Sowing, Reaping and Weeding
Introduction. As spring approaches, so also does the need to remove weeds from our flower beds and lawn. We have learned from experience that the effort to pull out a weed is futile unless you pull it up by the roots. If you feel a snap as the plant separates from its roots, the effort ended in vain. For though the plant is gone, the weed is still there and will grow again. Most large weeds require a shovel to break up the ground to fully remove the roots and destroy the weed.
Sin works exactly the same way! Each sin creates a “thorn” that puts down emotional roots deep into our heart. Sometimes the experience is so unpleasant, our conscience so violated that the roots are shallow – easily pulled – we will never do it again!
Fleshly/Youthful Lusts. But if the sin created pleasure or excitement, it created roots that God identified as “fleshly lusts.” The flesh doesn’t forget the delight and pleasure that sin created and every future enticement leads the root to grow another thorn (sin). These “fleshly lusts war against the soul” (2Pet. 2:11) and formed in our youth are the “youthful lusts” we are to “flee” (2Tim. 2:22). The process is described: “each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Jas. 1:14-15).
Hence while repentance removes the plant, it takes more to remove the roots (fleshly lusts). Just as snapping the plant from the root tells us the weed will grow again, as long as pleasurable lusts remain, that sin will grow again. Without the pleasure of lust we see sin as despicable. It is lust that clouds the mind, creates the desire, makes us friends with the world and an enemy of God (1Jn. 2:15-17; Jas. 4:4). Looked at this way, it is a “root bearing bitterness and wormwood.”
When we see sin as God sees it, it becomes an abomination that defiles us, because it is evil, destructive and hurtful. No one seeing sin as it truly is will be tempted or enticed by it, only disgusted. When we learn the reason why God called it sin, we are loosening the soil of our heart and will be able to remove that root along with the enticements, temptations and sin it creates.
“The Love of Money is a Root”. The “love of money” perfectly illustrates this truth. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1Tim. 6:10). “Love for money” is the root. It is the root that creates all kinds of evil. As long as that root remains in our hearts, we could stray from the faith and be pierced with many sorrows. If we remove the root, these things become impossible. When we see love of money as God revealed it, we can pull it up by the roots and all the terrible consequences will disappear. As long as there is a root we are in grave danger.
Conclusion. What God warned Israel against is still possible if we allow any root to remain.
Sin works exactly the same way! Each sin creates a “thorn” that puts down emotional roots deep into our heart. Sometimes the experience is so unpleasant, our conscience so violated that the roots are shallow – easily pulled – we will never do it again!
Fleshly/Youthful Lusts. But if the sin created pleasure or excitement, it created roots that God identified as “fleshly lusts.” The flesh doesn’t forget the delight and pleasure that sin created and every future enticement leads the root to grow another thorn (sin). These “fleshly lusts war against the soul” (2Pet. 2:11) and formed in our youth are the “youthful lusts” we are to “flee” (2Tim. 2:22). The process is described: “each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Jas. 1:14-15).
Hence while repentance removes the plant, it takes more to remove the roots (fleshly lusts). Just as snapping the plant from the root tells us the weed will grow again, as long as pleasurable lusts remain, that sin will grow again. Without the pleasure of lust we see sin as despicable. It is lust that clouds the mind, creates the desire, makes us friends with the world and an enemy of God (1Jn. 2:15-17; Jas. 4:4). Looked at this way, it is a “root bearing bitterness and wormwood.”
When we see sin as God sees it, it becomes an abomination that defiles us, because it is evil, destructive and hurtful. No one seeing sin as it truly is will be tempted or enticed by it, only disgusted. When we learn the reason why God called it sin, we are loosening the soil of our heart and will be able to remove that root along with the enticements, temptations and sin it creates.
“The Love of Money is a Root”. The “love of money” perfectly illustrates this truth. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1Tim. 6:10). “Love for money” is the root. It is the root that creates all kinds of evil. As long as that root remains in our hearts, we could stray from the faith and be pierced with many sorrows. If we remove the root, these things become impossible. When we see love of money as God revealed it, we can pull it up by the roots and all the terrible consequences will disappear. As long as there is a root we are in grave danger.
Conclusion. What God warned Israel against is still possible if we allow any root to remain.
- that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood; 19 and so it may not happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, 'I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart' — as though the drunkard could be included with the sober.” (Deut. 29:18-19)