How Can Resentment Lead to Death?

Resentment! How dangerous is it? Is there a way to prevent resentment within us? Resentment is a potentially lethal evil that can cause great harm inwardly and toward others. It has the power to enslave us to the past. When we resent people, we give them power over us. Resentment is based on a way of thinking that suggests, I have been wronged or deserve better. It comes from an entitlement or victim-type mentality and it leads to bitterness. How do we avoid this sinful state? How can resentment lead to death? Our May 29, 2016 broadcast titled, “How Can Resentment Lead To Death?” focused on six related emotions that can cause resentment: Selfishness, Anger, Discontent, Pride, Jealousy and Humiliation. We examined biblical characters who experienced these related emotions to see if they fall into this awful trap of resentment or rise above it. To add to our discussion we took a look at the poem “Gaining Victory Over Self” and discussed how to overcome the emotions that can lead to resentment. Holding a grudge against someone can harm us and the other person. When we nurture anger, selfishness, and other emotions that lead to resentment, it turns into a concentrated dose of emotional poison! If we don’t get rid of anything related to resentment and we allow this to happen in our heart, it is almost like idolatry! Why - Because we are replacing God in our heart with the resentment instead. Resentment is something that eats away on the inside of us and we have to be the one to let it go. When resentment and bitterness are a firmly established condition of the heart, it is more difficult to get rid of. We need to weed out resentment so it doesn’t destroy us! It is important to weed out the smaller things, like selfishness, pride, anger etc. before it turns to resentment and creates damage in our own hearts, minds and bodies. Mark 11:25: (NASB) “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Forgiveness is a decision to let go of resentment and to keep it out of our hearts and minds. Forgiveness changes our destination!