Jesus Christ Renews us when we take a drink
Christ is our sweet water. He satisfies our thirst for love, justice, compassion, and understanding. He hydrates our spirit and maximizes our spiritual growth. Sweet water is not really sweet; it’s fresh water. Simply put: is good to drink and completely satisfying.
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’” John 4:13-14 (NKJV) (Samarian woman)
“And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.’” Revelation 21:6 (NKJV)
His Water Is More Important
We all need water to live, both in body and spirit. As adults, over 60% of our bodies are made up of water. Every living cell needs water to keep it functioning. Water makes minerals and nutrients accessible and our digestive system depends on it! Spiritually speaking, we need God’s word to digest the good and bad things in life.
There is also something called bitter water. This is most likely natural mineral water containing Epsom salts. It is not drinkable and does not satisfy or nourish the body. Bitter water is not what God provided when we accepted Him as Lord.
If we are filled to the brim with the sweet water, not a single drop of bitter water will soil the ground or hurt those around us. Adversities and trials are challenging! Our perspective and attitude in the midst of a hardship will show the true condition of our heart. We always have a choice to accept God’s will as good and perfect or bitterly question and curse Him for our discomfort. (Consider the story of Job and his refusal to curse God. Job 2:9-10)
“So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” Exodus 15:22-25a (NKJV)
Bitterness Has The Ability To Defile Us Spiritually
The Bible tells us that bitterness has the ability to defile us spiritually. Bitterness is the same as resentment, an emotion that encompasses both anger and hate. Both of these emotions are powerful tools the enemy capitalizes on as they can certainly soil our spiritual condition. The Bible compares bitterness to poison and calls it sinful. It also has the ability to defile others.
“For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” Acts 8:23 (NKJV)
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.”
Hebrews 12:14-15 (NKJV)
Our Words Have The Power To Bless, Heal, Or Wound
With our tongues, we sing songs of worship glorifying God then turn around and curse others. We speak words of love and encouragement one moment but then gossip deceitfully about our family and friends. Sweet water and bitter water both come from our mouth.
Although the tongue is impossible to tame, we must strive to harness it! Our conversations should be filled with love, truth, and grace. Like Christ, our words have the power to bless, heal, or wound. Let us edify the Body of Christ today by speaking words that are from a well of fresh water. Set aside all bitterness today and refresh those around you.
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. James 3:10-13 (NKJV)
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each other.” Colossians 4:6 (NKJV)
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38 (NKJV)
“For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.” ~ Amy Carmichael