Bitter vs. Kind

Ephesians 4:31-32 [31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Bitterness is actually very selfish.  

It is when you have been wronged and all you can think about is how it affected you.  You keep that hurt alive by continuing to be bitter.  If you have a reason to be offended and become bitter, remember it only will hurt you.  It won't actually harm the one you are bitter towards. 

Reading these two verses together in context brings out a whole new meaning.  

I have heard the 'be ye kind' often, but not necessarily when you are talking about those who have wronged you.  

Here we are instructed to let go of: bitterness, wrath, anger, evil speaking, and malice.  

We are then told to: be kind, be tenderhearted, forgive.  

We must remember how Christ forgave us.