Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges
Week 13: Chapter 12 — The Weeds of Anger: Resentment, Bitterness, Grudges, and Revenge
Read Chapter 12 of Respectable Sins. Key Scripture: Hebrews 12:15; Ephesians 4:31–32; Matthew 18:21–35.
Previewing Week 13 of Respectable Sins
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 21-week guide when you’re ready.
If chapter 11 addressed anger in its acute form, chapter 12 turns to its chronic forms — the long-term sins that grow when anger is never dealt with.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Bridges describes resentment, bitterness, grudges, and the desire for revenge as 'weeds of anger' — what grows when anger is not repented of and resolved. Which of these four tends to be your default when you are hurt or wronged?
2.Hebrews 12:15 warns about a 'bitter root' that grows up and 'causes trouble and defiles many.' How does bitterness in one person affect an entire family, church, or community? Have you seen this defilement happen?
3.Bridges is honest that some of us are nursing bitterness over genuinely serious wounds — betrayal, abuse, injustice. He does not minimize those wounds. How does he hold together taking the wound seriously while still calling bitterness sin?