After being battered in a life storm, we come out better when we resist being bitter! There are times when we publicize our problems with an individual, entity, or group to arouse sympathy for our cause from the listening public. Although we may have been battered by the problem, the batterer remains silent, and by doing so gains more sympathy from the spectators.
The squeaky wheel does not always get the oil. To author a book about problems we have endured, can not just lead to us experiencing more of the same, but an escalated version thereof. Never mind that we think it better or therapeutic to do so, it becomes more a testament of our bitterness. The silent wrongdoers are well regarded in their silence, and are known only by the public because you inform them.
From the public point of view, who tells the truth these days? Not many, for the only truths that can be relied upon are from God. Because deception flourishes in the world, and most things have been falsified, revised, and/or tainted from its original version. The public cannot with certainty be sure what is true or not.
The evil enemy of the world often inhabits on both sides of a dispute playing each end, to create confusion. It is like having an evil friend who whispers in your ear against truth, that keeps the fighting going. Though they whisper and remain veiled in secrecy, their words influence more than those whose truth is spoken publically.
Trusting in God is like finding friendship and love in one person. After being battered by man, we come out better if we do not, come out bitter.
Isaiah 24:12
New International Version
12 “The city is left in ruins, its gate is battered to pieces.”
Isaiah 24:12
King James Version
12 “In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.”
Isaiah 24:12
Living Bible
12 “The city is left in ruins; its gates are battered down.”
Deuteronomy 19:15
New International Version
Witnesses
15 “One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Deuteronomy 19:15
King James Version
15 “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”
Deuteronomy 19:15
Living Bible
15 “ “Never convict anyone on the testimony of one witness. There must be at least two, and three is even better.”
Ecclesiastes 7:26
New International Version
26 “I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.”
Ecclesiastes 7:26
King James Version
26 “And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.”
Ecclesiastes 7:26
Living Bible
26 “A prostitute is more bitter than death. May it please God that you escape from her, but sinners don’t evade her snares.”
Numbers 5:24
New International Version
24 “He shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and this water that brings a curse and causes bitter suffering will enter her.”
Numbers 5:24
King James Version
24 “And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter.”
Numbers 5:24
Living Bible
24 “(When he requires the woman to drink the water, it becomes bitter within her if she is guilty.)”