The church I pastor fights a constant battle. On the left side of our property, grows a fast and invasive vine called kudzu. Each year we have to attack it or else it spreads so rapidly that it will overtake everything in its path. According to Matthew 13:22, you and I face a similar battle.
Kudzu was first introduced to the United States in 1876. It was brought here from Japan and was thought to have many benefits. The United States government even paid farmers to plant the vine, because it prevented soil erosion and added nitrogen. Today, Kudzu can be found primarily in the deep south, and for our property in Northeast Tennessee, it is a constant annoyance.
In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches a parable of how seed falls on various types of soil. He explains that the seed represents the Word of God, and the various soils represent the condition of people’s hearts. For some, their heart represents rocky soil. When we planted shrubbery around our church property, the landscapers were concerned because our church is located in the downtown area. They were afraid the soil was too shallow for the plant to take root. In verse 22, Christ warns about how the seed can be choked out by the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches.
Seeds are precious and they must be nurtured, so it is with the Word of God in our lives. We must take great care to pay attention to God’s Word. Like maintaining a garden that can so quickly be overgrown with weeds or maintaining landscaping that vines can overrun, we must be diligent to fight back the invasiveness of sin. Are the cares of this world smothering the effects of God’s promises in your life? Are you pursuing the deceitfulness of riches, or are you pursuing the will of God? Let us pay close attention that no vine of sin hinders the spiritual growth God desires for us.
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