_ROOTS, WEEDS AND CLODS
_Soil is prepared for the purpose of reaping a good harvest. When we grow tired of dealing with
the same old roots, weeds and clods in our lives, it may be time to clear the social calendar
and take a close look at our field. The scriptures refer to it as "sanctifying" or "consecrating"
ourselves (Joshua 3:5 and 5:8-9; John 17:17-19) So, take the challenge, hop on the
Massey-Ferguson, drop the plow, throttle up, and let's go for it!
ROOTS: (Heb 12:15) The scriptures speak of being "troubled by a root of bitterness springing up".
There are many types of roots. In addition to issues like unforgiveness and bitterness,
here are a some other examples to consider:
OUR VIEW OF GOD: Is our perception of God clouded by our personal experience. Do we
see Him as angry, distant, unapproachable, perhaps like an earthly parent or guardian?
If while ministering to others we have a mingled bitter and sweet stream flowing from us,
the Body of Christ is "defiled" by the mixture in our message, reinforcing a misconception
of God's nature and purposes. We are unable or uncomfortable declaring blessing upon
others because we have not yet received the fullness of blessing within ourselves.
Positionally we have the fullness through salvation; however, what we do with our inheritance
determines our life message. We are first to be reconciled to God ourselves in order to be
effective ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20; Isa 58:12). It takes courage to look honestly at
our life message and to say as the psalmist, "Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts" (Ps 139:23).
ADULTERY & COMPROMISE: (Matt 5:28) Jesus spoke very plainly about the dangers of even an
inappropriate gaze. However, because we fail to understand how we are created, we miss the
urgency of the warning. In the same way that we can transfer wholesome love, blessing and
even anointing through our eyes, so also we can transfer our secret garbage. Many have
rationalized and consoled themselves with "I didn't act on it, it was just a thought".
Remember, we're plowing our field, so don't walk away from the task when we hit a rough
place. Simply put, if garbage is lodged in the heart, garbage sooner or later will come
out (Matt 15:18-19). Movies with restricted and adult ratings, songs with sensual lyrics,
TV programs with one inappropriate joke after another...and oh yes, the internet...
all of these are sure to supply secret nourishment to an enormous root system of unholiness
in our lives. Many have wearied themselves by burying unholy desires under pep talk and
mountains of scriptures. One must venture to the source in the heart in order to break the
supplying root, usually from childhood, which can include molestation, experimentation
or other forms of defilement. Allow the plow to sink deeply into this area
of the field and cross plow it regularly.
WEEDS : (Matt 13:22; 24-30) Cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and hypocrisy.
Weeds will always be present in a field and in the church. Jesus never promised a
weedless church. We can only be responsible for our own vessel. In the church one may
find rascals, cowards, and compromisers. Our challenge is not to weed everyone else's
field, but rather to make sure that we ourselves are not in some way one of the above.
CLODS: (Jos 3:5 and 5:8-9; Ezek 36:26-27; Deut 30:6; Jer 4:3-4; Acts 7:51; Eph 4:18)
There are numerous references in the Word which refer to the condition of having
hearts of stone, the failure to circumcise the heart, hardening of the heart, and breaking
up fallow ground. While we are faithful to the task of examining and plowing our field,
the Holy Spirit is our Faithful Helper. He supplies the much needed grace
"both to will and to work" (Phil 2:13). He also supplies the new heart in His timing.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
January 28, 2002
the same old roots, weeds and clods in our lives, it may be time to clear the social calendar
and take a close look at our field. The scriptures refer to it as "sanctifying" or "consecrating"
ourselves (Joshua 3:5 and 5:8-9; John 17:17-19) So, take the challenge, hop on the
Massey-Ferguson, drop the plow, throttle up, and let's go for it!
ROOTS: (Heb 12:15) The scriptures speak of being "troubled by a root of bitterness springing up".
There are many types of roots. In addition to issues like unforgiveness and bitterness,
here are a some other examples to consider:
OUR VIEW OF GOD: Is our perception of God clouded by our personal experience. Do we
see Him as angry, distant, unapproachable, perhaps like an earthly parent or guardian?
If while ministering to others we have a mingled bitter and sweet stream flowing from us,
the Body of Christ is "defiled" by the mixture in our message, reinforcing a misconception
of God's nature and purposes. We are unable or uncomfortable declaring blessing upon
others because we have not yet received the fullness of blessing within ourselves.
Positionally we have the fullness through salvation; however, what we do with our inheritance
determines our life message. We are first to be reconciled to God ourselves in order to be
effective ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20; Isa 58:12). It takes courage to look honestly at
our life message and to say as the psalmist, "Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts" (Ps 139:23).
ADULTERY & COMPROMISE: (Matt 5:28) Jesus spoke very plainly about the dangers of even an
inappropriate gaze. However, because we fail to understand how we are created, we miss the
urgency of the warning. In the same way that we can transfer wholesome love, blessing and
even anointing through our eyes, so also we can transfer our secret garbage. Many have
rationalized and consoled themselves with "I didn't act on it, it was just a thought".
Remember, we're plowing our field, so don't walk away from the task when we hit a rough
place. Simply put, if garbage is lodged in the heart, garbage sooner or later will come
out (Matt 15:18-19). Movies with restricted and adult ratings, songs with sensual lyrics,
TV programs with one inappropriate joke after another...and oh yes, the internet...
all of these are sure to supply secret nourishment to an enormous root system of unholiness
in our lives. Many have wearied themselves by burying unholy desires under pep talk and
mountains of scriptures. One must venture to the source in the heart in order to break the
supplying root, usually from childhood, which can include molestation, experimentation
or other forms of defilement. Allow the plow to sink deeply into this area
of the field and cross plow it regularly.
WEEDS : (Matt 13:22; 24-30) Cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and hypocrisy.
Weeds will always be present in a field and in the church. Jesus never promised a
weedless church. We can only be responsible for our own vessel. In the church one may
find rascals, cowards, and compromisers. Our challenge is not to weed everyone else's
field, but rather to make sure that we ourselves are not in some way one of the above.
CLODS: (Jos 3:5 and 5:8-9; Ezek 36:26-27; Deut 30:6; Jer 4:3-4; Acts 7:51; Eph 4:18)
There are numerous references in the Word which refer to the condition of having
hearts of stone, the failure to circumcise the heart, hardening of the heart, and breaking
up fallow ground. While we are faithful to the task of examining and plowing our field,
the Holy Spirit is our Faithful Helper. He supplies the much needed grace
"both to will and to work" (Phil 2:13). He also supplies the new heart in His timing.
Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
January 28, 2002