Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

I recently made a profound observation: everybody’s garden has weeds. I thought about this when I finally knuckled down to work on my personal flower bed in the front of the house. As I struggled in what seemed like an unyielding jungle, I lamented the fact that my bed wasn’t as nice as everyone else’s on our road. Then it hit me. Everyone’s garden has weeds. The appearance and beauty depends on the continuing perseverance and attention of each prospective owner. That’s the difference.

As I struggled to clear the bed, one weed at a time, I thought about other things we all deal with. Every human on earth has sin issues. Romans 3:23 tells us, “All have sinned.” This problem doesn’t affect some people and not others. Sin came into the world through one man and now is inherent to every human heart. Every day the honest person who pays attention can recognize the ugly sprouts that regularly manifest themselves in their lives.

But those who ignore the natural tendency to sin allow their faults to overtake them. Like an out-of-control garden our character becomes overrun by worldly desires. These worldly desires will take control when we let ourselves go and don’t pay attention. Sooner or later the outcome reveals devastating decisions, ruined relationships and an unbearable life.

So how do we fix this overarching problem we all face? First, we must recognize that we can’t clear out the weeds on our own. The Bible tells us that those who are God’s children must walk by the Spirit. If we don’t want to gratify the desires of our sinful nature we must pay attention to the Spirit’s promptings and immediately obey. He provides the power necessary and with His help we can overcome.

This “heart weeding” is a daily process. We must continually ask the Spirit to search our hearts to reveal anything growing there that shouldn’t be. With His help we must pull the weeds daily by asking forgiveness and changing our ways.

When we allow God’s Spirit to cultivate our hearts, the fruit that grows comes from Him – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This is a garden we can be pleased to exhibit and that gives God glory.

A few hours passed as I pulled and thought. Finally, I straightened my aching back. The flower bed looked better than it did when I began. But the jungle I started with wasn’t just my own personal problem. Everybody’s garden has weeds. The difference in display and beauty comes from attention and perseverance.

So let’s all weed our own gardens, whether a flower bed or the heart. Attention to the Spirit and perseverance will make all the difference.