Getting to the Root of the Matter

As I putter in my garden today, cleaning up weeds around my fruit trees, I come across what appears to be some thriving bushes and small trees. Their lush green growth and increased size should be indicators that they are doing well. On closer examination, I see that what I perceived as full, healthy leaves is actually another tree that has grown up in amongst the fruit tree or bush.

This really annoys me. If I catch the situation early, then the offending tree is much easier to pull out. Pulling out a small seedling can be done by hand without much effort. As much as I try to be careful, inevitably I find some large trees growing where they shouldn’t.

Now the battle begins. I cut off limbs from the unwanted tree, but all I get are pieces of it. The challenge is to get the root out as well as the branches. Usually, by the time I notice the substantial tree, it is too late to take it all out without damaging the main tree.

I can keep trimming off the unwanted tree year after year, but that root stays strong and steady and unmoving.

Sin can have the same effect in our lives. We think that “little” sins won’t make a big difference. So what if I cheated on one test or told one lie to get out of trouble? But each sin that we let take hold is like my tree growing where it doesn’t belong. The transgression takes root and makes itself at home. It doesn’t take much to have an unhealthy pattern of behaviour going.

We fool ourselves if we think that some sins make no difference. In God’s eyes, sin is sin, no matter what its severity.

What do we do when it seems like wrong choices just happen without thinking? God answers this for us in the book of Romans:

“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God.” (Romans 6:11-13 NIV)

I like Paul’s use of the word “reign”. It refers to the power something has over us. So our question is – do we let sin have power in our lives or not?

As long as we live in our earthly bodies, the temptation to sin will be there. The good news is that Jesus died and rose again to free us from our sins.

We do not have the power alone to keep sin from infiltrating our lives. The power we do have is in the saving work of the Cross. With Jesus’ help we can push evil desires aside and focus on

what is good and healthy for our Christian walk. It can be tough at times when we have we put some sins on ignore and they grow and fester within us.

We can remember that the peace of Christ is what calms us and grounds us. He can help us recognize our weak areas and those temptations that seem to get us every time. Jesus can direct us to higher ground and better choices if we are willing to listen to Him.

Paul finishes the Bible verse above with strong words of how to deal with sin. His suggestion is to offer ourselves to God. The more we put ourselves in alignment with God’s plan and purpose for us, the more those nagging sins take a hike.

On this side of heaven, we will never be sinless. We can, however, fight it with God’s Word and with prayer. When sin wants to take root and make its home in your heart and life, look to Jesus.

Enter your email below and don’t miss out on the next blog posts.

We post weekly – Offering hope and encouragement.