Weeds

 

More yardwork today!  We’ve had trouble getting grass to grow in our backyard because it doesn’t get enough sun. We had some trees removed and others pruned to let more light in. Now I’m working to get the weeds out of the bare spots so there is room for the grass to grow into. Some weeds are difficult to remove. You have to dig down to get out the roots or else they will just grow back.

 

Weeds tend to grow where the grass is weakest and, correspondingly, the grass won’t grow where the weeds are established. This same principle is true spiritually. The weeds represent our sins and bad habits. They can keep the Spirit from finding a place to work and grow in our heart. Some of them can become so entrenched in our hearts that they are difficult to remove. We need to ask Jesus to help us get their destructive roots out. Once we have weeded out what doesn’t belong, we need to fill our hearts and lives with the fruit of the Spirit and the works of God so that the weeds don’t have a place to regrow. Otherwise, we will be like the man Jesus spoke about:

“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.” (Mt 12:43-45)

 

As we approach Easter, let’s weed out what doesn’t belong in our hearts with the help and grace of God. Let’s also make a special effort in prayer, worship, and study to fill in those bare spots with the Spirit of Jesus and allow Him to have His way in us.