Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
I was studying this scripture this morning and heard a great quote while researching it- "Bitterness is drinking poison and expecting someone else to die from it." Isn't that so true! If you are holding on to any bitterness or anger (i.e. grudge) let it go today! Today is a new day - why not lay it all down at the foot of the cross. Also, if you think this isn't an issue for you, check out what my dear sister Leslie sent me about it:
This is John Wesley’s commentary on those verses…
Verse 31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Let all bitterness — The height of settled anger, opposite to kindness, verse 32.
And wrath — Lasting displeasure toward the ignorant, and them that are out of the way, opposite to tenderheartedness. {I found this interesting}
And anger — The very first risings of disgust at those that injure you, opposite to forgiving one another. {WOW}
And clamour — Or bawling. "I am not angry," says one; "but it is my way to speak so." Then unlearn that way: it is the way to hell.
And evil speaking — Be it in ever so mild and soft a tone, or with ever such professions of kindness. Here is a beautiful retrogradation, beginning with the highest, and descending to the lowest, degree of the want of love.
Verse 32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. As God, showing himself kind and tenderhearted in the highest degree, hath forgiven you.
