Tending to the Heart

I've realized the past few days just how much I hate crab grass!!!
While it looks easy enough to get rid of on the surface, all it takes is one pull and you realize how deep it really goes. When you begin pulling and getting to the roots, it seems they're all connected and go so deep you'll never find the core to be completely rid of them!

After a while of pulling today (and being attacked by fire ants), I began to meditate on how much like my heart the garden is. The invasive weeds that overtake our garden are much like the roots of bitterness, anger, selfishness, pride, etc., that I am daily finding new roots which go deep into my heart. On the surface they may seem harmless, but when they are not guarded against or tended to, the roots grow quickly into the depths of our hearts.

The Bible uses the metaphor of fruit when talking about the results/actions that will come about by the Holy Spirit's dwelling in us. We should carefully attend our hearts and guard against thoughts or meditations that could in any way result in or nourish the weeds of sin which so quickly take root and flourish.

"bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ"
-2 Corinthians 10:5

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

-Philippians 4:8

"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. "

-Proverbs 4:23

I pray that in time my heart will properly reflect Christ's beauty as this picture does. Realizing that any fruit produced can only be done through the Holy Spirit, it is to Jesus alone that we attribute any goodness or beauty.
Praise the Lord for leaving the Holy Spirit to sanctify and cleanse His people!

Picture from allposters.com