Weeds

February 22, 2021

The problem with weeds is that they’re so prolific. Vegetables or flowers or weeds, they all compete for the same water and minerals. According to the Biblical story, one of the results of Adam’s sin was the cursing of the soil. Where previously it brought forth abundantly, now, 

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.””

—Genesis 3:17-19 NIV

Weeds always have a leg up, and we have a lot of work keeping them at bay so we can reap the harvest of beauty and nourishment. Weeds suck from the soil the nutrients needed by the plants you want.

What is true in the world around us is also true for the world within us. God has provided for us “everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who has called us...” (2 Peter 1:3). The soil of salvation is deep and rich, but the weeds of jealousy, greed, lust, hatred, pride, criticism, gossip, insecurity, and a host of others, suck from it the nutrients needed for the fruit of the Spirit to bear abundantly, the love, joy, and peace, the patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control God intends us to have and share with others. 

The sins we hide and often cherish deep in our hearts don’t only hurt us, they cause the spiritual harvest God is looking for to be stunted and deformed. God has given us the tools we need to till the soil and pull the weeds, but it is up to us to take tools in hand and get to work. Prayerfully searching both Scripture and with it our hearts, corporate worship, service, and fellowship are all tools God provides us to tackle the weed problem in our hearts. Just as in gardening, the weeds will keep growing. It’s a never-ending battle, but must be fought if we want a harvest. My grandfather was quite the horticulturalist, and once gave me some sound advice for gardening and life. “Take care of matters early,” he said. “With weeds, quarter inch, quarter hour; half inch, half hour; one inch, all day.” Spiritual weeds are no different, so in our men’s Bible study tonight, we’re going to pull some weeds. I’m thankful for it. It’s one job I don’t like, and pulling them early sounds mighty attractive.