Spite House

Each heart knows its own bitterness.

Proverbs 14:10

In his book Mistreated, Ron Lee Davis tells a story about a millionaire who owned a lot in an exclusive residential area of a large city. However, this lot presented an unusual problem: It was only a couple yards wide by nearly a hundred feet long. Reasoning that there was nothing he could do with such an oddly proportioned piece of real estate but sell it to one of the neighbors, the wealthy man went to the homes on either side of the lot in the hopes of finding a buyer.

The owner first visited the neighbor on the east side of the lot. The neighbor said he would buy the lot, but "only as a favor." Then he named a ridiculously low price.

The owner of the lot exploded. "Why, that's not even one-tenth what the lot is worth!" He then stormed out and went to see the neighbor on the west side. To the rich man’s dismay, the second neighbor bettered the previous offer by only a few dollars. "Look," the neighbor said smugly, "I've got you over a barrel. You can't sell that lot to anyone else and you can't build on it. So there's my offer. Take it or leave it."

Beside himself with rage, the lot’s owner decided there was a third option. Within a few days, he hired an architect and a contractor to build one of the strangest houses ever conceived. Only five feet wide and running the full length of his property, the house was little more than a row of tiny rooms, each barely able to accommodate a stick of furniture. The neighbors complained that the bizarre structure would blight the neighborhood, but city officials could find no code violation or regulation to disallow it.

When the long, narrow house was finished, the millionaire moved into his uncomfortable and impractical abode, where he stayed until his death. The house, which became known in the neighborhood as "Spite House," still stands as a monument to one man's hate, bitterness, and desire to get revenge.

This story poses an interesting question for all of us: how many of us are living in spite houses? How many of us are imprisoned in circumstances that are both uncomfortable and impractical because we cannot deal with the things that keep us locked in a self-constructed nightmare? When it comes to dealing with the events that keep us from reaping the peace and joy God longs to give His children, Proverbs tells us a valuable truth: Each heart knows its own bitterness.

What a tragedy it is to use the good things God gives us to erect self-constructed spite houses rather than using the blessings we have received to be a blessing to those around us! What a tragedy it is to live a life of limitation and deprivation because we harbor anger and resentment. Living in a spite house harms no one but the one who resides inside; those observing our spiteful actions from the outside suffer no consequences! They only see our stupidity.

Yes, each heart knows its own bitterness—and today is the day to examine yours. Are you reaping the unpleasant consequences of living in a spite house? I pray we will all banish bitterness, anger, hatred, and resentment so that we can reap the blessings God has in store for those who live a life pleasing to Him.

Hating people is like burning down your house to kill a rat.

~~Henry Fosdick

A Question to Ponder: Yes, each heart knows its own bitterness—and today is the day to examine yours. Are you reaping the unpleasant consequences of living in a spite house?

A Prayer to Offer: Father, forgive me for harboring bitterness and anger in my heart rather than dealing with it as your Word instructs. Time and time again you tell me that bitterness and rage are part of the old nature I am to overcome now that I am a new creature in Christ. Yet I persist in seeking vengeance rather than leaving retribution to you. I am not to be overcome by evil, but rather to overcome evil with good. I have Jesus as my example of faith and practice when it comes to learning how to deal with hurts and grievances. Thank you for forgiving me, again and again, when I let my emotions, not your Word, rule my attitudes and actions. Forgive me for usurping your authority when I try to take vengeance, which is yours to handle. I am thankful that your mercies are new every morning and your faithfulness is great. Thank you for being so patient with me as I struggle to get it right. By the power of the Holy Spirit living in me, give me the grace to sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from Him—and then apply the truths I hear from His lips to my life in a meaningful way. Thank you for loving me and giving yourself to redeem me from a life of sin and death. Amen.

An Action Step to Take: Are you living in a spite house? If so, describe the unpleasant consequences you are experiencing because you can’t get rid of compounded anger and layer upon layer of bitterness. You can either write out the answer, or draw a picture if you prefer.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends,

but leave room for God’s wrath,

for it is written:

“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”

says the Lord.

Romans 12:19