Bitterness … it is one of the hardest emotions to overcome, often festering quietly within our hearts until it manifests in destructive ways. We see it rear its ugly head in the form of demonstrations all around the world, where anger and resentment boil over into public displays of discontent. Unfortunately, those who hang around bitter people become bitter themselves, as the pervasive nature of negativity can seep into one’s own outlook on life and relationships. You are who you hang around with, as the saying goes, highlighting the profound impact that our social circles have on our emotional well-being. But the Bible was the originator of that saying, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with godly influences. When you put two people together, one will influence the other, for better or worse; thus, it’s crucial to choose companions who uplift rather than drag us down. Only by breaking free from the chains of bitterness can we find true joy and fulfillment in our lives.
Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
Grace and kindness are forgiving while bitterness seeks to hurt. It nestles itself in the deepest part of the heart, infecting it with venom that spreads through thoughts and actions, clouding the mind and darkening the spirit. The only anti-venom is salvation and the work of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. He restores peace, helping to heal wounds that bitterness has caused, providing a gentle reminder that love can triumph over resentment and that healing begins with forgiveness. However, could it be that it isn’t your prodigal who is bitter but you, harboring unrecognized resentment and anger? Beware! This internal bitterness can lead to a vicious cycle, affecting your relationships and robbing you of joy, making it essential to break free from its grasp. It is crucial to examine your heart and seek true forgiveness, not just for others, but for yourself as well. It’s a journey that involves deep introspection and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths. If it is your prodigal who harbors bitterness, know where it comes from because we are dealing with the enemy.
Ephesians 4:30-32 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Most of our prodigals claimed salvation, some at a very early age, much like my own prodigal son, who once displayed his faith and a budding relationship with God. But once he got out on his own, he abandoned the godly principles he was raised on, choosing instead a path that strayed far from his upbringing. Did salvation truly take root in his heart? The evidence suggests otherwise, as his spiritual fruit does not bear witness to a life transformed by grace. Instead, he bears the fruit of the father of this world, the father of lies, enriching his life with deceit and a disregard for the values, reflecting a stark contrast to the teachings that were instilled in him during his formative years.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
The enemy would love nothing more than to destroy your family altogether, targeting not just the physical bonds but also the emotional and spiritual connections that hold you together. This is why we as mothers of prodigals must stand firmly in the gap and be intercessors for our loved ones who have strayed. We must pray fervently, just as Elijah did when he implored God to defeat Baal and restore the people to the truth. The devil takes on many deceptive forms; sometimes, he appears even as an angel of light, masking his true intentions, while other times his intentions are not masked but quite obvious. Don’t be surprised if your prodigal is led astray in search of fulfillment, trying to find peace through religious cults that promise solace but deliver only confusion and heartache. The enemy is a master of lies and a great deceiver, of this there is no doubt! It is essential that we remain vigilant, steadfast in our prayers, and unwavering in our faith, knowing that God is greater than any obstacle or deception the enemy puts forth.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Be encouraged, mothers! God is at work and His Spirit is working in your prodigal’s life just as He did in yours prior to your salvation. God’s Word promises not to go out void into nothingness. God will accomplish His will!
Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
