Dealing With The Weeds!

Now that Spring has sprung, so has a lot of work in neighboring yards. I’ve seen people fertilizing, spraying and spreading weed killer on lawns, pulling up weeds by hand; all in an effort to make their gardens and lawns look beautiful. Getting out all the weeds can be laborious work with all the bending and pulling it takes. However, is as much attention being paid to the “weeds” that have taken root within lives? How many of those beautified yards surround houses where what lies within is conflict and dysfunction? Also, how many individual lives may appear lovely on the outside, but full of weeds within?

For the weeds that grow in our gardens and yards, I guess we can blame Adam. ( Genesis 3:17-18) However, for the weeds in our own life, we must take responsibility for them ourselves. For what do we need “weed killer”?

Paul exhorted. . .
“(5) PUT TO DEATH therefore WHAT IS EARTHLY IN YOU: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” ( Colossians 3:5 ESV)

It is on account of such “weeds” as these popping up in this world that the wrath of God is coming. (verse 6) Dropping down a few verses Paul’s list went on to include anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, and lying (verses 8-9) that also must be eliminated. To leave the weeds allows them to spread and weeds can be prolific! They don’t seem to need any help at all to grow!

Paul went on to point toward what the weeding will then leave room for the cultivation of.
“(10) and have put on THE NEW SELF, which is being RENEWED in knowledge AFTER THE IMAGE OF ITS CREATOR.” ( Colossians 3:10 ESV)

We need to weed out the “earthly” in order to make room for the HEAVENLY QUALITIES with which the new self in Christ is to be renewed. Paul went to list some of these GODLY BLOOMS as “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”, as well as bearing with and forgiving one another as we ourselves have been forgiven by the Lord, and also love. (verses 12-14). With the help of the Master Gardener and Creator of life, may we root out the earthly and make room for the HEAVENLY as our LIFE BLOOMS to His glory where we have been planted.

Have a great day BECOMING A GARDEN OF DELIGHT TO THE LORD!
Carl

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