When we say something has corroded, we mean that the natural form has begun to be eaten away – forming rust on metal, for example, or cruddy buildup on battery terminals – through moisture or some caustic material. I am no plumber or handyman, but I know corrosion is a natural process over time for plumbing or items left exposed to the elements.  

Romans 12:2 makes clear that corrosion of the soul is also a natural process. Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Through our interaction with the world and those in it, our souls accumulate pollutants that need to be purged, so our minds must be renewed regularly to avoid corrosion and corruption. 

One of the most lethal forms of spiritual corrosion is bitterness that leads to a grudge. I have never yet known a person who did not either hold a grudge against someone or felt he or she had a reason to. 

Yet examples and admonitions from Scripture show us why holding a grudge is wrong and how dangerous it can be in the life of a Christian:

• Bitterness that stems from being rebuked and evading responsibility instead of owning up to the truth. A Scriptural example is Herod’s murder of John the Baptist, who had excoriated the king for marrying his brother’s wife. If you are harboring bitterness because you are “suppressing the truth in unrighteousness,” it may be time to humbly admit your wrongness and seek reconciliation. 

• Bitterness from being wrongly attacked. Even false accusations are not grounds for Christians to harbor bitterness. Yet we are all prone to this corrosion in our walk with God, which is why bitterness and unforgiveness are so frequently addressed in the New Testament, and specifically why Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Luke 11:4 (ESV): “forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.” The reason we forgive someone is not because they deserve it because frankly, they do not. However, we forgive because God has forgiven us so much for Christ’s sake, which is also the message of the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:21-35. 

We often hear that life is to short to hold a grudge. Maybe the better way to think about it is that eternity is too long to hold a grudge. 

People regularly say, “I need to forgive people for my sake.” But the Biblical response is: “I need to forgive because God is worthy of my forgiving them.” 

So let us pray that we will forsake grudges by forgiving others for Christ’s sake because he has forgiven us. 

Soli Deo Gloria!