Recently, I visited a nature preserve to enjoy its springtime beauty. I hadn’t been there for about a year, and I was disappointed to see how some of the areas next to the trail were overgrown with weedy vines. They weren’t nearly as bad last year and I’m sure they didn’t grow that much overnight. If I had visited the preserve frequently, I might not have noticed how they were spreading so badly.
Ungodly actions and attitudes can develop, like those weedy vines. They can creep into our lives very slowly; almost undetectably. They put down their roots and crowd out godliness. They block out God’s sunlight and rob the nutrients of the Fruit of the Spirit. The first time we notice them, we see them as little character problems, so we often tolerate them. Over time, they spread and grow stronger until they are deeply imbedded in us. Then, they are very hard to eradicate. Like pulling weeds, it’s quite difficult to get all of the roots.
Those ungodly “weeds” ruin the beauty of our lives. They prevent us from growing spiritually in Christ. They kill the Fruit of the Spirit. And, we are not able to survive and flourish until we get rid of them. Unfortunately, we can’t do it by ourselves. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us.
There is a lesson to learn from this. When you finally see the weeds in your life, no matter how small they may seem to you, take action—don’t ignore them or procrastinate. Instead, immediately turn to God, surrender yourself to Him, decide to change your life, and ask for His forgiveness and help. Then, get back on track by taking whatever steps are necessary to become godlier.
The writer of Hebrews gives us similar advice, but he uses a different analogy. 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV. Be sure and notice the second part of verse one.)
So, let’s do a little gardening this spring; let’s get rid of those pesky weeds of sin and cultivate more godliness in our lives. When we study God’s Word daily, pray daily, and live the Christian life by faith, we will bloom and bear fruit.
Remember, God loves you and so do I.
Phil
Copyright © 2010 Philip Walter