I was over at my friend Cody's house one day and we just sat in his back yard and talked about stuff. Cody had recently given his life fully over to Christ and he was very eager to put behind the things of the past. I am sure it is this way with all of us, but for Cody it was magnified tremendously as his heart was set on serving the Lord in whatever capacity he could.
As we spent time talking, we walked out to the back portion of his property where he has his garden. I saw many variations of vegetables planted and in the midst of the plants were many weeds. Cody apologized for the condition of the garden and began to explain how so many things were happening within the confines of his life. And as a result of this, he had neglected to keep the weeds out. I could tell this really bothered him as farming and harvesting are a great love and desire within his life.
I encouraged Cody in his walk and reminded him of God's perfect plan for each of us (See Jer. 29:11), and that he needed to just focus on his walk with God and allow his past to be a part of his testimony of God's grace. All too often the enemy condemns us about our past, and it freezes us from walking forward in newness of life. We are not required to defend, justify or give a full explanation for our past actions. We are called to confess, and repent of them. If there is someone who has been hurt by our actions then we are to go and apologize and ask for forgiveness.
We must understand, once we have done this and we begin our new Spirit-led walk with God, there is no longer any condemnation from our Lord.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 (NKJV)
About a month later I was giving Cody a ride after dropping his truck off and we began to talk. He let me know his garden was in order and he had been picking the weeds. I thought about how this fit with God's plan for us as well. God can forgive all of our sins with one pass of His rototiller - turning them under and bringing forth fresh soil, but we must then be diligent and faithful to address any new weed that may pop up.
I like to think of God as the Master Gardener, and our heart as the soil of His garden. His love, His will, and His word can be planted and flourish in our hearts if we will keep the weeds - those cares and concerns for this world - from choking Him out and from keeping them unfruitful.
Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22 (NKJV)
We need to know Satan is going to attempt to infiltrate our garden and he is going to attempt to plant many weeds within it. We need to be mindful of this and attempt to screen and catch as many of these weed seeds as possible (See 2 Cor 10:5). For those making their way past this screening process, it is equally important for us to pull them out by their roots before they get too deep within the soil of our heart.
I want to encourage you today if this is you. Concentrate on the Lord and on the promises contained within His Word. Water the good seed, and pull the bad weeds within your heart. Don't just sit idly by, letting the weed continue to grow, because the root will grow deep and it will be harder to get out. I have seen many people rip off the surface of a weed, never getting the root out. It will inevitably surface again. If you have a weed, deal with it decisively!
I am happy for my friend Cody, and I can surely see the difference in his garden and in his life. He is not the man I once knew and he is inspiring many people in his walk with God. I have already seen a new bumper crop, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for him and his family. What a blessing and what an inspiration!
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about the weeds of sin within our life from the Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are there any weeds within your heart that you have not attempted to pull out, or have just snapped off the top and not gotten the root of it?
APPLICATION: Ask the Lord if there are any weeds, or remnant of weeds left within your heart. Ask Him to give you the ability to deal with them properly.
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