Sycamine Tree ~ Part III

Today we are going to cover Part III.  If you missed Part 1 and Part II you can catch up.

I also found this quote and thought it went along well with Part 1 but will go with the whole lesson.

Please keep in mind my (DISCLAIMER:  I know nothing of Rick Renner or Rick Renner Ministries.  I am in no way promoting them, only using this writing of his that was very good.)   And that all MY (and things the teacher added) thoughts will be in italics.
Part III

2.  The sycamine tree's wood was the preferred wood for building caskets.

In Egypt and the Middle East, the sycamine tree was considered to be the preferred wood for building caskets and coffins.  It grew quickly and in nearly any environment, making it accessible in many different places.  It also grew best in dry conditions - the kind of conditions for which the Middle East is famous.  These are two reasons sycamine wood was used in so many  places for building caskets and coffins.

Again, we can see why this illustration of the sycamine tree is so ideal for portraying bitterness and unforgiveness.  Just as the sycamine tree grew very quickly, so does bitterness and unforgiveness.  In fact, it doesn't take too long at all for these evil forces to get out of control and start taking over the whole place!  When these fast-growing and ugly attitudes are allowed to grow freely, they not only spoil the condition of your own heart, but they ruin your relationships with other people.

Also, just as the sycamine tree grew easily in every environment, so does bitterness.  It doesn't matter where people are from, where they live, what kind of cultural background they grew up in, or what level of society they belong to - bitterness and unforgiveness grow in human hearts everywhere, for they are universal in their scope of evil influence.

The sycamine tree grew best where little rain fell and water was sparse.  Isn't this just like bitterness and unforgiveness?  These negative attitudes flourish where spiritually dry conditions exist.  You can almost count on finding bitterness and unforgiveness growing and blossoming where there is no repentance, no joy, and no fresh rain of the Spirit.  (If you have no moisture in your soul you can just about guarantee to find bitterness.)

And don't forget that sycamine wood was the preferred wood for building caskets and coffins.  What a powerful message this is!  It tells us that bitterness and unforgiveness are DEADLY.  Harboring bitterness will spiritually bury you more quickly than anything else!  These attitudes are the materials that Satan uses to put you six feet underground!  Let me stress this point to you because it's so important:  If you permit bitterness and unforgiveness to grow in your life, it won't be long until these attitudes have killed your joy, stolen your peace, and canceled out your spiritual life!

A life of,