TODAY’S INSPIRATION:WEEDS SPREAD FAST!

I’m not an outdoor person, not a fan of bugs or dirt. So, it is safe to say yardwork or gardening is not my forte. However, those of you who like yardwork or have gardens know that weeds will take over quickly when they are not controlled. Weeds will harm your grass and garden, robbing them of essential resources like nutrients, water, and sunlight, which will weaken and possibly kill them. Doesn’t that sound like sin? The enemy uses sin as a tool to kill, steal, and destroy. His plan is to separate us from God and lead us to a spiritual death. Just as weeds take over quickly when they are not controlled, so does sin. The smaller the weeds are when pulled, the less harm they will do. This is also true when it comes to sin. The minute we recognize any action, thought, or attitude that is contrary to the Word of God, Believers are called to strongly rid ourselves of them. God gives us the ability to do that through our Lord Jesus Christ who has already defeated the devil and given us victory over sin. We do not have to allow weeds to overtake our hearts, our minds, or our souls. We are equipped with the Holy Spirit who lives within us, repentance, prayer, scriptures, and our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us. We need all of these to stand against the enemy; we must put on the whole armor of God daily and keep it on. Weeds spread fast and so does sin!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness in this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:11-13)

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

I remember my mother would say we must learn how to eat the meat and spit out the bones. She was not talking about food. She was referring to our thoughts and what we allowed to enter into our mind. If negative thoughts creep in and we allow them to grow, just like weeds, it doesn’t take long before they take over. Scripture tells us to hold our thoughts captive and guard our hearts and mind. Just as a gardener can’t expect good vegetables without getting rid of the weeds, we can’t sit back and let negative and evil thoughts grow and expect to produce good fruit. This world is dark and full of deception so it is important that we stay focused and not be distracted by the enemies tricks. He knows if he gets into our thoughts, our actions will follow. Our mind is where sin takes root, it is the battlefield where the enemy begins his plot to destroy. The good news is that we have the victory, but to achieve it we have to let go of what grieves the Holy Spirit. Get rid of the weeds. As my mother said spit them out! When the Holy Spirit convicts us, we must repent and ask for forgiveness, and by the grace of God, we will be forgiven. Sin no longer has a hold over us and the devil is defeated! In these deceitful and dark times, it is important for us to be alert and stay focused. Be careful what we speak, how we act, and what we think. Our victory over sin is a gift from God through Jesus Christ. Don’t let those weeds (sin) grow. Love and blessings…

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:23-27)

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10)

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4)