Did you hear about the plumber who was called to fix a leak at the doctor’s house? The two minute job cost $200.  The doctor was aghast. "I don't charge that much and I am a doctor.” The plumber replied, “I didn’t make that much when I was a doctor either.  That’s why I became a plumber.”  What we need in the church today are plumbers who are also doctors.  Let me explain.

Years ago we had a problem with the drain from the house to the sewer.  So we called a plumber.  We soon learned that the problem was due to the roots of trees growing into the pipe.  The plumber could use the rotor rooter to temporarily improve the situation, and it would have to be done often.  Otherwise the contents of the drain would backup into the house, defiling the house and all who were in it.  If we didn’t do the maintenance often, the plumber explained, we would have to cut down the offending tree, dig up the yard and replace the drainpipe.  I found it interesting that a cast iron drainpipe was no match for the encroaching penetrating power of roots. 

The Bible warns us of the power of encroaching, penetrating roots.  See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled (Hebrews 12:15).

The words springing up are from the Greek word which depicts a little plant that is just starting to sprout and grow. It isn't a large plant yet; rather, it's a small seedling that is just breaking through the soil and starting to peek out at the world. However, the very fact that it's peeking through the soil means there is a seed hidden in the soil producing this new life.

This is a very significant picture. It tells us that bitterness doesn't overwhelm us all at once. Instead, it grows a little here and a little there until it finally becomes a huge, ugly growth that defiles our entire lives. Bitterness usually starts peeking up out of the depths of our souls in the form of negative thoughts about another person or a sour, sharp, distrusting, cynical attitude toward someone who has offended us. If the root is not quickly uprooted and removed, that bitterness will eventually become a full-blown tree that produces bitter, wounding, hurtful, and scornful fruit for everyone who eats of it.

You may have a serious problem with a root of bitterness and not even be aware of it. Because roots are underground, they can’t be seen.  All of us have a network of roots growing inside of us.  And all of us have the seeds of bitterness planted into our souls.  That’s because we all have feelings, and those feelings get hurt. When hurt feelings are not properly treated, the injury will never heal. The open wound will become infected and lead to bitterness. 

There’s no heading in the yellow pages for “Doctors and Plumbers” but that’s exactly what we need.  We need spiritual doctors to treat the infected wounds in our soul, and we need spiritual plumbers to make sure that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble.