“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”—Hebrews 12:14-15
You can’t live in peace if your heart’s harboring bitterness. Hebrews makes it plain—God calls us to pursue peace in our relationships, not by keeping the drama down or pretending everything’s fine, but by living with holiness and sharing grace. Real peace isn’t passive—it takes effort, humility, and a willingness to forgive.
That kind of peace is forged in the fire of conflict and refined through the choice to let go rather than get even. It’s not weakness—it’s spiritual strength. And it’s a daily decision to walk in the Spirit, not your emotions, especially when bitterness feels justified.
Hebrews also exhorts believers to “Strive for peace with everyone…” (Hebrews 12:14). This does not mean that we are close friends with everyone and do not have healthy relational boundaries. Instead, it means that we seek “holiness” (Hebrews 12:14) and share the “grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15) with others so that there is not escalating vengeance but rather forgiveness.
The key theme of how to live as a person who has peace with God, peace with others, and enjoys the peace of God in their own life is to ensure “that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy…” (Hebrews 12:15-16)
Bitterness doesn’t just poison you—it spreads. If you want peace that lasts, you’ve got to rip out the root before it wrecks your life. Holiness, not hatred. Grace, not grudges. That’s the path to freedom—and it starts in your own heart. The peace you want tomorrow starts with the choice you make today—to forgive, to bless, and to let God deal with the rest.
What bitterness do you need to let go of so you can finally live in peace?
Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Visit https://realfaith.com/faq/ for privacy and terms info.
