and the root of bitterness is ..... (clue : it is not your unforgiveness)

I'm a bit over people inferring "root of bitterness"
to my words that identify the beliefs of religious spirits.


These controlling spirits try to condemn 
and conform our freedom in the Spirit 
to that which is acceptable for them.


These words (that are branded "root of bitterness")
are what I consider to be part of 
"the renewing of our minds" and 
bringing down strongholds of the devil. 
(our battle is not with flesh and blood but with ......).


This can be done with levity !
(The Joy of Jesus is our Strength).




"Work at getting along with each other and with God. 
Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. 
Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. 
Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. 
A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. 
Watch out for the Esau syndrome: 
trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. 
You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act 
and wanted God's blessing—
but by then it was too late, tears or no tears." (TM)


[[[ In whom is the discontentment ?
Those missing out on God's generosity.


With what are they discontented? 
They are not getting the Goodness of God.
So the God preached has no value to them (like Esau).


Where does that lead?
To more discontentment in themselves, others and God !! ]]]]




Please read on, compare the translations from the Greek. 




Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], 
to see that no one falls back from 
and fails to secure God's grace 
(His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), 
in order that no root of resentment 
(rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth 
and causes trouble and bitter torment, 
and the many become contaminated and defiled by it-- (AMP)


[[[if your group is not enhancing your ability to secure 
(understand, be blessed by) God's Grace,
it will allow resentment to torment you.]]]


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Pursue the goal of peace along with everyone—
and holiness as well, 
because no one will see the Lord without it.
Make sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. 
Make sure that no root of bitterness grows up 
that might cause trouble and pollute many people. (CEB)


[[[ By not understanding what is true Grace,
a cycle of trouble begins and the gospel is polluted. ]]]


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Be careful that no one fails to get God’s grace. 
Be careful that no one loses their faith and 
becomes like a bitter weed growing among you. 
Someone like that can ruin your whole group. (ERV)


[[[ If people don't get what Grace is about,
keep giving and being an example of Grace,
rather than reverting to authoritarianism (Law) ]]]


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Make sure that everyone has kindness from God 
so that bitterness doesn’t take root and grow up 
to cause trouble that corrupts many of you. (GW)


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... and for those that follow the KJV religiously :-


Follow peace with all men, and holiness, 
without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; 
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, 
and thereby many be defiled;


[[[ this is lazily interpreted by the religious,
that a person can fail in the Grace of God,
(which in itself is a devil idea !!!)
because Grace never fails, 
Jesus was crucified in our place.
one needs to study what it actually says :
"fail OF the Grace of God"


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Be careful that no one fails to receive God's grace
 and begins to cause trouble among you. (NCV)


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You must understand that this is a grace-race and not a law-race. While we’re in compete- and compare-mode we create the opportunity for resentment to flourish and to poison many in the process. (We are all equally included in the same victory in Christ!)

A performance-driven mindset triggers the law system into action and distorts the picture: suddenly the fleeting moment of pleasure seems more attractive than your true portion, [Esau thinking] (which is what sin is all about, Greek, hamartia,  often translated, sin, is made up of two words,  ha, without, and meros, your portion.)      (Mirror)

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Clearly "root of bitterness" is not about one holding a grudge against someone. (please see this blog's post about forgiveness). 
It is not about hating because God hates the Esau way of thinking,(R9)
i.e. changing God's Promises for temporary gain.
So it can't be standing against religious controlling political spirits 
who have changed Grace into law for their own gain.


"Root of bitterness" is the starting place of trouble for people who have not been Graced. 




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Where there is no revelation of Grace, people become bitter and tormented, then trouble.

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[ ... ] square brackets indicate my contribution.

"Be a Greasy Grace Lover"

The human law punishes sin according to its degree of serious. 
Murder is considered more sinful than pilfering, lying or stealing. 
This of course makes sense. Hence we have misdemeanors and felonies.

Many self righteous religious people condemn 
homosexuality, drug addiction, pedophilia, 
murdering, raping, cheating, stealing, and 
other unacceptable and unmentionable practices as a certificate to hell. 


But often forget that 
unforgiveness, religious pride, self righteousness, 
self consciousness, stubbornness, rigidness, 
fear and unbelief, and hypocrisy, 
are all sins of the flesh in God’s eyes.


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“If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation; 
old things have passed away; behold, 
all things have become new.” 
(2.Cor.5:17) 

This makes self righteous religious people mad and 
you will be accused of being a “greasy grace lover.” 
They love legalism and can’t get free from it 
so they are depending on their high grade level to make it to heaven, 
rather than Jesus. 

If you have thoughts or practices that make you feel ashamed and condemned
don’t listen to those self righteous religious people, 
but open up to Jesus for whatever your sins or failings are, 
He will not condemn you, but cleanse and sustain you. 
People may be shocked if they heard your confession, 
but God will not be. 
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, 
but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” 
(Heb.5:15)


written by David Walters.
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Check out Kathie Walters' book, “The Spirit Of False Judgment.”


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2 of my recent tweets (influenced by Robert Capon)


"..... the only thing that will leave me with big problems,
is my NON-acceptance of DaddyGod's FULL Acceptance of me
into His JOY party ....."
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greasy grace is the one where I think I can earn it
by me getting my life to a "reasonable" state ?!
..... All Grace abounds no matter what we do about our "sins" ! .....
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You are Innocent .....

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Rom 3:26 God's act of righteousness is pointing mankind 
to the evidence of their innocence.
- mirror 

- Anything branded, "Gospel" that does not say this, is not gospel, 
but just another disguise of Moses!

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In the mirror of Christ you see yourself 
as God has always seen you. 

Innocent, blameless and pure without guile. 

Wallow yourself in it, indulge in the liberty of truth revealed! 

Because you know that you are the image and likeness of the Son 

in whom you find your essential features. 

Enjoy the resting place He has brought you into. 

Vanessa Cappuci Kurt Cappucci

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Anthea Taljaart writes: Where am I safe?

Safety is not found outside of yourself in the security and walls you exist behind, 
it is found within you in the union of yourself and God. 
It’s your consciousness of your indwelling that creates your new reality. 
This effectively cancels fear and with it that which you feared. 

They tried to stone Jesus at one point in the gospels, 
enraged by what he had to say. 
He simply turned and walked right through them, 
even as he spoke to them and said, “You have nothing in me.”

Ps 139 says that God has occupied heaven, earth and hell – 
there is no place on this planet where he cannot be found, 
regardless of how dark it seems. 
The owner of the house has taken occupation again in you, 
live with him, live safe.

God is real, relevant and capable within you.
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Rom 4:5 
It is clear then that someone who believes that God justified the ungodly 
understands that it is faith and not our toil that accounts for righteousness. 


(dikaiouanta, aorist tense, passive voice, accusative case. 
The aorist tense presents an occurrence in summary, 
viewed as a whole from the outside. 
It may be helpful to think of the aorist as taking a snapshot of the action 
while the imperfect (like the present) takes a motion picture, 
portraying the action as it unfolds. 
Passive voice indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action. 


God is not in the process of justifying the ungodly; 
he accomplished this through a single sacrifice once and for all)

mirror translation
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Francois du Toit:

WRATH meaning:

"The word "wrath" is the Greek word orge, 
desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind) strong passion, 
many times it is seen as a violent rage, 
but can also be seen as God's constant yearning for man 
to discover the life of their design, 
which is to be found nowhere else but in Christ..." 
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Gentleness ...

"Gentleness as a Christian virtue is often closely related to kindness 
and is the opposite of being intrusive and obnoxious. 
It is exhibited in tenderness, softness, and the conscious exercise of loving caution in dealing with people. 
It is very concerned about “where other people are at” and seeks to befriend and come along side to help. 
It is not cowardly, however, but strong and caring. 
It shares the truth, listens attentively, and asks permission before blindly speaking into someone’s life."


- definition posted by Katherine Ruonala on facebook.


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" No longer do we stand on street corners, condemning people, 
being religious by pointing out how disappointed God is in them.
Now we can stand on those same corners blessing those same people 
with how much Jesus is for them, 
how much He loves them 
and how much He wants to heal their lives." 
- Katherine Ruonala


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I have been suspicious of the "self" part in self-control

interpretation for temperance (a fruit and virtue of the Spirit}.

The sobriety emphasis is an unsatisfactory meaning, as well.

In Katherine Ruonala's recent teaching on virtues, 

she illuminated from the Greek word a far better translation.

Egkrateia is used 3 times in the New Testament.

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, 
faith,meekness, temperance: 
against such there is no law. (G5:23) KJV


But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: 
love, joy, peace, 
patience, kindness, goodness, 
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. NLT


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... add to your faith virtue; 
and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; 
and to temperance patience; 
and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; 
and to brotherly kindness charity. (1P6) KJV


Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, 
and moral excellence with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control, 
and self-control with patient endurance, 
and patient endurance with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection, 
and brotherly affection with love for everyone. NLT


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And as [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, 

and judgment to come, Felix trembled, (A24:25) KJV

As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control 

and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. NLT

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Egkrateia is a synthesis of
ejn = a position in; a relation of rest in.
kratos = strength, power, might, dominion.


So this fruit and virtue, that Holy Spirit allows us to move in,
gives us a position of rest in His power and dominion.
By it we use His power without being aggressive.


We have the might of Jesus, 
when we use our dominion in a peaceful way.


Faced with righteousness by trusting resurrected Jesus,
a strong position of power and might to believers in rest,
and a judgment by Jesus to come,
it is now wonder Felix became frightened
in the presence of Spiritfilled Paul !


I love how this meaning takes away the "self" part of power
and the doing part of being sober minded.


It rightfully highlights the All Powerful one working through us.


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God is able to make all grace abound toward you

God (not man) is able to make all (the whole, total) 
grace abound toward you. (2Cor9:8)


cariß (grk) (noun,feminine)   Charis  khar'-ece   

GRACE that which establishes :-   joy,  pleasure,  delight,  sweetness,  charm,  loveliness:  words of love, good will,  loving-kindness,  favour, merciful kindness by which Christ  exerts his holy influence upon souls,  safety,  strength,  increase,  knowledge,  affection,  encouragement to exercise Christ's virtues, yieldingness to the Holy Spirit, benefits in the Spiritual gifts, benefit,  bounty, thankfulness,  recompense for loss,  un-earnt reward, blessing, concession, credit, gratitude, health, wellness, growth. N.B. It is God who establishes Grace not your personal self-disciplines.

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1Pet5:10


He is the God of all loving-favor and has called you through Christ Jesus to share His shining-greatness forever.

Keep a cool head ..... this generous God of ALL Grace has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!


 the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor]+

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authoritarians love to quote the "rule over you" of KJV

Salute all them that have the rule over you, 
and all the saints. (KJV)


( authoritarians love to quote the "rule over you" 
of this translation )
It is the only translation that emphasises "rule over".


Give our greetings to all of your spiritual leaders 
and to all of the saints. (AMP)


Salute all your prelates, and all the saints. (DRA)


Say hello to your pastoral leaders and all the congregations. (TM)


Greet ye well all your sovereigns, and all holy men 
[Greet well all your provosts, and all saints]. (WYC)


Salute all those leading you, and all the saints; (YLT)


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‎"Good shepherds do not treat people like sheep. 
They understand that shepherding is a metaphor, not an office. 
Shepherds are sheep also, 
and they need to lead people in the same manner 
as they themselves are led by the Lord." 
- Graham Cooke


‎"Part of our spiritual development must be founded 
on the freedom of the individual. 
Constraint without development is punishment. 
All around us people are learning about God and about themselves. 
It is vital to respect that learning, and as much as possible, 
empower people to love the learning process." 
- Graham Cooke




"The 99 have a problem with their own behaviour 
when the Good Shepherd leaves to find the one." - from FBK

Cults and un-healthy "churches" and organisations.

Information control; 

shaming;

intolerance;

elitism;

conspiracy fears;

shunning of individuals experiencing revelation.

These are traits of sick groups! 

(my twitter summary of below)

From  The Free Believers Network

‎

on  Facebook

1. Does your church [organisation] tightly control the flow of information within its ranks?

2. Do they use public shaming as a method to gain the compliance of followers?

3. Are your [spiritual] leaders intolerant of questions or critical inquiry?

4. Are your [spiritual] leaders the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation?

5. Do they have unreasonable fears about the outside world such as evil conspiracies or persecutions?

6. Are you discouraged to associate with former members, being warned that they are "evil" or  defiling"?

7. Is leaving your group to join another [organisation] church equal to leaving God [the cause]?

8. Does the surrounding community view your church [organisation] as exclusive (cultish)?

9. Does the organisation consider it evil persecution when criticized or questioned?

10. Do the goals of your [spiritual] leaders seem to supersede any personal goals or individual interests?

11. Do you fear being rebuked, shunned, or ignored for expressing a different opinion?

12. Do former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances?

If you answered "yes" to three or more, 

your church [organisation] is showing signs of being unhealthy. 

If you answered "yes" to six or more, your organisation is very unhealthy. 

If you answered "yes" to eight or more, your "church" [organisation] is more than likely a full-blown authoritarian cult.

[[ wow ...... i answered "yes" to at least 10 of these !!!

i was a participator in some these descriptions ... please forgive me people ...

Jesus has ..... YES ..... so grateful to Him.

Jesus got me out of this cult to which i felt indebted some years ago.

I have moved into the Joy of the Gospel of Grace ever since.  ]] 

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You could say that the religious are insane - but I think it’s worse than that, 

it’s insanity with a cause and a message. - Benjamin Dunn

The religious are caught in their own snare... that's punishment enough! - David Hynes

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Symptoms you may be suffering from a religious behavior management disorder:

1. You feel spiritual pressure to be a good Christian, 

rather than confidence that you are able to live from your new and supernaturally-strong heart.

2. The message you’re hearing from church leadership is chiefly about avoiding sin, rather than indulging the goodness of your new heart.

3. Fear of not living up to God’s or others’ expectations is stronger than your sense of God’s delight in you.

4. Spiritual heaviness.

5. You're constantly being asked by leadership to be more committed.

6. Every message is about getting you to do something, or to stop doing something.

7. The leadership is more concerned with managing people's sin, than releasing a new life that is now within them.

~ Ted Nelson posted by Free Believers Network on Facebook

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