Discerning the Weeds

I have also learnt that just because a plant can grow a pretty little flower on it, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a weed!

Proverbs 7:1-27

Reference:  v.18  “Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! (NIV Bible)

Explore:  My gardening skills are not great.  This comes from lack of interest, lack of knowledge and lack of practice. The only time I will get out in the garden is when it’s growing out of control and I have to cut it back before the greenery takes over the house!  Due to my total lacking in this area I often find that instead of pulling out a weed I have actually pulled out a good plant (I guess that gives you an idea of how much I’ve let the weeds grow!).  I have learnt that there are some plants that don’t look incredibly healthy during a particular season, however if you prune them and water them correctly they will come good again.  I have also learnt that just because a plant can grow a pretty little flower on it, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a weed!  Sometimes the weeds can be deceiving and end up looking healthier than the good plants.

Application:  Just as sometimes the weeds can look the healthiest plant, sometimes sin can take on a very appealing appearance too.  If sin was not appealing and luring then it would be a lot easier for us to say no and walk away.  But more often than not sin can present itself like a flower and it’s hard for us to discern what is right and wrong.  While the writer of Proverbs refers directly to adultery, I find that most sins can present themselves in a similar way.  That’s why it is so important that we don’t approach faith the same way as I approach gardening: lacking interest, lacking knowledge and lacking practice.  If we desire to follow God’s ways then we need to discern between the good plants and the weeds.  Sometimes it’s obvious but sometimes it’s not.  We need to keep going back to God and asking for wisdom.  Let’s hope Proverbs can give us some guidance too.

Prayer:  Lord, often we strive to follow you but we can get confused as to what is Your way.  Give us wisdom, perseverance and determination to follow in Your steps.  Amen.

When has sin come across as alluring rather than evil and bad?

Proverbs