I was talking with a friend last week who is struggling with some newly manifested physical issues, and it became clear to her that these were related to old, painful childhood memories that she did not realize were still present. How many of us struggle with issues and do not realize these have their roots deeply buried in the recesses of our mind, and because we have done such a good job of burying them, we think they are gone.
Hebrews 12:15 warns us about resentment and bitterness, saying they will “defile” many. In the TDNTA, we get an interesting explanation of what “defile” really means. It says, “miaínō. a. Neutrally this word means “to paint in color.” b. Censoriously it means “to stain,” first literally, then in a cultic sense, i.e., with guilt or demonic processes.” To be stained with demonic process should give us serious concern because we can, unknowingly, open our lives up to the devil’s activity or intrusion, resulting in many physical and relational issues.
What does this look like? It looks like hidden emotions that manifest in outward fruit that continue to cause self-harm and harm to others. Carried long enough, then our physical bodies will break down, and sickness can result because we have carried this inner destructive emotion, and we all know the “body keeps the score. ” (Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.)
How many reports have we heard of others who have struggled, even unknowingly, with unforgiveness or bitterness, and who, once they let go of the root cause, experience healing in their physical body? How many God-loving people can’t seem to explain why they cannot get healed, only to realize they have been treating the fruit instead of the root? How many marriages and relationships fall apart because of repeatedly manifesting issues that originate from unhealed areas in their lives? A buried sense of victimization leads to mistrust, accusations, abuse, rejection, fear, and shame, creating walls and divisions among people.
So much hatred and pain are perpetrated from generation to generation because of unhealed wounds. Generations carry deeply buried, century-old prejudices, while the devil will callously use others to stir up the pain of those misused and abused, and continue the stain of division of generations of people against each other.
As my friend is doing, she is placing it all at the feet of Jesus and recounting memory by memory as the Holy Spirit brings these buried roots of destruction to the surface. She is allowing the Holy Spirit to pull out each one entirely, leaving no shred of evidence that it remains. Much like weeds in our lawns, these must be pulled up by the roots and not just repeatedly cut back when we see them manifest.
We cannot afford to hold unforgiveness or bitterness in our hearts because God needs His church to be healthy for the days ahead. If our hearts are filled with resentment, then we will “stain” others with the offenses we carry. Our view gets distorted and we begin to see everything though the lens of this pain. And, eventually, it will take its toll on our physical body. We must clear our heart of all that offends God and we will see how quickly all else will come into place.
Holy Spirit only reveals to heal and never to condemn. There will always be those who misjudge you, accuse you, or even lie about you, but it is critical that these offenses not be allowed to take root in our hearts. Otherwise, we too will become the one who offends, causing deeper harm to others and ourselves, and grieving the Holy Spirit in our life.
I pray that we could have eyes like Jesus and understand the pain of others without allowing ourselves to be victims in the process. I pray that we can discern without judging and love without enabling. Only then can we find healing and wholeness for ourselves and others.
