highway of.htm

Meekness and Rest
... instead of mercy we find cruelty; instead of purity of heart, corrupt imaginings;
instead of peacemakers we find men quarrelsome and resentful; instead of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/ix meekness and rest.htm

Fourth Day. Forgiveness of Injuries.
... Harbor no resentful thought, indulge in no bitter recrimination. Surrender yourself
to no sullen fretfulness. Let "the law of kindness" be in your heart. ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/fourth day forgiveness of injuries.htm

The Hardness of the Way.
... I suspect also that many a rich man turns from the record of this incident with
the resentful feeling that there lies in it a claim upon his whole having ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the hardness of the way.htm

John the Beloved
... By nature he had serious defects. He was not only proud, self-assertive, and
ambitious for honor, but impetuous, and resentful under injury. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 53 john the beloved.htm

Transformed by Grace
... He yielded his resentful, ambitious temper to the molding power of Christ,
and divine love wrought in him a transformation of character. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 55 transformed by grace.htm

Again He Says in the Twelve Prophets,...
... king. For Pontius Pilate was governor of Jud??a, and he had at that time
resentful enmity against Herod the king of the Jews. [254 ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 77 again he says.htm

Resentful (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Inclined to resent; easily provoked to anger;
irritable. Multi-Version Concordance Resentful (3 Occurrences). ...
/r/resentful.htm - 7k

Resentment (4 Occurrences)

/r/resentment.htm - 7k

Resented (1 Occurrence)

/r/resented.htm - 6k

Meek (23 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Mild of temper; not easily provoked or irritated; patient under injuries;
not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive. ...
/m/meek.htm - 13k

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