The other day I was out sprinkling weed killer on a garden when a lady walked by. She said, “You know that stuff doesn’t really work well.” I replied, “I know but I have to try.” She responded with, “You’re the only one who can dig them out by hand.” She’s right. The only effective way to get rid of stubborn weeds is to dig the root out. I often just grab the tops off in haste and leave the roots behind only to see them back in a few days. 

Pharaoh was stubborn too. He had a brief moment of remorse; in Exodus 9:27 he says, “I have sinned this time; the one true Lord is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones.” Before we blast Pharaoh for his temporary remorse, can we display temporary remorse for our sin? Often when I sin I may feel momentary guilt, but I push past it by justifying it, denying it, or blaming others for my sin. Strongholds of sin go deep, have to be dealt with, and can even hold us back. Digging them out requires the hard work of owning, confessing, and repenting of my sin.

Stubborn sin in our lives has a ripple effect. Others around us notice and are affected by it. They may pull back and distance themselves from us. Left unattended the weeds of sin only deepen their roots. Our hearts become cold and spiritual blindness sets in. Strongholds of sin are hard to get rid of. We adjust and learn to live with them. 

Ephesians 3:17-19 helps us put down healthy roots...

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Putting down healthy roots will result in blossoms of peace, contentment, joy and usefulness for His glory. What a wonderful display of God’s majesty and Grace.

That little lady who stopped by my yard was right. I’m the only one who can dig the sin out. Isn’t it interesting that when we weed we are on our knees? Cultivating a healthy spiritual life requires hard work, sometimes on our knees. Nourishing our spiritual soil with God’s Word, confession of sin, and prayer will break the strongholds of sin. It’s a decision only we can make, no one can do it for us.