3.) Another way it shows is in sharp words. Sharp, cutting words. The word ‘bitter’ means literally ‘to be sharp’. When you hear sharp, cutting words, bitterness underlies it.
4.) It’s also seen by anger that’s suppressed. When a person’s bitter, they often hold anger underneath. You can literally feel their disapproval, but they’re not saying anything.
5.) Another way bitterness shows, is complaining. Complain this, complain that, and complain about something else. They can never rejoice and be thankful.
6.) So, another sign of bitterness is ingratitude; because underlying bitterness is anger and unforgiveness; unforgiveness is a demand. So, when a person is bitter, they can’t be grateful for what they have, there’s still a demand for what they don’t have.
7.) Another evidence of bitterness is blaming. It’s all you. You, you, you. That constant blaming, accusing people, is evidence of bitterness, and resentment, and anger.
8.) Another symptom of bitterness is the inability to congratulate other people on their success. So he gets promoted, “Oh, why did he get promoted. He doesn’t deserve it.” There’s an ability to celebrate the victories of other people.
You ask the person “I think you’re bitter.” “No. Why are you saying this to me?” So, I used that just as an example, to show you that: what is in the heart, will find a way out. These are some of the evidence of bitterness, which is like a root that defiles. So, I just use it to illustrate that if things are in your heart, they find their way out. No matter how much you try to pretend and make your life look good, it flows out; and if you’re spiritually sensitive, you can often feel it. It’s like there’s a tension around the person.
We’ve established then, that whatever’s in your heart will flow out into life. I want to just share with you then, some typical bondages of the heart; and then what do you do to deal with each one of them, because demons will attach to these bondages of the heart and intensify them. It’s very helpful, when you’re ministering people, to be aware you have to deal with heart issues. Here’s a list of some of the ones I have commonly found – bondages that affect the heart of people, and affect their lives. Later on we’ll talk about trauma as something specifically separate.
Number one: Ungodly Soul-Ties. A soul-tie is a bonding between one person and another. It holds them in close connection. It is a bonding between people. God intends that we be connected, and bond to other people. So, bonding is a very important aspect in life. For example, a child needs to bond with its mother, or it never forms secure relationships. So, bonding is the very first skill a child must learn. Bond with the mother; and of course later, it leads to learn to separate.
When they’re up to about 15 months, they cling to mum; and they breast-feed, they’re looked after. Then, about 2 years old, they become independent. “No, no. I want me.” All these kinds of things; but this is normal development. If the child doesn’t bond with the mother - and sometimes happens if the mother attempted an abortion, or didn’t want the child - then the child has difficulties all through its life, and forms ungodly attachments to try to meet this insecurity. A soul tie then, is a bonding between two people; and the bonding can be very positive and helpful, or it can be ungodly.
Examples that are healthy include: the mother and the child; husband and a wife; members of a church; friends, close friends. So, the bonding is good; it’s an attachment that enables you to have close connections. So, we can be bonded. We’re made to be bonded and have relationships.