The Garden - Part 1

I was working in the garden recently, and I came up with some thoughts about weeds – just looking at how they behave so much like sins in our lives. There is nothing more ugly than a garden overrun with weeds, and nothing more tragic than a Believer overtaken with sin. Notice that when we are working with people's lives, the "weeding" process must be completed with gentleness. Too many leaders barge into people's lives with giant backhoes, where a small rake might do a better job:

Gal. 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

1Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Here are a few observations – let me know if you can think of other ways that weeds and sins are similar. These are in no particular order:

• Weeds like to grow in bunches – once one or two get going, they all seem to gravitate to that area

Sin rarely stands alone - if we yield to one sin, others will likely follow

• Weeds can easily hide among the plants - some blend in and look like flourishing greenery. They take shelter under the greenery and steal nutrients from the plant

Sin can often hide - we know how to talk and act like righteous believers...at the same time as we have dark secrets flourishing in our lives. Sin likes to lie in the shadow of your beauty and strength. It is important to guard your strengths – don’t take them for granted. Look for subtle (and not so subtle) sins that seem to nestle right under the wing of your greatest gifts and strengths

• It is much easier to spray poison right on top of the weeds...but this is not always the best tactic as the poison can affect the flowers and you don't always get to the roots. It is better to dig up the weeds - roots and all! Often this requires hard work and special tools

Sin cannot be easily and lazily dealt with - it is better to get down to the roots. The greatest tools are: the light of the Word of God; the honesty of friends; the conviction of the Holy Spirit; true repentance and holy living

• The more you look, the more you can see (this might be an AGE ISSUE). I thought I was done in some patches...but when I looked again, more weeds just seemed to remain...it never stops!

The more you look into your heart, the more you will see. We don't need to be overly introspective, but we do need to take a good long look into our hearts during this season. Dealing with our sinful nature never stops - we need to be vigilant against sin

• Not many people like to do the weeding...but they sure enjoy the beautiful flowers!

You might not find many willing participants in this weeding process...they want you to do the work...and pay the price...and refine your life so that they can come and enjoy your ministry and gifts. There is nothing particularly wrong with that – our lives are supposed to be garden and reflection of the goodness of God so that we can bless others…but…true Christianity requires a diligent walk in, and pursuit of holiness

• You don’t have to do anything to grow weeds – they flourish in any conditions. I have a patch of ground that required me to turn off the water. The grass died away very quickly, but the weeds still require constant attention – they seem to grow even with a tiny whiff of rain once a month!

Oh how sad, yet true! While holy living needs to be tended with great care, my fickle heart can grow weeds of bitterness, anger, fear, unbelief, (and a host of other “weeds”) without any effort at all. Paul said that he had to “die daily” (1Cor. 15:31) – he had to put those “weeds” to death on a daily basis.

Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

...more tomorrow - find Part 2: HERE