Weeding Our Spiritual Garden

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What I Learned in Kindergarten

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Weeding Our Spiritual Garden

by Candyce Carden

My boxwood shrubs were neatly trimmed. The pesky weeds that sprouted beneath them were gone, and the choking ivy ripped away. A fresh layer of pine straw covered the ground. Early spring and my yard was taking shape. Satisfied, I stepped back to admire our handiwork. This year my son and I had taken weed control a step further. We lined the weeded ground with rolls of Weed Block before topping it with soil. The product claimed to eliminate weeds. As it turned out, it only slowed their growth. Eventually, the weeds pushed through the cracks as the plastic weathered and shifted. They were back by the following spring. I learned I had to consistently pull weeds from the roots to maintain a lovely yard. Weeds are like sin. We think we cover it with a blanket prayer that asks God’s forgiveness. We fail to confess specific sins because we’re ashamed, or as in the case of my weeds because the work is unpleasant to face. When we fail to admit our sins before God, they gradually spread, gaining traction. Christians justify our lack of confession because after all, we’re not committing “big” sins. But even those little ones— impatience, partiality, envy, and judgment—can take over our spiritual garden. If we refuse to deal with sin, it chokes the fruit of the Spirit. We can pray, “Father, forgive me of my sin,” and hope that covers it. But this won’t go far in weeding it from our lives. A single action doesn’t eliminate sin.

Three Steps to Weeding Out Sin: 1. Acknowledge, Admit, and Confess

Without admitting we have a problem with sin, we can’t get help. God showed me I needed to confess specific sins. Before I could confess, I had to do the hard work of recognizing and admitting them to myself.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us…and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, NIV).

2. Repent

After confessing, we work to avoid the sin, of stopping it before it takes root. Repenting from sin requires us to turn away from what is wrong and turn instead to God.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19, NIV).

3. Ask for Help

Just as I sought help weeding my garden, we need God’s help to overcome sin. We ask Him to reveal our sin.

We ask for the strength to resist it. And we consistently nourish the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives through prayer and Bible reading.

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13, NIV).

This spring, my yard didn’t require as much prep time because I weeded it throughout the year. I work to do the same with my spiritual garden.

About The Author

Candyce, a Dalton native, invites you to her blog, “Harvesting a Life of Abundance.” The life of abundance Jesus came to give can be elusive for new Christians as well as maturing ones. Seeking the face of God in the ordinary moments of life, being His hands and feet, and nurturing a personal relationship with Him are keys to abundant living.