Bitterness: The Root That Pollutes

Resources for Biblical Living

by Lou Priolo

When people treat you wrongly, insult you, or are outright sinful to you, how do you react? Are you satisfied to hold grudges against those who wrong you, as long as they don't lead to action? Unfortunately, your decision to harbor bitterness is just as much of a sin as the one originally committed against you, and your reaction to others' sin is a spiritual battle you are called on to win.

Lou Priolo focuses on that battle in this vital booklet that seeks to weed out the problem of bitterness. By offering a biblical definition and identifying its outward signs, the author equips you to recognize bitterness in your own life, and he lays out a scriptural plan to ensure victory by repaying others' evil with good. You will find grudges losing their grip as you focus instead on how to show love.

The Resources for Biblical Living booklet series addresses a wide range of practical life issues in a straightforward, down-to-earth, and, most of all, biblical manner.

Genres: Christian, Counselling, Nonfiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2008

About the author

LOU PRIOLO is the Director of Biblical Counseling at Eastwood Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A graduate of Calvary Bible College and Liberty University, he is the author of The Heart of Anger , and The Complete Husband. Lou is also a Fellow in the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors. He resides in Wetumpka, Alabama with his wife, Kim, and daughters, Sophia and Gabriella.

Reviews

[Angela Ross Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lagged purposely reading this book trying to avoid my own bitter well. Its a must read, study and commit to lesson I needed. If you share the same well, I suggest please dive into this guide and begin healing.

[Anete Ābola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Priolo. Concise. Very, very practical. Biblical. Worth reading, rereading and underlining. Best material on bitterness/offenses I have read.

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Full of scriptures & then how that would look in life. It’s a little book, but it packs a powerful punch!

[Annie Bruza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, convicting, and practical.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This booklet is VERY challenging. He has a particularly good discussion of what it means to "overcome evil with good", and argues that we need to give forethought as to how to overcome evil acts with good ones. In short, you will find a lot of solid, practical, and biblical advice as to how to combat bitterness in this booklet.

[Jessica Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short but concise book with a lot of solid, biblical counsel on the subject of bitterness.
Priolo doesn’t just address the outward fruit of bitterness but really gets at the root issues of the heart - pride, unforgiveness, and wrong thinking. I appreciated how practical he was in showing not just what bitterness is, but how to deal with it in a way that honors God.

One section I’ve had to pause over (and am maybe still working through) is his point that forgiveness is only to be granted when an actual sin has been committed, not just when feelings are hurt or expectations unmet.
It’s a helpful clarification that forgiveness isn’t meant to cover every annoyance or disappointment, but at the same time it left me thinking through what that looks like in real life - especially when hurt is caused unintentionally or without sin. I’m still pondering how forgiveness, forbearance, and compassion weave together. And how his ideas, taken to the extreme, seem unmerciful and unkind.

I also struggled with one of his examples near the end about a marriage conflict where the husband seemed like a controlling jerk and the wife overly emotional and he was using them to illustrate how the husband overcame bitterness to his wife by loving her well but it felt icky and really like they just needed some solid counseling on communication.

Overall, this book was direct, convicting, and useful.

Despite the couple issues I had with it, it is one I’d hand to anyone struggling with bitterness or wanting to guard against it but with the warning it felt a little like it was leaning toward legalism and perhaps a lack of grace and understanding of human nature.

**this is 1/4 books I am committed to reading on the subject of bitterness**

[Mercy Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good ; so convicting - completely necessary.

[LeaBeth | BookTime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book on overcoming bitterness from grief & loss. It’s actually more complex, and gives good example of how to deal with disappointment & grief biblically 🤍

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitterness can destroy a person--especially if they have been the target of manipulation. With the current events in national politics, the one who has studied the Constitutional documents and read original sources written by the men who lived and contributed to the founding of the country, it is easy to fall into a state of despair and bitterness. This booklet is a grand aid to imparting Biblical understanding of this sin and how to guard against it, overcome it and press on toward the heavenly goal in Christ Jesus.

[Jeffrey Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written! Short and powerful. Such a needed subject. Below are some personal takeaways I gleaned from this book:


Bitterness comes from not being able to forgive others.

God says that bitterness is a root, so there must be seeds. The seeds are usually a hurt.

How do you know if you are bitter or not? According to Proverbs 14:10, the heart knows its own bitterness — you know if you are bitter or not.

Bitterness is seen in multiple ways: you cannot resolve a conflict, cold shoulder or vindictive, outburst of anger (overreacting, emotionally), snide comments or remarks, speaking to someone as though they are inferior, mean joking, criticism, intolerance, hypersensitivity, impatience, endurance to our prayers, inability to love, God and others, etc.

Forgiveness is costly. It cost you the offense that you forgive.

The offense that you forgive, however bad it may seem to you, is not as bad as the sins Jesus forgave you for in salvation

God goes on record to say that He will remember your sins no more.

Forgiveness is not a feeling, it’s a promise. When you forgive, you are promising not to hold the offenses of the other person. This is what Jesus did for you.

Forgiveness is immediate. Trust takes time.

Forgetting is a result of forgiving.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

EX. CELL. ENT. A friend and I went through this book(let) together - it's from a biblical counseling series and it far exceeded my expectations! The author did a great job exhaustively breaking down what forgiveness truly is and the call of Christians to truly forgive the offender and to reciprocate with love and grace. AND DANG IF THAT'S NOT PAINSTAKINGLY HARD. But in our weakness, He is strong and only by the power of Christ could a Christian forgive in this way, and repeatedly do so.

I think this book is a great wake up call for all Christians, but more importantly, a well done resource for those struggling with bitterness and unforgiveness. It's such a short book that it can be read quickly or savored slowly, either way the benefits won't be in vain.

[librarian4Him02 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up because I'm trying to read all the "Book of the Month" recommendations from the pastors of our church. Priolo covers what bitterness looks like and how to prevent it forming in our hearts. He covers all scenarios from in-person to bitterness against God to how to love your offender "in abstentia."

I've had some life situations in the last few years that I didn't always handle well. I'm not bitte, but definitely don't want to become so. This book left me feeling equipped to prevent bitterness from forming in my soul. The "Loving in Abstentia" worksheet was particularly helpful.

Recommend those who struggle with bitterness in their heart.

[Hudson Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lou Priolo's book on bitterness is very short, but to the point. Tackling the root of bitterness and giving practical, Biblical steps to battle that root, Priolo's book was extremely helpful in seeing how Christians should deal with bitterness. I highly recommend.

[Jason Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, quick read on a serious topic.

[Pasteia Garth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw Truth

If you are ready to accept truth about bitterness told from a practical yet biblical perspective, this book is for you!

[Julie Havener · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t struggle with bitterness”, you say. We all struggle and have insidious ways we harbor and allow this into our hearts. It does great damage to relationships. This booklet is very helpful.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief (booklet size). Helpful and practical guidance. Biblical. Would've liked a more Christ-centered framework, Gospel-centered framework. But still useful.

[Victoria Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, impactful read.

[Bridgette's Place · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read but a great book. Full of scriptural backing. Not just personal thought or opinions, but sound Biblical teaching. I recommend this book.

[Beth Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential Reading!

Great pointers and reminders on keeping our attitudes and heart right with God when people hurt us and understanding how to overcome evil with good !

[Sabrina Easton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful resource

What a great resource. It is filled with practical tools for dealing with bitterness. It is applicable for all situations.

[Peggy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A resource that I use on a regular basis.