"For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."  Acts 8:23

"Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors." Matthew 6:12

When bitterness has us in its grip, it is a symptom that our hearts have turned away from God and is nourishing our own hurts rather than exercising forgiveness and mercy.  Relationships are more important than sins or failures.  Bitterness is spoken of in this passage as a root that produces poisoned effects.  Wormwood might be seen in wood that is infested with termites who are slowly eating away at the heart of the wood bringing destruction and decay. 

Our hearts focused upon hurts and bitterness cause spiritual poisoning to the soul.  It not only effects us but others.  Like wormwood it is eating away our heart and putting us outside of the mercy of God.  Matthew 6:15 says, "If you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." The Bible says that sin is not to have dominion (mastery) over us.  (See Romans 6:6,14)

Acts 8:32 speaks of being poisoned by bitterness and bound up by iniquity.  Bitterness destroys relationships.  The best choice is to forgive and release those who have hurt us and trust God to right wrongs. The battle is His not yours. Love is the best choice.  Love covers many sins.