by Michael and Karen Steele

It is such a satisfying feeling when one plants their own garden. They are preparing the soil; purchasing the seed, plants and fertilizer; and planting the seed or plants into the ground.

It is so fun to watch the plants grow knowing that, with the help of the Lord, you are providing your own food for your family.

Then, after several days, you stop to look at your garden, and you notice there are now weeds starting to grow among the seedlings and plants. You know the potential hazard for your garden these weeds bring. The weeds will take the nutrients from the ground your crops need. They will take in the very important water, and they will block the sunlight from reaching your plants.

The weeds will take all that your plants need, and it will diminish your yield.

This can happen to the hearts and minds of people as well. You can work hard to plant good seeds, such as reading your Bible, attending church or even participating in various Bible studies. You are working hard to plant good seeds into the soil of your mind, body, spirit and soul.

But there are weeds that can get into your freshly planted thoughts and heart. These weeds are bad thoughts that can be brought in.

These “spiritual weeds” can come from a variety of sources. For instance, different movies we watch, books we read and songs we listen to will have language and content that will plant “weeds” that will stunt and sometimes even stop your growth in the Lord.

These different forms of information seem harmless, but that is exactly how the enemy wants you to feel about them. The enemy wants to plant “weeds” in your mind and heart where there should only be the perfect soil of godly thoughts and feelings.

Any garden takes work. You cannot have a productive garden without occasionally having to get down on your hands and knees and remove the destructive weeds trying to choke out your plants. In the same way, to live a life pleasing to the Lord and having a close relationship with the Lord, it requires this same hard work.

Refuse to let garbage enter you that will cause weeds to choke out your close walk with the Lord. Plant good seeds in the soil of your heart and mind.

The Steeles are members of the Northern Tier Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Farmers International.