2 Samuel 2:26 Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness?
In a battle, waste burning, ammunition handling, and gasoline can cause burn injuries to the combatants. There are three degrees of burn injuries. First degree burns the outer layer of the skin causing pain, redness and swelling. The second degree burn injuries burn the outer and the underlying layer of skin causing blisters along with redness and swelling. The third degree burn is when the burn penetrates deeper damaging the bones, muscles and tendons. The burn would appear white and charred and there will be no sensation in the area as the nerve endings are destroyed.
In spiritual battles animosity, hostility and insults leave 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree burns of bitterness in our soul. The scar caused by a 1st degree burn will eventually fade away but 2nd and 3rd degree burns could leave permanent scars or could even result in loss of limbs, sweat glands and hair foliage. 3rd degree burns could also result in casualties.
There was a fierce war between the house of David and Saul. There were casualties on both sides and the commander of Saul said to the commander of David, “Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness”? There were all brothers slaughtering each other in hostility. King Saul was dead yet there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David (2 Samuel 3:1). Abner (Saul’s commander) said, “How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?” (2 Samuel 2:26b). Abner’s plea stopped the bloodshed.
Hurting each other in retaliation, revenge and retribution will only cause 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns of bitterness.
Battle burns and scars:
1. 1st Degree: Public humiliation, insults, malign, betrayal and degradation can cause 1st degree burns to the soul. Particularly, if we are insulted when we stand up for what is right, factual and praiseworthy it can leave bitter battle burns. Cold tap water is the first aid to any burn. Likewise, cool the burn of bitterness by pouring God’s Word of comfort over it. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them out of their destructions (Psalm 107:20). God’s Word is the antidote to bitter burns.
2. 2nd Degree: Recollecting, repeating and ruminating over the disgrace, dishonour and degradation will turn the 1st degree burn into 2nd degree bitterness. Don’t let it penetrate beyond the 1st layer. Praying the prayer of forgiveness stops the burn from turning into resentment. Bandage the blisters with forgiveness.
3. 3rd Degree: Sleeping over the resentment, regurgitating the offense and repeating the pain over and over again is like digging into the raw wound until it turns into 3rd degree bitterness. Hoarding bitterness will damage our mind and change our character. If the pain of offense is unbearable, take help before bitterness takes root in your soul. Spiritual surgeries might be required to correct the soul mutilated with deep seeded bitterness.
Spiritual battle burns can turn into bitterness if it is not treated.
Hebrews 12:15 Let no root of bitterness spring up and trouble you.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to be cautious not to allow any battle burns of insult to take root as bitterness in my soul. Amen
Leave a Reply