by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
It often starts with a setback of some kind. An illness, an injury, or maybe a disability which prevents me from doing what I’ve been doing. Maybe it’s a change in my job or work requirements, which prevents me from regularly attending worship services. At first, it doesn’t seem to be a big deal, because these things happen in life, and we learn to adjust. We learn to get through them. Usually before long, we are feeling better, or maybe the work schedule changes back, or somehow we learn to cope.
But sometimes the setback doesn’t go away – at least not for quite a while. Then, there is
something else. Maybe a job transfer which moves me to an area distant from the church. Maybe
it’s a promotion which I feel I can’t turn down, but it keeps me from getting back. Maybe the injury
is compounded with another, or another illness or some family difficulty. It may be the loss of a
loved one, which turns my world upside-down. Whatever it is, it seems to forever change my
relationship with the church, because it changes my life schedule, and my ability to freely
fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
And then it happens. Someone in the church says or does something to me which really
hurts. It may be a decision (or indecision) of the elders which bothers me. It may be a sermon in
which some point is made with which I strongly disagree. It may be a Bible class, or just a casual
comment in the foyer, but it really cuts me deeply, and my feelings are deeply wounded.
Now things have changed in the way I see the congregation. I don’t quite feel like I am “on
the team” as I was before. I’m not so sure I like some of these people as much as I did. And I’m not
convinced I want to spend as much time with them. Satan has gained a foothold in my life.
Resentment is a brink from which it’s difficult to withdraw. It’s hard to “un-say” things once they
are said. It’s hard to “un-think” thoughts. And it’s awfully hard to forgive.
“Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the
Lord: looking carefully lest there be any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root
of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled,” (Hebrews 12:14-15).
Root of bitterness. That’s an interesting phrase. Roots tend to grow and spread. They tend to
produce more roots, and eventually there is a full-grown tree. Bitterness is like a root. It can
gradually pervade my life, influencing my thoughts and decisions about many things. Resentment
and bitterness can change the way I look at other people, and alter the priorities I have long held
dear.
I have known many unfaithful Christians, who left the faith in just this way. Something was
said or done which was like kicking them when they were down from something else. Whatever
it was, it was just too much for them to ignore or deal with in a constructive way. So they left. And
tragically, their leaving did not to them seem like a big deal. By the time they actually left, they
had been preparing to leave for a while, so their exit came rather easily.
Satan gains a foothold by making us vulnerable, susceptible to some perceived slight or
injury. Whether through sickness or changing life circumstances, he sets us up for failure when
the opportunity to fail comes. Life is full of difficult choices, and there are times when we don’t
use God’s roadmap like we should in making these choices. Even though God has given us the
tools to navigate life’s earthly journey, we sometimes lay the tools aside because of other things.
These other things are placed there by Satan.
And Satan is a long-term player. He is patient, and willing to gradually achieve his goals.
He knows that people don’t become unfaithful overnight. It is a process or course which he is
willing to slowly pursue.
If you see any of these warning signs beginning to crop up in your life, now is the time to
deal with them. Now is the time to make the changes and corrections to your heart! Now is the
time to be softer and more forgiving in your outlook toward others. Don’t let bitterness take root
and grow. Don’t let Satan get a foothold in your life!
