Christian Ramblings

What is the best way to cultivate weeds in a garden? The answer is to do nothing for the seeds of weeds will drift in from the wind and take root. In a short time you will see little shoots popping up from the ground and those shoots will look just like all the other plants that are coming up. As the roots grow deeper and the shoots grow taller, there comes a point where the weeds become self evident because of the shape of the leaves. Left unattended the weeds may overrun the rest of the good plants in the garden.

In our lives the garden represents our spirit and the weeds represents pride. Pride is just a set of lies which we believe as truth and thus alters our behavior so that we choose evil. Just like weeding a garden, you must diligently remove the lies of pride or darkness will creep into your life. Such darkness at its fullest can be characterized by what the apostle Paul wrote, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21) In that statement is a powerful motivation to be diligent in pulling up the weeds in your life since choosing to let weeds flourish can lead to separation from God. When people get lost in the woods, it usually isn’t because they were “suddenly” lost, but they became lost one step at a time while they weren’t paying attention. So in the life a christian, it starts with a subtle harsh word or a slight indifference to the things of God. This builds upon itself when you suddenly realize how far you have walked off the path.

In practical terms, there are four basic elements that makes up a Christian's life including the study of the scriptures, prayer, fellowship, and obeying the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Let’s define what each one of these these mean...

Study of the Scriptures: Knowledge of what the scriptures is essential for knowing the boundaries God has set and how we are to behave. You can’t just read the scriptures once and think you are done with them, but you must study them frequently for sin is deceitful and it is constantly knocking on our door. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Prayer: Prayer is your freewill choice to involve yourself in the will of God. God is infinite in wisdom and power and He needs nothing from us to accomplish His will, yet God has made prayer an integral part of His plan. Prayer was not something He tacked on as an afterthought. It pleases God when we seek Him in prayer.

Fellowship: Fellowship is where we exercise God’s commands. God meant for us to interact with each other. We both give and receive God’s love and it is where we receive edification. Love is not a game of solitaire that you play alone.

Conviction of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit will convict us of sin. It is what keeps us on the path of God’s will. It is the supernatural manifestation of God’s will in such a manner that will lead us to repentance and forgiveness. The conviction of the Holy Spirit can manifest in many different ways. He can speak to you directly, reveal your deeds to your own consciousness, arrange your circumstances to make it apparent what He wants you to see, and send other people to speak to you.

If we walk fully in these disciplines, we will be blessed and Holy Spirit will flow through us. When we neglect one or more of these disciplines, it opens the door for pride to grow within us like weeds in a garden. Let’s examine what could potentially manifest if we forsake each one of these disciplines. What I am about to describe is not intended to be a complete description, but meant to give you insight on what to look for and examine the fruits of your own life and then take action to correct it.

Study of the Scriptures: If you neglect study of the scriptures, you will lack the understanding you need to avoid obvious traps and pitfalls. You will also be ill equipped to teach or lead. It is like putting on clothes but not not fastening the buttons or zippers, things can fall apart at inappropriate times.

Prayer: If you neglect prayer, it is like having perfectly working car but no gasoline in the tank. Looks good from the outside, but when you turn the key in the ignition nothing happens. Each one of us needs refreshing from the Holy Spirit and dwelling in His presence via prayer is one of God’s ordained ways. If you are not willing to spend time in prayer, it is like saying you are unwilling to interact with God Himself. How can you know God if you don’t spend time with Him? When you minister to others without prayer, your words will be lifeless and dry.

Fellowship: If you neglect fellowship, it is like training for the olympics and then failing to apply for a position on the team. You may be knowledgeable on the bible, but you have no place to apply what you know. You also are forsaking the benefits that others can bring to you!

Conviction of the Holy Spirit: Nothing is impossible for God and in whatever manner He chooses to speak to you, the important thing is to listen to what He is trying to tell you. If you ignore what God is speaking to you, you risk going down a dark path because sin has a way of breeding more sin and it can snowball very quickly. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is God’s way of directly interacting with you and He doesn’t do it without cause or on a mere whim. When you ignore God it has the effect of dulling your spiritual senses and if you persist, searing your consciousness.

Your desires are the breeding ground for pride to manifest sin and sin brings separation from God. If you are forsaking one or more of these basic disciplines, it is like neglecting the weeding of your garden. When it comes time to minister, whatever is growing in your spirit is what you will serve to others for it is written, “for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (Luke 6:45) At a special meal would you walk out of the kitchen with a large bowl of fresh green thorns and thistles and say, “Look what I have for you today, fresh bitterness and malice salad with a slight hint of hypocrisy dressing!” There would be a silence so thick you could hear a pin drop. In the realm of spiritual matters, quality always trumps quantity. Make sure what you are serving to others is of the highest quality and ultimately quality is defined by how conformed you are to the likeness of Christ in your heart. Spending time with God through the study of the scriptures, prayer, fellowship with others, and obeying the voice of God when He taps you on the shoulder will lead to a weed free garden that is full of beautiful plants.