God's Glory Church

“And I say: walk in the spirit, and do not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16

This spring, our yard was attacked by weeds, as if from “Jurassic Park”. One of them was so big that I, trying to pull it out, was afraid of injuring myself. While looking in the utility room for a shovel to dig up some weeds, I saw my daughter start watering them. “Why are you watering the weeds?!” I exclaimed. “I want to see how big it gets!” – answered the daughter with a mischievous smile.

We never intentionally water weeds. However, I have come to realize that sometimes we water the “weeds” in our spiritual life, indulging in desires that hinder our growth.

The Apostle Paul writes about this in Galatians 5:13-26, where he shows the difference between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit. He says that only following the rules does not free life from “weeds”. Instead, we need to “walk by the spirit.” Paul adds that only constant presence with God frees us from the temptation to satisfy the “lust of the flesh” (v. 16).

It is not easy to fully understand the teachings of the Apostle Paul, but I like the simplicity of his guidance: if we do not want the growth of unwanted selfish desires, we must nurture the fruit of the Spirit, and then we will reap the harvest of a godly life (vv. 22-25).

What areas of your spiritual life need to be cleared of “weeds”? How to dedicate yourself to God and be with Him?

Heavenly Father, sometimes I water the weeds in my life. Help me to be with You so that spiritual fruit grows in me.

Author: Adam Holtz