31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
Verses 31 and 32 list six sins of the tongue and three positive attitudes that are standards for Christian living.
This verse shows what six sins of closeness does to the church. These six ugly sins will destroy relationships among Christians.
Let all bitterness,
“Bitterness” is smoldering resentment, a brooding animosity. This is a sour person, a believer who resents fellow Christians. “Bitterness” may involve animosity. This is a poison that acts on the mind or attitude.
Note that we are not to put away some bitterness but “all” bitterness. Put away any irritable state of mind, any harboring of resentment toward others. We are to not keep any score of wrong against us.
PRINCIPLE:
Resentment will destroy our spiritual lives.
APPLICATION:
It is possible to have a “root of bitterness” in our souls, where it will sour our entire person. When this happens, it will infect other believers.
He 12:15, looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;