More Weeds

Galatians 5:13-26

Verse 19-21  The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    We mentioned yesterday how when we let bitterness grow in our lives the roots push out the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives.  We don’t want to lose this fruit as it is the evidence of the new creation He has called us to be.  We need to remember not only to weed out the bitterness and other such “weeds” in our lives but also to cultivate His fruit in our lives so that it is growing in abundance.

    Our passage today gives more than one list.  First is the list of things we need to be weeding out of our life.  Bitterness isn’t the only weed which can grow in our lives if we are not carrying out thoughts and actions which please the Father.  Paul wanted the people of Galatia to know without a doubt what was not acceptable for a person of God to live like.  The Holy Spirit wanted us to know too and so He made sure it was part of Scripture for all ages to learn.

    This list includes many things we don’t want to think about, things we can’t imagine ever being guilty of.  Things we too often get as close to as possible without actually doing.  Maybe not all of them but we can each find at least one or two on this list of weeds which we aren’t fully willing to give up.  Maybe we think it is OK to dabble a little in the fringes of these sinful acts and thoughts, they can’t be that bad after all, can they?

    We read this list and feel good about ourselves knowing those are bad things and we don’t like them, but then we look at the list more deeply and start seeing how we haven’t really done a good job of making sure there is not even a hidden root of these sins in our lives.

    Whether it is the hatred which shows up as bitterness or the witchcraft which we don’t mind as we watch the characters on our favorite TV show hold a séance or maybe it is the scene in a favorite movie which leads our thoughts to things which are no longer pure, there are ways which our lives aren’t as squeaky clean as we would like to think.  These are things He is wanting to weed out of our lives so we can be made new and shine His glory in every area of our lives.

Making It Personal

    Which of the things on this list do you struggle with?  Why do you think it is such a struggle?  How are you going to go about weeding them out of your life?

Making It Personal Kids

    What are some sins you have a hard time giving up?  Why do you think they are hard for you to give up?  Are you willing to give them up for Jesus?

Closing Prayer

    Father, we confess we don’t stay as far away as we should from the evil things of this world.  Please give us the desire to put these sins behind us for good.  Give us hearts which only desire to please You.  In Jesus’ name, amen.