See To It

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15

“See to it!” Instructions from my grandmother were often followed by these three short but certain words. No dawdling permitted. No delay allowed. Hasten to the task and don’t halt until it is done. Back in the day, I didn’t realize she was repeating a command from Scripture, but here in Hebrews we find the same directive. “See to it.” See to what? Which issues beg such a strong imperative from God? Bitterness and grace. “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many”(Heb. 12:15).

Many seeds want to sprout in our hearts. The circumstances and situations of life toss all kinds of attitudes and emotions into the soil of our souls. The ones we allow to take root are the ones which will run (and often ruin) our lives. If we allow bitterness to burrow in, we end up in a big mess because bitterness “grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

To keep this from happening, we must first see to our soil. Envy, insecurity, and anger create a fertile environment for rapid growth. When don’t get what we want or what we think we’re due, when others we feel are less deserving end up with something we should have—or something they shouldn’t have, or when we’ve been hurt, disappointed, and betrayed, we must make sure the seed doesn’t start to sprout. In the off-limits list of Ephesians we’re told to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice”(Eph. 4:31). Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness “just as in Christ God forgave you” are offered in the follow-up verse as exterminators to such evils. Bitterness cannot grow in the soil of grace.

But if in our frustration we miss God’s grace and mire ourselves in self-pity or self-righteousness, the bitterness that began below the surface will quickly spring up for all to see—for a bitter root produces bitter fruit. Our words will taste of negativity and criticism. Our attitudes will be sour with irritation and disdain. We will keep a long record of wrongs, be quick to point out the faults of others, and will hesitate to celebrate the successes of those around us. Our bitterness will “cause trouble and defile many” as its roots twist and tangle our hearts in a chokehold of resentment and cynicism.

Don’t let the root of bitterness get grounded and grow. Squash the seed before it sprouts, and pluck the plant while it is small. God’s grace is too great to miss, and being bitter only makes a mess.

Do what my grandmother said—“See to it!”