What To Do About The Weeds
Fall is coming, and I’m looking forward to it, because Winter follows. And unless the Lord returns, in a few short months the leaves will have fallen, the trees will be mostly barren, and the weeds will thankfully “die off”. Sadly, this last part is a misconception because weeds don’t die off, (which would be nice), but simply go dormant for a while. But what to do with these invasive weeds in the meantime? This is a question that has haunted homeowners for hundreds of years. A weed eater only provides a temporary solution as all that can be done with it is to cut the weeds off at the ground, so they aren’t so unsightly. But they still exist and will reappear. The best thing that one can do for weeds is to pull them up, root and all, and assign them to true death.
Now, weeds don’t grow in the heart (minds) and lives of people, but sin does. We know this from Rom 3:23. We also know, according to 1John 5:19 where those of God and those of the world are contrasted, “the whole world lieth in wickedness.” We learned in Gen 6:5 as God prepared to cleanse the earth with the universal flood that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” We also learned in Gen 8:21 that God would never again curse the ground for man’s sake. The reason being – “for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth;”. Like weeds, sin is ever present, ready to show itself in the lives of humanity. To those who claim to not sin, God gave us 1John 1:10 - If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Sins must be destroyed that they not continue to grow as do weeds, or sins will continue or reappear and adversely affect our soul.
So, what do we do with sin (which is wickedness) so that it doesn’t continue to grow? Interestingly, this was a problem that Israel faced as well. God, in Jer 1:10, had set the prophet in place to “to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” The wickedness of those who had forsaken the Lord had to be dealt with. In verse 16 of the same book and chapter we see that these had “burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.” Jeremiah was to root out, pull down, destroy and throw down that which was sinful, evil and displeasing to Jehovah and build and plant that which was pleasing in the sight of God. One cannot accomplish this without FULLY FOLLOWING the Word of God.
In the N.T., in Rom 8:13, the church in Rome was told to “mortify the deeds of the body” and they “shall live”. Then we find in Col 3:1-5 the brethren in Colossae were reminded that if they were risen with Christ (had been baptized into Christ), they (and Christians today) are to seek the things above, set their affections on heavenly things, and mortify (put to death) the sinful things on the earth. The list given here is not all encompassing, but there are enough listed that all should be able to get the point. These are, “fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” Then we see in verse 6 the phrase “which things’”, showing that anything like this brings the wrath of God upon the offender.
The works of the flesh as listed above and in Gal 5:19-21 are like weeds in the lives of people. This Scripture contains the words “and such like, again signaling that this list is also not all inclusive, but is representative of the types of actions that are sinful and that separates one from God. These sins in one’s life, like weeds, chokes out that which is good and profitable. Perhaps this is why in the parable of the sower as found in Matt 13:3-23 Jesus explained what occurs when the seed, the Word of God is sown “among the thorns”. The word weeds is not found in the KJV, but the thorns of which the Lord spoke in the parable aptly describes them. In Matt 13:22, He characterized them as “the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches” which “choke the Word and the soul that is affected thereby becomes “unfruitful”.
The “tool” with which weeds are “cut back” (weed eaters), or sprays which inhibit the growth or spread of weeds make things look better but does not get rid of the weeds. To discontinue a sin in one’s life, or to attempt to hide it, also does not eliminate or remove the sin, but may make the sinner appear better in the eyes of others. However, the sin is still present and the damage it does continues, and of course, God knows about these sins even when the world can’t see them. To try to “hide” them is ineffective. Ignoring sin, just like ignoring weeds is destructive. Ignoring weeds is devastating to property and are unsightly. Ignoring sins is detrimental to the soul and is also unsightly.
The means by which the past sins are initially removed from one’s soul is the “precious blood of Christ” as 1:Pet 1:18-19 informs. This is why Saul of Tarsus (who became Paul the apostle) was told in Acts 22:16 to not tarry, but to “arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins”. The washing away of these past sins in baptism is when they (only the past sins) are eradicated. When one is baptized “into Christ” having been properly taught, that person contacts the blood of Christ and are, 1) born again (John 3:5), 2) added to the church (Acts 2:47), and 3) becomes an obedient child of God (Gal 3:26) as they exercise obedient faith.
But what to do with the “weeds” or sin that crops up after one has been obedient to the gospel? That “blood of Christ remains accessible to the Christian (the child of God), (1John 1:7) as they repent and pray (Acts 8:22). God has also provided the “tool” the Christian needs to address sin after becoming the child of God. In Jas 1:14-15 we are told where these “weeds” of sin originate and what results from letting things grow unchecked. One is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Lust, if one yields to it, brings sin, and the “finish” of sin is death. Therefore, every Christian must do something to prevent sin from taking root and springing up in their lives. 2Cor 10:4-5 shows the Christian’s weapons against sin are not carnal (pertaining to the flesh) but mighty through God. We are to be “Casting down imaginations” and “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”.
Don’t let the “weeds” (sin) spring up. If they do appear, don’t allow them to “choke” your soul. Pull them up, roots and all and put them to death. A sinful soul is unfruitful.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
