The Watchman's Diary

What are you allowing to take root in your heart?

Trees depend on healthy roots to thrive, especially in the harshest environments. Epiphytic and parasitic plants take advantage of a healthy tree by taking root on its branches. The epiphytic plant draws its nutrients from the air, rain, and surrounding environment. Parasitic plants on the other hand, draw nutrients directly from the tree, often harming it in the process.  They are true roots of bitterness to an otherwise healthy tree. 

Like the tree, the environment from which we draw our nutrients will have a direct impact on our health. The harsher our environment, the more intentional we must be in where we take root. The stronger we grow in our faith, the more we must guard ourselves from what can take root in us. Bitterness doesn’t just affect the host; it pours out from us to those around us. Bitterness overwhelms our hearts and minds and when we are fully consumed, it takes aim at those closest to us.

The antidote to bitterness is love — love for God and love for each other. Love is both the protective armor against and the cure for bitterness. The Apostle Paul said, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). 

Bitterness, on the other hand leads to impatience, cruelty, jealously, pride, irritability, grudges, and all manner of injustices. Bitterness, if not contained and treated, can easily lead to broken homes, divided communities, and failed nations. Love, according to the Apostle Paul, should be our “highest goal” (1 Corinthians 14:1). The Apostle John goes even further in demonstrating the power of love when he said, “a person who has no love is still dead” (1 John 3:14b).

The greatest witness to the power of love is the Author of love Himself. Jesus said, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39). 

Bitterness may attempt to cling to our branches (hearts), but if we are rooted in Christ Jesus, it cannot maintain its grip. If bitterness is having its way in us, we must reassess our position in Christ. 

How grounded are you in Christ? Is it bitterness or love that flows from your heart? What are your words and actions telling those with whom you come in contact?

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God” (1 John 3:18-19).