Pursuing peace & avoiding bitterness won't happen by accident
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 21
- 13 min read
Updated: Sep 3
Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 14 and 15
The Main Message: A healthy Christian life requires an offensive strategy of actively pursuing peace and holiness, and a defensive strategy of vigilantly guarding your heart against the spiritual poison of bitterness.
Quick Note: We're making a small change to our study guides to better serve our international users.
We've found that our audible translation tool, which is popular with listeners in India and Kenya, has been misreading the chapter and verse references. For example, it would read "Hebrews 12:14-15" as "Hebrews 12 o'clock and 15 minutes."
To fix this, we are adjusting the formatting so the tool reads the verses correctly. If you notice a change in how the chapters and verses are written from now on, that's why!
Ever been on a team that fell apart?
Imagine you're part of a team, and this team is on a long, grueling journey. You've been through a lot together—victories, defeats, and shared struggles. Suddenly, a few members start to get resentful. They're upset about a past mistake, a perceived injustice, or a difficult challenge. They don't talk about it openly, but their frustration festers, poisoning their attitude. They start to snipe at other teammates, gossip behind their backs, and refuse to cooperate.
The team starts to fall apart. The very things that made you a team—trust, communication, and shared purpose—are now being eroded by this internal bitterness. The team can no longer function, and the mission is in jeopardy, not because of an external threat, but because of a toxic attitude from within.
This is the spiritual scene the author of Hebrews is describing. He's writing to a community of believers on a difficult journey of faith, and he knows that the greatest threat isn't the persecution from the outside, but the poison of bitterness from the inside. He urges them, and us, to be proactive about our spiritual health and the health of our community.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews chapter 12, verses 14 and 15 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Setting the Scene: Hebrews chapter 12, verses 14 and 15
As we continue in Hebrews, the author issues a stern warning, urging his readers to be vigilant in their faith. In verse 14, he urges them to "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." The Greek word for "strive," diōkō, is a very active and intentional word. As N.T. Wright points out in his commentary, Hebrews for Everyone, it implies an intense pursuit, like a runner chasing a prize or a hunter pursuing prey. This isn't a passive hope but an active pursuit of peace and holiness, two necessary components of our faith walk. The pursuit of peace is about maintaining right relationships with those around us, while the pursuit of holiness is about being set apart for God, a requirement for truly experiencing His presence.
Pursuing Peace
The command to "strive for peace with everyone" is a radical call. The word diōkō doesn't mean passively waiting for peace to happen; it means to actively pursue it, to chase after it, and to work hard for it. This is a vital component of the Christian life. Jesus himself called us to be peacemakers in Matthew chapter 5, verse 9, stating, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans chapter 12, verse 18: "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." This highlights that while we cannot control the actions of others, we have a clear responsibility to do everything in our power to foster and maintain peace.
This pursuit of peace is not merely about the absence of conflict but the presence of right relationships. It means actively seeking reconciliation, extending forgiveness, and choosing understanding over judgment. It requires a profound sense of humility, a willingness to listen, and a heart that mirrors the grace we have received from Christ. In a world full of division and discord, the Christian who actively pursues peace becomes a powerful and compelling witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Rabbit Trail 1: Pursuing Peace with Whom?
The author of Hebrews was primarily concerned with believers pursuing peace within their own Christian community, but the command itself extends to all people. While the letter's immediate context is a warning to a specific group of Christians to persevere and avoid internal conflict, the language used—"strive for peace with everyone" (πάντων in Greek)—is universal. The nuanced direction is that the Christian is called to pursue peace as a core part of their walk, with the most critical and often most difficult application beginning within the faith community and then extending to all people.
Nuanced Direction: The distinction between pursuing peace with fellow Christians versus all people matters because it reveals a two-fold responsibility.
Peace within the Community: The primary proving ground for a Christian's faith is within their own spiritual family. The letter to the Hebrews warns against internal strife and bitterness that can "defile many." An unhealthy, contentious church or faith community is a poor witness to the world. Therefore, a Christian's first priority is to actively seek reconciliation and forgiveness with their brothers and sisters in Christ. This internal peace is a foundation for everything else.
Peace with All People: The commands from Jesus and Paul reinforce the universal nature of this calling. Jesus's call to be peacemakers (Matthew chapter 5, verse 9) is a characteristic of those who belong to the Kingdom of God. It is not limited to a specific group. Similarly, Paul's advice in Romans chapter 12, verse 18, "if it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men," puts the burden on the believer to do their part in fostering peace with everyone they encounter. This demonstrates the transformative power of the Gospel and is a vital part of a Christian's witness to a world in conflict.
Understanding this difference is vital because it prevents two dangerous extremes. One is focusing so much on internal peace that the Christian community becomes an exclusive, insular group. The other is focusing on external peace while ignoring unresolved conflicts within the church, which ultimately undermines the foundation of their faith and mission.
Pursuing Holiness
The second part of the command is to strive "for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." This is a bold statement and a concept often misunderstood. Biblical holiness is not about a checklist of dos and don'ts, or a feeling of being morally superior. The root meaning of the word holiness is to be set apart or separated. In this context, it means being set apart for God's purposes and reflecting His nature. 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 15 and 16 makes this clear: "as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.'" Our pursuit of holiness is a response to God's character and an imitation of it.
Why is this so important? The author states that without holiness, "no one will see the Lord." This is not a reference to a distant glimpse, but to a personal and intimate communion with God.
Just as a relationship requires trust and a shared vision, our relationship with God requires us to align our lives with His character. Holiness is the avenue through which we draw near to Him and truly experience His presence. This pursuit is not something we accomplish on our own, but is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in cooperation with our own discipline and obedience.
Rabbit Trail 2: Do You Really Understand What Bitterness Is?
What is Bitterness? In plain terms, bitterness is poison. It's not just a feeling of being annoyed or slightly upset. It's a deep, unhealed wound that has festered into a cynical, resentful, and unforgiving attitude. It's the emotional equivalent of a splinter left in the skin that becomes infected. Over time, that infection poisons the whole body.
The author uses the phrase "a root of bitterness" (Hebrews chapter 12, verse 15) for a reason. . A root is hidden beneath the surface, unseen. It grows slowly, drawing nourishment from the soil of unhealed hurts, unfair circumstances, and unforgiven slights. While the root itself is hidden, its effects are not. It "springs up" as anger, sharp words, gossip, and a lack of peace that becomes visible to everyone.
The people the author of Hebrews was writing to were likely facing immense pressure to abandon their faith, and their bitterness was a deep-seated anger or resentment that had soured their hearts and was at risk of poisoning their entire community. This strong warning was included because the author knew that this unresolved bitterness could lead them to turn their backs on the very grace of God they had received.
What Were They Bitter About? The original readers of Hebrews were facing significant hardship. They were a persecuted minority, likely experiencing social rejection, the loss of property, and even imprisonment for their faith (Hebrews chapter 10, verses 32 through 34). For some, embracing Christianity meant a complete break from their family, culture, and religious traditions. They were outsiders in a world that had once been familiar.
It's easy to see how bitterness could take root. They could have been bitter at their former friends and family who now mocked them, bitter at the society that ostracized them, or even bitter at God for allowing such suffering. Their old way of life—Judaism—was seen as honorable and secure, while their new faith was causing them immense pain. This created a strong temptation to give up and return to what they had left behind.
Why Was the Author So Concerned? The author of Hebrews was worried because he knew that this individual bitterness wasn't a private matter; it was a spiritual contagion. Just as a single person with an infectious disease can sicken an entire community, one bitter person in a church can spread their resentment and cynicism to others. He feared that this poison would "defile many" and lead the entire community astray.
This is tied directly to the idea of "failing to obtain the grace of God." This doesn't mean they weren't good enough to get grace. It means they were actively turning away from it. God's grace offers forgiveness, peace, and healing for our hurts. Bitterness is the refusal to accept that offer. It is a choice to hold onto the hurt instead of the healing, thereby walking away from the gift of grace. The author's strong warning was his way of saying, "Don't let your pain cause you to reject God's antidote."
What the Original Audience Understood? The original audience would have immediately understood this warning because the imagery was so familiar from the Old Testament. The phrase "root of bitterness" comes from Deuteronomy chapter 29, verse 18, where Moses warns the Israelites that if any of them turn away from the Lord to worship other gods, they would become a root of poison in the community.
The author of Hebrews is essentially saying: "Remember what happened when Israel turned away? The same spiritual danger is right here, among you. You might not be worshipping a literal idol, but if you let bitterness take root, you are effectively turning your heart away from the living God. You are choosing the poison of your resentment over the life-giving grace of Jesus. Don't be that person. Don't let your unaddressed hurt drag others away with you." They would have grasped that this was a life-or-death warning for their spiritual health and the health of their community.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
What are the key differences between passive peacekeeping and actively pursuing peace? Can you identify a current relationship where you need to move from passive to active peacemaking?
Holiness is about being "set apart" for God. In what areas of your life (e.g., your relationships, your work, your digital life) do you need to intentionally set yourself apart for God's purposes?
Considering the communal nature of the warning in verse 15, how can a local church or small group proactively guard against the spread of bitterness among its members? What practical steps can you take to contribute to the health of your community?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
The author of Hebrews warns that a single "bitter root" can cause trouble and defile many. In our modern context, how can a lack of peace or an unaddressed bitterness within an individual impact a small group or an entire church? How can our Journey Group be a place where we can confess these things and find support and accountability to uproot them?
How to Apply These Lessons from Hebrews Today:
The message in Hebrews chapter 12, verses 14 and 15 is a powerful call to personal and communal responsibility. For the modern Christian, living this out requires a proactive, strategic approach in three key areas:
1. Pursue Peace (Starting with Other Christians)
This is the foundational work. The author’s main concern was the health of the community, so our first priority should be to seek reconciliation within the family of faith.
What it looks like: You're in a Bible study group, and a fellow member says something that feels offensive or judgmental. You feel the urge to get defensive, correct them sharply, or complain to others in the group.
How to apply: Instead of letting the hurt fester, you decide to pursue peace. You approach the person privately and say something like, "Hey, I was a bit bothered by something that was said in the study today. I might have misunderstood, but could we talk about it?" This shows a willingness to seek understanding and reconciliation rather than letting bitterness take root. It’s not about winning an argument; it’s about preserving the relationship.
2. Pursue Holiness (In Your Own Life)
Holiness isn't a vague, unattainable ideal. It's the daily, conscious choice to be "set apart" for God, moving away from what is worldly and toward what is divine.
What it looks like: You spend a lot of time on social media, constantly comparing yourself to others' seemingly perfect lives, which leads to envy and discontent. Or you frequently find yourself engaging in gossip at work or in your social circles.
How to apply: This is a call to action. You can pursue holiness by setting a clear boundary: "I'm going to set aside the first 15 minutes of my day for prayer and scripture reading before I check my phone or email." Or you might make a commitment to intentionally redirecting conversations away from gossip, saying something like, "That's a tough situation for them. I'm going to pray for them." These are practical steps that set your life apart from the world's common patterns and align it with God's character.
3. Guard Against Bitterness (In Your Own Heart)
Bitterness is a spiritual poison that can contaminate everything. You have a personal responsibility to "see to it" that this root does not spring up in your own life.
What it looks like: A coworker gets a promotion you believe you deserved. You feel a deep sense of injustice and find yourself replaying the event in your mind, fantasizing about how to get revenge or silently criticizing them to anyone who will listen. You might even start to believe that God has been unfair to you.
How to apply: This is the defensive work. You must be proactive in addressing this toxic emotion. The key is to take the hurt to God, not to let it consume you. In prayer, you can say, "Lord, I am so angry and hurt by this. I feel like this was unfair. Please help me to forgive. I lay this hurt at Your feet and ask You to help me see this person with Your eyes." By choosing to intentionally release the hurt and seek God's grace, you are actively cutting off the bitter root before it can poison your soul and spread to others.
Join a Journey Group
This is a great starting point for discussion, but remember that the power of a Journey Group is in the relationships. Don't stop at talking about these things. Take the next step and make a commitment to your group. You are not meant to face the challenges of peace, holiness, and bitterness alone. These are best fought in community. Your group is where you find the accountability and support to truly live out these commands in your daily life.
Go to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about joining one or even starting your own.
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I have just learned Avery important message to pause peace and mentain holiness I think I needed that kind of message