Scriptural Text: Ruth 1:1-6

Background on the Book of Ruth

This book was probably written during the time of the Judges. Please note Ruth 1:1. Ruth was a Moabite woman who married an Israelite man. The book of Ruth is said to have happened more specifically during Gideons judgeship over Israel. It was during this time that a famine took place in Israel. Note Judges 6:3-4.

Lesson

Naomi was a blessed woman. Her name means pleasant. She was married to a man named Elimelech. From this marriage she gave birth to two sons whose names were Mahlon and Chilion. Death visited Naomis household by taking not only her husband, but her two sons as well. Her sons had been married at the time of their death. Therefore there were three widows. In her grief, Naomi suffered bitterness of soul. She had been in a position to be charitable to others. Now that her husband was gone, she was in need of charitableness from others. With no husband or sons to take care of her, she now found herself at the bottom of the society pole. In those days unless you had a son to take care of you, you would find yourself living a very poor life. She went from the house on the hill to standing in the line for bread. In her great natural affliction, she became disconsolate. There is hope for those who are in bitterness of soul. Note Is. 47:9 and 51:19.

Before I go on, I must also make it clear that Ruth said that Gods hand was against her. (Ruth 1:13b) The fact that she had become bitter because of what had happened to her was revealed in the fact that she changed her name to Mara which means bitter. (Ruth 1:20). Not only was she bitter in soul, but she named herself bitter.

This lesson is for those who are in bitterness of soul. Your name has been changed to bitterness because of what you have experienced. There are answers in the Word of God for you. There is hope for those who are in bitterness.

How to Deal Effectively with Bitterness According to the Word of God

Hebrews 12:15 Exercise foresight [and] be on the watch to look {after one another}, to see that no one falls back from {and} fails to secure Gods grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble {and} bitter torment, and the many become contaminated {and} defiled by it--

Before you seek deliverance in this area, this is a negative emotion that must be dealt with. Here are the steps that you can take to have deliverance from this emotion.

1. EXPRESS YOURSELF You must first admit the bitterness that you feel. Do not deny it any longer. Naomi admitted her bitterness through the changing of her name. Remember her new name Mara meant bitterness. In order to be set free from this negative emotion, you must truly tell the truth and shame the devil! Your deliverance lies in the truth concerning how you feel. Tell the Lord. Tell someone who can pray with you for deliverance. Renounce it in the Name of Jesus! Ask the Lord to deliver you from it replacing it with a right spirit. Ask the Lord to renew the right spirit within you as well.

2. ACCEPT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS TOUGHT/MINDSET

Too many times, we blame others for how we feel instead of how we have responded to the situation. In a book on spiritual warfare, the author calls it reactionary sin. This means that you have reacted in the wrong manner toward whatever has happened to you. You must line yourself up, including your emotions, with the Word of God. Only then can you be free of any bondage. Note what Romans 12:1-21 and I Peter 3:8-9 says. Do not allow an adverse situation to overcome you so much that you lose your joy! The Word of God says for us to rejoice, and again I say rejoice. When bitterness has consumed you, then the devil has a stronghold in your life. The devil has been given access to an open door to your spirit. The Bible strictly tells us not to give place to the devil. Allowing you to be overtaken by bitterness is definitely giving place to the devil. He will come with other things to bind you spiritually. You must do something about what is going on in your life. The Word of God tells us that we are to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith.

For those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior now is your time to accept Him. Confess your sins and ask the Lord to wash and make you clean from you sins. Then as you surrender your life to Him, ask Him to deliver you from the Root of Bitterness. This root has many fruits which I will get into at a later time. For now you must understand that the root of bitterness must not be allowed to continue within you. Your deliverance, your victory is in the Name of Jesus Christ!

3. CONFESS YOUR WRONG RESPONSE

A. confesses it to the Lord. You need the forgiveness and cleansing that only the Lord can give you concerning this--I John 1:6-2:1.

B. Confess it to your prayer partner so that they may pray with you concerning your deliverance. This is called verbalizing the wrong. It is therapeutic for you to bring this darkness out into the light.

C. Confess into those whom you feel caused you to become bitter. This should be done prayerfully because this is not always possible. Matthew 5:22-24; 6:12-15; Mark 11:25-26; Matthew 18:21-35. This is the opportunity for the offender to face their sin(s), seek your forgiveness and release from the wrongdoing. Then you both can be restored to right fellowship with one another and with God. Then both of you can have unhindered fellowship with the Lord. Of course, this step should be prayerfully taken.

4. ASK YOURSELF: DO I REALLY WANT TO BE HEALED FROM THIS? The reason I am including this step as part of your healing process is because some people are wallowing in this feeling. When this is done, there is no knowledge of what this mindset toward the root of bitterness is doing to them. It is only making the root of bitterness even stronger!

5. BY FAITH, CHOOSE TO FORGIVE AND WALK IN WHOLENESS Forgiveness is an act of your will by faith. Even if you dont feel forgiveness, speak it and God will help it become a reality in your heart. I know what I am talking about because I forgave someone even though I did not feel it in my heart. I spoke it according to the Word of God, and then one morning I awakened to find that it was coming from my heart! God had transformed my heart concerning that individual. I found myself praying for them and asking the Lord to extend mercy in their lives! There is liberty when you forgive Gods way. You will truly love that person with the love of the Lord and not just lip service love. It will bean unfeigned divine love. This does take time. Let God heal your heart and heal the pain that you feel. It will happen as you bask in His Presence. DO NOT NOURISH THE ROOT! DESTROY IT BEFORE IT DESTROYS YOU!