Resentment is an emotional response characterized by feelings of anger, bitterness, or indignation due to perceived wrongs or injustices. In the context of biblical teachings, resentment is often seen as a destructive emotion that can hinder one's relationship with God and others. The Bible provides guidance on how to deal with resentment and encourages believers to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.

Biblical References:

1. Ephesians 4:31-32 : "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This passage emphasizes the importance of removing bitterness and anger from one's life and instead adopting a spirit of kindness and forgiveness. Resentment is included in the broader category of negative emotions that believers are urged to discard.

2. Hebrews 12:15 : "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many." The "root of bitterness" can be understood as resentment, which, if allowed to grow, can lead to spiritual and relational harm. The verse warns against allowing such feelings to take hold, as they can disrupt community and personal peace.

3. Matthew 5:23-24 : "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." Jesus teaches the importance of reconciliation and resolving conflicts before engaging in worship. Resentment can be a barrier to true worship and must be addressed through reconciliation.

4. Colossians 3:13 : "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This verse underscores the call to forgive others as an antidote to resentment. The model of divine forgiveness serves as a guide for interpersonal relationships, encouraging believers to let go of grievances.

Theological Insights:

Resentment is often linked to a lack of forgiveness and an unwillingness to let go of past hurts. The Bible consistently calls believers to forgive others, reflecting the forgiveness they have received from God. This act of forgiveness is not only a command but also a means of freeing oneself from the bondage of negative emotions.

The teachings of Jesus, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, highlight the importance of maintaining pure and loving relationships with others. Resentment, as a form of unresolved anger, can lead to further sin and disrupt the harmony within the body of Christ.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their hearts for any lingering resentment and to seek reconciliation with those they may hold grievances against. Prayer and reflection on Scripture can aid in this process, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in transforming hearts and minds.

In community settings, fostering an environment of open communication and mutual understanding can help prevent the growth of resentment. Church leaders and members alike are called to model forgiveness and grace, promoting a culture of love and unity.

By addressing resentment through biblical principles, believers can experience greater peace and spiritual growth, aligning their lives more closely with the teachings of Christ.1. (v. t.) To take ill; to consider as affront; to be indignant at.

2. (v. t.) To be sensible of; to feel

3. (v. t.) In a good sense, to take well; to receive with satisfaction.

4. (v. t.) To express or exhibit displeasure or indignation at, as by words or acts.

5. (v. t.) To recognize; to perceive, especially as if by smelling; -- associated in meaning with sent, the older spelling of scent to smell. See Resent, v. i.

6. (v. i.) To feel resentment.

7. (v. i.) To give forth an odor; to smell; to savor.

Archaisms in the Hymns
... [37]. RESENT. My inmost bowels shalt resent. The yearnings of Thy dying love. ... 'Tis
by my touch alone that you resent. What objects yield delight, what discontent ...
/.../iii archaisms in the hymns.htm

Twentieth Day. Not Retaliating.
... ii.23. What a common dictate of the fallen and regenerate heart to resent
and recriminate! How ... the chastisement. Does he resent it? He ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twentieth day not retaliating.htm

On Re-Reading My Protest, which I Honestly Think Much Needed...
... If we resent this about remote saints and heroes, we should resent it more about
the many saints and heroes of the slums, whose unclean hands cleanse the world ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 48 on re-reading my.htm

The Timber
... Were still alive"thou dost great storms resent [134]. ... Footnotes: [134] storms
resent, apparently means that the trunk groans or twists. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxxii the timber.htm

Early Days
... Think of how many times you may have grinned, cowardly, at a gross remark or shady
story of a comrade - because you were not fighter enough to resent it! ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter iii early days.htm

The Lord Our Dwelling Place
... It is a tiger's impulse to resent an injury. ... But to resent an injury is not her
strongest impulse. Watch those impotent kitten creatures playing with her. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 8 the lord our.htm

Ephesians iv. 31, 32
... and it is matter of reproach and scorn for a man who is well-treated not to return
it; whilst for a man who is ill-treated, not to go about to resent it, this ...
/.../homily xvi ephesians iv 31.htm

Scholars of Christ.
... through and steal." One of the chief things which we learnt in the world's
lesson-book was to mistrust our fellow men, and to be ready to resent an injury ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon liv scholars of christ.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... sheltered from the shocks of life by a stupid insensibility; who have, either by
nature or art, the virtue of stocks and stones, and resent nothing, because ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 22 upon our lords.htm

Christ the Light of the World.
... But this we commonly resent, and crave a guidance which shall approve itself to
our own judgment and yet be infallible; which shall leave us our freedom of ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xviii christ the light of.htm

Resent (1 Occurrence)
... See Resent, vi. 6. (vi) To feel resentment. 7. (vi) To give forth an odor; to smell;
to savor. Multi-Version Concordance Resent (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/resent.htm - 7k

Resen (1 Occurrence)

/r/resen.htm - 9k

Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... Any preacher among us would resent being bound by such an inference. And
if we resent this for ourselves, how chary we should be ...
/j/jonah.htm - 35k

Resentful (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Inclined to resent; easily provoked to anger;
irritable. Multi-Version Concordance Resentful (3 Occurrences). ...
/r/resentful.htm - 7k

Resented (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Resent. Multi-Version Concordance
Resented (1 Occurrence). Acts 7:27 "But the man who was ...
/r/resented.htm - 6k

Stomach (40 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Pride; haughtiness; arrogance. 6. (vt) To resent; to remember with anger;
to dislike. 7. (vt) To bear without repugnance; to brook. ...
/s/stomach.htm - 19k

Abner (54 Occurrences)
... It was certainly an act of treason which Ishbosheth was bound to resent. The
disgruntled general made overtures to David; he won over the tribe of Benjamin. ...
/a/abner.htm - 30k

Judith (1 Occurrence)
... This was intended probably to disarm the criticism of enemies who might resent
any writing in which they were painted in unfavorable colors. ...
/j/judith.htm - 27k

Backslide
... Any preacher among us would resent being bound by such an inference. And
if we resent this for ourselves, how chary we should be ...
/b/backslide.htm - 88k

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